Muse postpone Turkish concert amid protests
Muse have postponed their show in Istanbul, Türkiye, after the boss of promoter DBL Entertainment criticised anti-government protesters.
The British trio had announced a performance at Festival Park Yenikapı on 11 June, but say the gig will now go ahead next year with a different promoter.
“After careful consideration and hearing the feedback from our fans whilst fully respecting their concerns, our show in Istanbul will be now postponed until 2026 so we can ensure DBL Entertainment will not be involved,” says a statement posted to the band’s social channels.
The move follows a backlash over comments by DBL chief Abdulkadir Özkan, who slammed the actions of some protesters – who have taken to the streets after the arrest of Istanbul’s opposition mayor Ekrem Imamoglu on corruption charges – as an “act of treason”.
The protesters allege Imamoglu’s arrest is a political move by president Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Posting on X, Özkan wrote: “Plain and simple, this is hostility towards the capital,” but has since attempted to clarify his comments. He adds that he is taking legal action “against those responsible for defamation, incitement, unfair competition, and economic interference”.
In a statement released to IQ by the promoter’s legal counsel, Özkan says he made it clear that his remarks were aimed at “a small group of violent provocateurs and that peaceful protest is a fundamental constitutional right”. He went on to add that “while protest is vital, violence under its cover is not”.
“For years, DBL Entertainment has operated independently to bring some of the most iconic artists in the world to Türkiye”
Furthermore, Özkan says he has been subject to a “sustained campaign of disinformation and coordinated attacks” that have caused “millions of material and measurable damages, ranging from concert cancellations to reputational injury”.
“Let’s be clear: For years, his company, DBL Entertainment has operated independently – without political or government support – to bring some of the most iconic artists in the world to Türkiye,” it continues. “And yet, Mr. Özkan’s has been targeted in ways that defy both common sense and the law.
“We are actively pursuing all legal remedies available under Turkish and international law. More proceedings are imminent against anyone engaged in unlawful conduct, including contractual breaches, malicious misrepresentations, and coordinated defamation.
“Our clients have invested years in building a business that brings cultural events to Türkiye and supports a wide ecosystem of creative and technical professionals. That work will not be sacrificed to bad-faith campaigns or opportunistic misinformation.”
Nearly 2,000 people – many of them students – have been detained by police since 19 March. Turkish Minute reports the announcement of the Muse concert cancellation came on a nationwide “no-buy” day called by Turkey’s main opposition leader Özgür Özel, who encouraged citizens to halt purchases at supermarkets, restaurants, gas stations and online platforms in protest at the mass detention.
Ane Brun and Trevor Noah also joined the boycott and pulled their shows, while Robbie Williams has faced calls to axe his 7 October concert in Istanbul.
Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.