Bob Vylan cancels performances in Amsterdam and Tilburg

Paradiso from the water. Photo: M.M.Minderhoud via Wikimedia Commons

British rap-punk act Bob Vylan has cancelled performances in Amsterdam and Tilburg later this year as the support act for gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello over “logistical complications,” they said in a joint statement.

Bob Vylan came under fire last month for political statements made during a performance at the Glastonbury Festival in Britain. Lead vocalist Bobby Vylan was filmed shouting “Death, death to the IDF” and “Free, free Palestine” from the stage, referring to the Israeli Defence Forces.

Amsterdam concert venue Paradiso, where Bob Vylan was scheduled to play on September 12, subsequently received a threat of violence when two masked individuals held up a banner in front of the building displaying the message  “If Bob Vylan plays that night, Amsterdam will stand and fight.”

The identities of those behind the threat remain unknown, but police have been informed and a formal report has been filed, Paradiso director Geert van Itallie told music news website 3voor12 at the time.

Gogol Bordello said possibilities about the band joining them on other tour dates following cancellations in Germany by the tour promoter and venues were “unfortunately logistically impossible”.

Gogol Bordello is “comprised of members from various nationalities and celebrates international understanding consequentially, we value freedom of speech from all perspectives”, the statement said.

Paradiso said the cancellation was not their choice and that they would be looking for an alternative date for Bob Vylan to perform. It is not clear if the same goes for the Tilburg show, which was scheduled for October. Bob Vylan said the band would still be heading for Europe in the coming months to play at festivals and headline shows.

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