Jonny Greenwood and Dudu Tassa Cancel UK Concerts Due to Safety Concerns Amid Political Tensions

Radiohead guitarist Jonny Greenwood has publicly criticized what he describes as ‘censorship’ and ‘intimidation’ after two UK concerts with Israeli musician Dudu Tassa were cancelled due to credible threats received by the venues. The shows, scheduled for June at Bristol Beacon’s Lantern Hall and London’s Hackney Church, were called off after venue staff and promoters determined it was unsafe to proceed. Greenwood and Tassa, who have collaborated for over a decade and released the album ‘Jarak Qaribak’ in 2023, expressed disappointment, noting that the cancellation is being celebrated by campaigners but that they see no positive outcome. The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI), part of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement, supported the cancellations, arguing the performances would have ‘whitewashed’ the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Greenwood’s statement emphasized the importance of artistic freedom and cross-cultural collaboration, highlighting that their group includes musicians from Syria, Lebanon, Kuwait, and Iraq. The musicians lamented being criticized from both political extremes and warned against the politicization of their cancellation. The article also mentions similar controversies involving other artists, such as the Northern Irish group Kneecap, and references Greenwood’s past performances in Israel, which have also drawn criticism. Ticket holders will receive full refunds, and the venues have not commented further.