British band Massive Attack have pulled out of a concert in Georgia’s capital, Tbilisi, in protest against the government’s “attack on basic human rights”.
The decision to cancel the performance at the Black Sea Arena was first announced by organisers, who claimed that it had been made due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
In a statement issued a few hours later on Wednesday, the trip-hop band clarified that they feared appearing in Georgia would be seen as an endorsement of the country’s political leadership.
Critics at home and abroad have been further alarmed this month by a draft law that would prevent same-sex marriages from being registered and ensure that only “heterosexuals” could adopt children.
At the same time, references to LGBTQ+ people would be erased from public spaces under the draft legislation, and schools would be banned from making available information that supposedly “promotes belonging to the opposite sex, same-sex relations or incest”.
I feel for the fans, but it’s the right signal at a critical time. Artists have the means to sway the public opinion and energize people.
Compare that to the private Foo Fighters gig for Amazon execs, which cost a ton while they were kicking out workers because “every dollar counts”.
Or Sting playing for Microsoft execs on an island retreat.
It’s like, they don’t need the money so what the hell are they doing?
They’re friends, most of the super wealthy are.
I spent way too long trying to figure out who was attacked in Georgia at a gig.
Give 'em a listen
Mezzanine is a fucking banger of an album.
If you’re unfamiliar, the theme to House is a portion of one of their songs. (also just a single facet of their style)
Massive Retreat.
Massive attack, backwards.
kcatta evissaM
[The law] obliges media and civil society organisations with over 20% of their revenues from abroad to register as “organisations serving the interests of a foreign power”.
It’s unreasonable to group same-sex relationships with incest. Incest creates psychological power imbalance and damage even between siblings, so thats not a healthy relationship mode to encourage. The main reason why people care so much about each others relationships is because of the community strife and conflict they can possibly create. It’s absolutely bonkers to include homosexuality in this ban.
This is the best summary I could come up with:
In a statement issued a few hours later on Wednesday, the trip-hop band clarified that they feared appearing in Georgia would be seen as an endorsement of the country’s political leadership.
The US state department has also raised its concerns that the “Kremlin-inspired law” is evidence that the country’s government is realigning with Moscow three decades after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Critics at home and abroad have been further alarmed this month by a draft law that would prevent same-sex marriages from being registered and ensure that only “heterosexuals” could adopt children.
At the same time, references to LGBTQ+ people would be erased from public spaces under the draft legislation, and schools would be banned from making available information that supposedly “promotes belonging to the opposite sex, same-sex relations or incest”.
“Beatings, arrests, threats and violence against peaceful protesters, activists and opponents, along with laws smearing civil society and denying LGBTI rights, go against everything we stand for.”
The Bristol band added that they stood in “solidarity with peaceful protesters in Georgia defying state violence and feel that it is their voices that need to be heard and their struggle that needs to be under the international spotlight”.
The original article contains 397 words, the summary contains 200 words. Saved 50%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!
What is “trip-hop?”
Stahp, every time you say that, an Xer develops arthritis in their knees!
Now where’s my aleve…
I trip then I hop
Things must be rough to tour in Georgia. I heard you pay hookers and junkies on stationary bikes to power the speakers and light show
I don’t get it, can you explain the joke? It looks really funny.
Yeah sure. Isn’t that funny?
You didn’t elaborate.
Oh I’m sorry. Here you go.
They should do a show in the US Georgia instead, which is what the headline made me think of anyway.
For the downvoters, just a reminder that US Georgia is twice as big and has three times the people.
For the downvoters, just a reminder that US Georgia is twice as big and has three times the people.
Georgia has called itself that for five times as long, cope.
five times as long, cope.
Stop calling him Cope. That’s a priestly scarf.
It made me a bit concerned too, with being near Atlanta on work.
Did it sink?
Not yet
I was hoping the headline meant they pulled out of doing a show in Georgia in solidarity with the cop city protesters. But this is good too.
America big!
Third big. Right after Snow Papuasia and Canads.
Georgia has gorgeous women while US Georgia… well…
Checkmate Atheists!!!
Hah.
