Muse Faces Backlash Over Istanbul Concert Amidst Political Turmoil
British rock band Muse is under increasing pressure to cancel their upcoming concert in Istanbul, scheduled for June 11, due to backlash against the event's Turkish promoter, Abdulkadir Ozkan. Fans and artists are expressing their outrage following inflammatory remarks made by Ozkan about recent antigovernment protests in Turkey.
The announcement about the Istanbul gig was made on Monday via a post on X, with tickets set to go on sale starting April 3. However, the response was immediate, with many in the artistic community calling for a boycott of the concert. The uproar is tied to Ozkan's comments regarding protests following the arrest of Istanbul’s opposition mayor, Ekrem Imamoglu, a key rival of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Since March 19, Turkey has experienced large-scale protests against the government, which have resulted in a significant crackdown. Reports indicate that nearly 2,000 individuals have been arrested, including numerous students, prompting a campaign urging people to boycott businesses affiliated with Erdogan's administration.
In the midst of escalating pressure, Ozkan announced on Tuesday that DBL Entertainment, the company behind the Muse concert and other events, would withdraw from all its projects. His announcement on X did not provide specific details on the ramifications but indicated their exit as promoters.
The backlash intensified after Ozkan labeled the protests as treasonous, targeting demonstrators and especially calling out the EspressoLab coffee chain, which had become a focal point of protests. His comments ignited outrage online, leading to calls for a boycott of other events organized by his company, including concerts by artists like Robbie Williams and comedian Trevor Noah, with the latter’s performance already being canceled without an explanation.
Influential figures in Turkey's art scene, including playwright Berna Lacin and popular singer Gaye Su Akyol, voiced their disapproval on social media. Lacin urged Muse to cancel the concert, stating, "The young people who were going to come to your concert were thrown in jail. Cancel it and come with another promoter." Akyol echoed this sentiment, declaring her respect for the band but asserting that no one would attend their concert due to Ozkan's affiliations with the pro-government stance.
Norwegian singer Ane Brun also announced her cancellation of a planned performance, stating it was not the right time for such events in Istanbul. Another Turkish artist, Kalben, expressed her refusal to attend the concert, urging Muse to act in solidarity with the pro-democracy movement.
As calls for solidarity grow, many are advocating for artists to take a stand against oppressive actions in Turkey, which could influence future events and expressions of support from international artists. The situation remains fluid as stakeholders monitor the developments surrounding the concert and the political landscape in Turkey.
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