Performance Cancellation in Berlin
The capital of the murder delivered an impassioned speech outside the Berlin venue after their concert was canceled due to their intention to display the Palestinian flag.
- READ MORE: The capital of the murder of “Words Lost mean” and talk about the new album “blindness”: “It is powerful to know how much you do not see”
The Irish group was scheduled to perform at the Gretchen club in Germany’s capital on Saturday evening (May 10) as part of their world tour promoting the third album “Blindness,” released in February.
However, local authorities canceled the show upon discovering the band’s plan to display the Palestinian flag on stage during their speech, a practice they had engaged in at all their recent shows.
In response, the group addressed a crowd of fans outside the venue and shared their words on Instagram. They continued with an impromptu acoustic performance for those gathered.
Frontman James McGovern, holding the Palestinian flag, articulated the group’s stance on the matter. “We arrived in Berlin this morning and were unaware that displaying this flag would be prohibited today,” he mentioned. “We learned this early in the afternoon. This reflects our perspective as a group.”
Statement from the Group
“We discussed this for an hour about what we should do, and ultimately decided that we would not take the flag down. This was relatively easily accepted, but we weighed the potential consequences – what if they chose to cancel the show? We thought about all of you on stage because we care about you deeply, and this influenced our decision to keep the flag on stage.”
He added that they considered replacing the flag with a banner reading “Free Palestine,” but authorities would not allow that either. “So this isn’t solely about national flags; these are political statements,” he emphasized.
“For us, this transcends merely a political statement; it is a humanitarian statement. In every interview, we have reiterated this point. This is about the individuals who face suffering and violence every day, and it is unfolding right now.”
“Thus, for us as a group that has displayed this flag on stage countless times, it would be wrong to remove it now just to placate the venue. We cannot agree with that.”
“We want music, art, and theater to exist independently of political discussions; however, as we see in the world, this is unfortunately not the case. We will return to you as soon as we can, and we deeply appreciate your support but, most importantly, we advocate for a free Palestine.”
Broader Context and Continuing Support
Look at the clip of the subsequent acoustic performance of the group outside the aforementioned venue, captured by a fan.
Germany has stringent laws against hate speech and anti-Semitism, and the planned performances in the country were recently canceled in light of their outspoken remarks during Coachella and elsewhere regarding the current actions of the Israeli government.
The backlash against their stance prompted numerous prominent artists to sign a letter from their label, “Heavenly,” advocating for “freedom of expression of opinions” among artists. The letter states: “In a democracy, political figures or parties should not dictate who performs at music festivals or concerts enjoyed by thousands.”
The group has consistently supported Gaza and the Palestinian people, allocating profits from their single “Love for the Country” to aid Palestine. McGovern stated that the song addresses the “dark side of patriotism and nationalism, especially when warped and weaponized.”
In a press release, he asserted: “Globally, we witness a contagion of hatred toward ‘the other.’ Few claims to land today are as barbaric as the ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people.”
“We are releasing a 7-inch record “Love for the Country,” and 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit Palestine. In light of such undeniable acts of cruelty, it is more essential than ever to cherish the richness of our diverse communities and the power of human connection. We must robustly resist the rise of nationalist ideologies and advocate for those whose lives are torn apart by hatred and violence.”
The group also addressed the issue with NME last year: “Nationalism, patriotism, and related themes are currently hot topics for various reasons: the genocide taking place in Palestine, the re-election of Trump. Discussions around Irish identity continually resurface, often due to pride in our historical injustices, while individuals are fueled by hatred towards ‘the other.’”
NME described “Blindness” as emblematic of this struggle, noting: “Love for the Country,” recorded in one live take, offers a deep meditation on the tensions between patriotism, nationalism, and xenophobia, showcasing McGovern’s songwriting at its sharpest.
The group is set to headline their largest show yet at Ivega Gardens in Dublin on July 19, joined by special guests Soft Play and Mary in a landfill. Find remaining tickets here.
Other upcoming highlights include support for Maccabees during their East 2025 dates in London on August 24 (tickets here) and performances at ROSK ROCK N ROLL’s Rock N Roll in Sheffield on August 27 and 28 (tickets here).
https://www.nme.com/news/music/watch-the-murder-capital-talk-having-berlin-gig-pulled-for-flying-palestinian-flag-this-is-not-a-political-statement-its-a-humanitarian-statement-3861947?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=watch-the-murder-capital-talk-having-berlin-gig-pulled-for-flying-palestinian-flag-this-is-not-a-political-statement-its-a-humanitarian-statement
