Radiohead's Jonny Greenwood forced to cancel UK shows over 'credible threats'

Radiohead's lead guitarist has cancelled his UK shows due to "credible threats". The musician has collaborated with Israeli-born rocker Dudu Tassa for more than a decade, with the pair set to perform in Bristol and London in June.

They were due to take to the stage at Bristol Beacon's Lantern Hall and London's Hackney Church following the release of their record Jarak Qaribak in 2023.

However, they have now made the decision to cancel their shows. The Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of welcomed the axing of the gigs.

READ MORE:

READ MORE:

They had launched a campaign for the venues to cancel the dates, claiming the duo's performances "would have whitewashed" the war in the Gaza Strip.

In a lengthy statement on social media, Jonny said: "With regret, our shows in Bristol & London, due to take place on June 23rd & 25th have been cancelled.

"The venues and their blameless staff have received enough credible threats to conclude that it's not safe to proceed; promoters of the shows can't be expected to fund our, or our audience's, protection.

"The campaign which has successfully stopped the concerts insist that 'this is not censorship' and 'this isn't about silencing music or attacking individual artists'."

He added: "But its organizers can't have it both ways. Forcing musicians not to perform and denying people who want to hear them an opportunity to do so is self-evidently a method of censorship and silencing.

"Intimidating venues into pulling our shows won't help achieve the peace and justice everyone in the Middle East deserves. This cancellation will be hailed as a victory by the campaigners behind it, but we see nothing to celebrate and don't find that anything positive has been achieved.

"The record we are touring features singers from , Lebanon, Kuwait, and . The group's ancestral and musical roots are centuries old: in Iraq, Yemen, Syria, Turkey, and all across the Middle East - each of the members brought together by a shared love of Arabic song, regardless of where exactly they all happened to be born."

He added: "We believe art exists above and beyond politics; that art that seeks to establish the common identity of musicians across borders in the Middle East should be encouraged, not decried; and that artists should be free to express themselves regardless of their citizenship or their religion - and certainly regardless of the decisions made by their governments.

"This project has always had a difficult, narrow channel to navigate. We find ourselves in the odd position of being condemned by both ends of the political spectrum."

Jonny continued: "We feel great admiration, love and respect for all the performers in this band, especially the Arab musicians and singers who have shown amazing bravery and conviction in contributing to our first record, and in touring with us.

"Their artistic achievements are toweringly important, and we hope one day you will get to hear us play these songs - love songs mostly - together with us, somewhere, somehow.

"If that happens, it won't be a victory for any country, religion, or political cause. It'll be a victory for our shared love and respect of the music - and of each other. Jonny Greenwood, Dudu Tassa and the musicians."

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on , , , , , and .