Jonny Greenwood and Dudu Tassa’s UK Shows Canceled Amid BDS Movement Protests

Johnny Greenwood’s Shows Canceled

Johnny Greenwood attended two British shows featuring Israeli musician Duda Tass, which were canceled following protests from the BDS movement.

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The Controversy Surrounding the Concerts

Over the past two years, in March of this year, the Radiohead guitarist performed several shows with Tassa in Tel Aviv. Following a pair of similar shows last year, the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (Pacbi), the founder of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, described these events as “art genocide.”

The duo was scheduled to perform two shows in the UK next month, at the Bristol Lighthouse on June 23 and the London Church of Khakni on June 25. However, in recent days, it has been confirmed that both shows have been canceled.

In response to the cancellation of the first concert, Pacbi stated on X: “Palestinians welcome the concert of Johnny Greenwood and Duda Tass, which was supposed to take place in Bristol, Great Britain, on June 23, and advise against the Israeli genocide of 2.3 million Palestinians in gas and a fundamental apartheid regime.

The Palestinians welcome the abolition of the concert of Johnny Greenwood and Dudu Tass, which was supposed to take place in Bristol, Great Britain, June 23, and there would be a whitewashed apartheid genocide of 2.3 million Palestinians in gas. pic.twitter.com/pe12H1OHVL

– Pacbi – BDS movement (@pacbi) May 1, 2025

On Friday (May 2), they also responded to the cancellation of the second show: “Update: the Johnny Greenwood show and Duda Tass in the Khakni church was also canceled. Palestinians welcome the abolition of both of their British shows. We reiterate our call to all venues to refuse to program this event, which can only be art-washed genocide.”

Update: the show Johnny Greenwood and Dudu Tass in the Khakni church was also canceled. Palestinians welcome the abolition of both of their British shows. We repeat our call to ensure that all places abandon the programming of this competition, which can only be art. https://t.co/ne2tdxckds

– Pacbi – BDS movement (@pacbi) May 2, 2025

Neither Greenwood nor Tassa have publicly responded to the cancellation of the shows.

Greenwood’s wife, artist Sharon Katan, is Israeli. Their family lost a nephew who served in the Israeli defense forces and was killed during the ongoing war against Hamas.

After the controversial show in Tel Aviv last year, Greenwood commented: “I have collaborated with Duda and released music with him since 2008—long before that as well. I believe that an art project that combines Arab and Jewish musicians is important to remind everyone of the long history of Jewish cultural contributions in different regions, including Yemen.”

“In any case, no art is as important as the cessation of all death and suffering around us. How can it be? Yet nothing seems to be worse than the alternative. Silencing Israeli artists simply for being Jews born in Israel does not seem like a way to foster understanding between the two sides in this clearly endless conflict.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBW6BGDOI3Q

Greenwood concluded: “So, that’s why I am making music with this group. You may disagree or ignore what we are doing, but I hope you now understand the true motivation and can react to the music without suspicion or hatred.”

In a statement to NME, Pacbi remarked: “Performing in apartheid Tel Aviv while Israeli forces harm Palestinians in Rafah is a fact he conveniently overlooks—Johnny Greenwood consciously associates himself with these atrocities. No fan of progressive music can accept this.”

“All Palestinian and Arab musicians should decline to act as a facade for international artists crossing the Palestinian picket line or for Israeli artists entertaining the Israeli forces oppressing Palestinians, as demonstrated repeatedly.”

Greenwood and Tassa released a joint album titled “Jarak Qaribak” in 2023, which translates as “Your neighbor is your friend.” The album features traditional Middle Eastern love songs, recorded with various musicians who provided modern interpretations.

Radiohead has performed in Israel multiple times throughout their career, with their 2017 show being particularly controversial.

The group faced calls to cancel their performance after an open letter, released by the UK Palestine campaign, was signed by musicians including Roger Waters, Thurston Moore, and Young Fathers, asking them to reconsider their decision amidst the ongoing and widespread cultural boycott of the country.

Radiohead fans for Palestine also wrote an open letter to York stating: “These are Palestinian people who asked you to boycott, and if you’re going to justify your show in Tel Aviv, it should be addressed.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jvlo40rwh4i

At a solo exhibition in Australia last October, York faced a vocal protester. “Come and say it. Right here,” he responded to the heckler. “Come to the damn stage and express yourself. But it’s not worth it to act like a coward; come here and let’s talk.”

“Do you want to be known for such actions?”

Meanwhile, Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien called for a ceasefire in Gaza last year. “Like many of you, I found the events from October 7 and what followed too terrible for words. Everything I tried to write feels so inadequate. Now, let’s call for a ceasefire and return the hostages,” he wrote on Instagram.