Travis Scott's Egypt pyramids concert CANCELLED: Live Nation axes show due to 'complex production issues' days after insisting show WOULD go ahead amid musicians' union furore
Travis Scott's planned concert at Egypt's famed Giza pyramids has been cancelled due to 'complex production issues' just two days before the planned show date - Live Nation confirmed in a statement on Wednesday.
Scott's UTOPIA show was due to go ahead on July 28 - but Live Nation announced they have pulled the plug on the show in a statement on Twitter. This comes just eight days after Live Nation denied the gig was cancelled after the Egyptian Syndicate of Musical Professions said it would not allow Scott's planned concert.
The syndicate made the rare move citing offense to 'traditions,' as well as safety concerns in the wake of Scott's Astroworld festival disaster that left 10 people dead in 2021.
Live Nation's statement reads: 'We regret to inform you that the Utopia show, originally scheduled for July 28th at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt is cancelled.
'Unfortunately, despite highest efforts, complex production issues meant that the show could not be constructed in the desert.
Axed: Travis Scott's planned concert at Egypt's famed Giza pyramids has been cancelled due to 'complex production issues' just two days before the planned show date - Live Nation confirmed in a statement on Wednesday. The rapper was pictured in Cannes in May
'We understand that this news is disappointing and not the outcome any of us desired.
'Refunds will be issued to all ticket holders at their point of purchase. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this cancellation may have caused and appreciate your understanding.
'We remain committed to bringing exceptional live performances to fans and hope to have the opportunity to do so in the future.'
On Tuesday July 18, Live Nation told Billboard in a statement: 'There have been no changes to Travis Scott's show in Egypt.
'Any reports to the contrary are false. We can't wait to celebrate Utopia with you in Egypt!'
International music stars often perform at the feet of Egypt's famed pyramids near the capital Cairo.
The Egyptian Syndicate of Musical Professions rarely opposes such events, but in recent years has spearheaded a fight against musical genres deemed improper in Egypt, with rap a frequent target.
Egypt has also increasingly opposed what it views as a 'rewriting' of its history, finding fault with African-American movements that claim cultural affiliation to the ancient pharaohs.
International music stars often perform at the feet of Egypt's famed pyramids near the capital Cairo. Pictured earlier this month
Not to be: Scott's UTOPIA show was due to go ahead on July 28 - but Live Nation announced they have pulled the plug on the show in a statement on Twitter
The union, which oversees all matters relating to live or recorded music in the Arab world's most populous nation, said in a statement on Tuesday that Scott's concert would 'go against our traditions.'
The union said it does not intervene in any musical performances so long as they 'do not undermine the ancestral customs and traditions of the Egyptian people.'
The union's Dr. Mohamed Abdullah said that union leaders sought to cancel the license 'after examining social media opinions and feedback ... which included authenticated images and information about peculiar rituals performed by the star during his performance.'
Abdullah said the rituals were in contradiction of 'our authentic societal values and traditions ... which goes against the cultural identity of the Egyptian people.'
Abdullah cited the organization 'as the entity responsible for issuing licenses for music and singing concerts in Egypt in a statement regarding the decision over Scott,' according to Egypt Today.
Abdullah said the union 'has set conditions and regulations to safeguard the customs and traditions inherited by the Egyptian people.'
It however does not specify which 'rituals' the union attributes to the hip-hop heavyweight, who is currently on a world tour.
Egyptian union leaders sought to cancel the license 'after examining social media opinions and feedback ... which included authenticated images and information about peculiar rituals performed by the star during his performance.' (Pictured earlier this month in London)
Scott was seen onstage on the tragic evening of November 5, 2021, when a crowd surge led to the deaths of 10 fans
The union also cited 'the safety and protection of the audience,' less than two years after 10 people were killed following a crowd surge at Scott's Astroworld music festival on November 5, 2021 at NRG Park in the rapper's native Houston.
In the tragic incident, 10 victims ranging from the ages of nine to 27 died from compression asphyxia amid the crowd surge, which left almost 2,400 people in need of medical help.
Last month, a grand jury announced that the rapper born no criminal responsibility in the deadly incident, as a 19-month probe came to an end.
Scott's attorney Kent Schaffer told Billboard said that the ruling handed down by the grand jury signified that Scott was 'not responsible for the Astroworld tragedy.'
Schaffer said, 'This is consistent with investigative reporting by numerous media outlets and federal and state government reports that have squarely placed the onus for event safety crises on organizers, operators and contractors - not performers.'
The rapper 'has been inaccurately and wrongly singled out, despite stopping the show three separate times and being unaware of the events as they were unfolding,' his lawyer said, adding that Scott and his camp were 'hoping for the government efforts to focus on what is most important - stopping future heartbreaking tragedies like Astroworld from ever occurring again.'
Source: Daily Mail
