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SXSW responds to criticism amid artist boycott

South By Southwest (SXSW) says it “fully” respects the decision of dozens of artists to pull out of this year’s event in protest of the festival’s ties to the US Army and defence industry.

Acts such as Squirrel Flower, Kneecap, Lambrini Girls, Sprints, Proper, Eliza McLamb, Mamalarky, Scowl, Gel and Okay Shalom cancelled scheduled sets in response to the military’s support for Israel in the war in Gaza.

SXSW 2024 runs in Austin, Texas, from 8-16 March and typically attracts more than 300,000 attendees to each annual edition.

The army is listed as a “super sponsor” of the event, which has also agreed a number of defence industry partnerships.

Texas governor Greg Abbott posted yesterday (12 March) on X: “Bands pull out of SXSW over US Army sponsorship. Bye. Don’t come back. Austin remains the HQ for the Army Futures Command. San Antonio is Military City USA. We are proud of the US military in Texas. If you don’t like it, don’t come here.”

The tweet prompted a response from SXSW, which stressed it “does not agree” with Abbott’s viewpoint.

“We fully respect the decision these artists made to exercise their right to free speech”

“We are an organisation that welcomes diverse viewpoints,” it said via its official social media accounts. “Music is the soul of SXSW, and it has long been our legacy. We fully respect the decision these artists made to exercise their right to free speech.

“Across the globe, we are witnessing unspeakable tragedies, the rise of repressive regimes, and the increasing spread of violent conflict. It’s more crucial than ever that we come together to solve these greater humanitarian issues.”

The festival went on to explain its reasoning regarding the controversial sponsorship agreements.

“The defence industry has historically been a proving ground for many of the systems we rely on today,” it said. “These institutions are often leaders in emerging technologies, and we believe it’s better to understand how their approach will impact our lives.

“The Army’s sponsorship is part of our commitment to bring forward ideas that shape our world. In regard to Collins Aerospace, they participated this year as a sponsor of two SXSW Pitch categories, giving entrepreneurs visibility and funding for potentially game-changing work.

“We have and will continue to support human rights for all. The situation in the Middle East is tragic, and it illuminates the heightened importance of standing together against injustice.”

 


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Artists withdraw from SXSW over Israel-Gaza war

A number of artists are boycotting this year’s South By Southwest (SXSW) in protest of the event’s sponsorship deal with the US Army.

The BBC reports that acts including Kneecap, Lambrini Girls, Sprints, Proper, Eliza McLamb, Mamalarky, Scowl, Gel, Okay Shalom and Squirrel Flower have pulled out of the conference and showcase festival in response to the military’s support for Israel in the war in Gaza.

The army is listed as a “super sponsor” of SXSW, which is currently being held in Austin, Texas, from 8-16 March.

Belfast rap trio Kneecap, who were due to play three shows, say they will no longer perform “in solidarity with the Palestinian people”.

“We cannot in good conscience attend an arts festival that has ‘the US Army’ as a ‘super sponsor’ and is platforming RTX (formerly Raytheon), Collins Aerospace and BAE Systems,” says in a series of statements shared by the group on social media.

“We did consider only playing ‘unofficial events’ but this would still contribute to the festival indirectly.”

“We can’t affiliate ourselves whatsoever with SXSW without our solidarity becoming totally inauthentic”

The band say the decision will have “a significant financial impact on Kneecap, both on lost income and on logistical costs already incurred”, but add: “it isn’t an iota of hardship when compared with unimaginable suffering” of the people of Gaza.

Earlier, Brighton duo Lambrini Girls announced their withdrawal, tweeting on X: “We won’t be going to Austin whatsoever. For transparency, the reason it’s taken us a few days to pull out the festival is because we received funding from PRS Foundation to play. We were trying to find a way out of the situation whilst keeping our moral integrity intact and not having to pay thousands of pounds at the same time.

“That really just isn’t possible. Money has to be repaid and we can’t affiliate ourselves whatsoever with SXSW without our solidarity becoming totally inauthentic.”

In addition, Squirrel Flower tweeted that she was pulling out of her official SXSW showcases “in protest of SXSW’s ties to the defence industry and in support of the Palestinian people”, while Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Okay Shalom posted on Instagram: “There’s always a right thing to do and it’s almost never as complicated as the establishment wants you to believe. and sometimes it costs you a dream, but a dream is a dream and not a life.”

The US Army tells the BBC it was “proud to be a sponsor of SXSW, and to have the opportunity to showcase America’s Army… explore new ideas and insights, and create dynamic industry partnerships,” while SXSW did not respond to a request for comment.

 


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Supernova survivors sue Israeli government for $56m

Forty-two survivors of the 7 October massacre at Israel’s Supernova Sukkot festival are suing the government’s security forces for NIS 200 million ($56 million) in damages.

The plaintiffs filed the claim at the Tel Aviv District Court on Monday (1 January) against the Shin Bet security service, the Israel Defense Forces, the Israel Police, and the Defense Ministry, alleging multiple instances in which they failed in their duties.

“One phone call separated the plaintiffs’ lives and the integrity of their bodies and souls from the destruction of their lives,” reads the lawsuit, which is the largest tort claim ever filed in Israel against the state.

“A single phone call by IDF officials to the commander responsible for the party to disperse it immediately in view of the expected danger would have saved lives and prevented the physical and mental injuries of hundreds of partygoers, including the plaintiffs,” it continues. “The negligence and the gross oversight is beyond belief.”

According to the lawsuit, 364 attendees were killed and 40 kidnapped after Hamas stormed the second day of the trance music gathering, held near the Gaza-Israel border, as part of a wider coordinated attack on Israel. The festival, near Kibbutz Re’im, was attended by 3,500.

The claim cited reports following the massacre, which claimed senior officers in the Gaza Division expressed concerns over the party, and that the operations commander opposed it being held. It also noted that Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar held consultations the night before, and even sent a special operations team to the border the night before the onslaught.

“On the night between October 6 and October 7, at least two IDF assessments were held due to unusual incidents on the Gaza Strip border, one near midnight and another assessment close to 3 am, several hours before the Hamas attack,” the lawsuit reads.

“The negligence and the gross oversight is beyond belief”

The plaintiffs said that the IDF was unable to provide adequate security for the event since many soldiers were at home over the Simchat Torah holiday. Only 27 police officers were stationed at the festival, most of them not in possession of long arms, as required when based near the border.

Attorney Shimon Buchbut, a retired Air Force commander cited as an expert in the lawsuit, said that the IDF was negligent in giving approval for the party and that any reasonable official would not have allowed it to go ahead.

Among the damages listed in the lawsuit are loss of earnings, pain and suffering, loss of life’s pleasures, loss of future earnings, and medical expenses.

Executives from Israel’s live music industry have called the Hamas attack the “biggest-ever disaster at a music festival”, adding that business will be paused for the foreseeable future.

Festival organiser Tribe of Nova said it was “shocked and pained” in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy.

“This is the epitome of pure and unbridled evil, the horrifying and senseless murder of countless innocent angels, whose only ‘crime’ was being Jewish and living in Israel,” it added.

Nearly three months into the war, the death toll from Israeli attacks on Gaza surpassed 22,000 yesterday (3 January), according to reports from The Guardian.

 


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Israel holds memorial at Supernova festival site

A memorial service has been held at the festival site in Israel where Hamas killed 364 concertgoers and took dozens of others hostage.

Hamas stormed the Supernova Sukkot trance music gathering, held in the desert near Kibbutz Re’im, less than 5km from the Gaza Strip, on 7 October as part of the coordinated attacks on Israel.

According to Boise State Public Radio, yesterday’s memorial featured music from Israeli DJs, while the faces of the victims were projected onto screens. The event was hastily put together as the army had given clearance only four days before.

“The charred cars have been hauled away, and roads are being repaved, but there are still a few mangled beach chairs and broken coolers,” reports NPR‘s Eleanor Bardsley.

The Jerusalem Post states that Israeli DJ RITMO paid a separate tribute to the victims yesterday morning by playing a set in front of their photos, which were hung up onto wooden posts in the otherwise empty field. An Israeli flag made out of sunflowers was placed in front of the photos.

Supernova was attended by around 4,000 people, but while the attack was the deadliest ever assault on a music event, police believe the perpetrators only became aware a major event was taking place in the Re’im area and headed towards it after police began dispersing festival-goers because of the wider attacks.

Supernova was organised by promoter Tribe of Nova and was staged under Brazil’s Universo Paralello brand

The death toll from the massacre was initially estimated to be at least 260 people, but has since been raised by more than 100. A 21-year-old woman abducted from the festival was among the 17 hostages freed by Hamas last weekend on the second day of the Israel-Hamas truce.

Supernova was organised by promoter Tribe of Nova and was staged under Brazil’s Universo Paralello brand. Acts included Artifex, Aladin, Astral Projection, Flare, Jackalon, Jumpstreet, Kido, Libra, Man With no Name, Noface, Protonica, Rocky Tilbor, Shove, Spectra Sonics, Swarup and Wegha.

Executives from Israel’s live music industry have called the Hamas attack the “biggest-ever disaster at a music festival”, adding that business will be paused for the foreseeable future.

Tribe of Nova’s Omri Sassi and Nimrod Arnin paid tribute to the victims at an official memorial ceremony held earlier this month at Kibbutz Sdot Yam.

“We went through something that we had no control over, we will take care of everyone and help everyone,” they said. “We love the country. We will dance again and that will be our victory.”

Sassi and Arnin, who both lost relatives in the 7 October attack, also reportedly staged a tribute concert for the victims in Sdot Yam, a kibbutz near Caesarea.

 


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Israel festival death toll raised by 100

The death toll from the massacre at Israel’s Supernova festival has been raised to more than 360, according to a new report.

It was originally reported that at least 260 people were killed and dozens taken hostage after Hamas stormed the psy-trance music gathering, held in the desert near Kibbutz Re’im, not far from the Gaza Strip, last month.

The Times of Israel, via TV station Channel 12, reports the revised death count equates to a third of the 1,200 people killed in the coordinated 7 October attacks on Israel and makes up half of all civilian casualties.

Supernova was attended by around 4,000 people, but while the attack was the deadliest ever assault on a music event, police believe Hamas was unaware of the festival in the lead-up to the massacre.

Channel 12 says that investigators reached that conclusion after questioning of captured terrorists, and also because they did not find maps on the bodies of dead terrorists directing them to the event, in contrast to the other massacres that day.

“We will dance again and that will be our victory”

The TV report added that police believe the perpetrators only became aware a major event was taking place in the Re’im area and headed towards it after police began dispersing festival-goers because of the wider attacks.

Supernova Sukkot organisers Tribe of Nova paid tribute to the victims at an official memorial ceremony last week.

“We went through something that we had no control over, we will take care of everyone and help everyone,” said Omri Sassi and Nimrod Arnin at the memorial, held at Kibbutz Sdot Yam. “We love the country. We will dance again and that will be our victory.”

Staged under the Universo Paralello brand, the Brazil-hailing festival was being held in Israel for the first time. Acts included Artifex, Aladin, Astral Projection, Flare, Jackalon, Jumpstreet, Kido, Libra, Man With no Name, Noface, Protonica, Rocky Tilbor, Shove, Spectra Sonics, Swarup and Wegha.

Executives from Israel’s live music industry have called the Hamas attack the “biggest-ever disaster at a music festival”, adding that business will be paused for the foreseeable future.

 


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Supernova fest organisers: ‘We will dance again’

Organisers of Israel’s Supernova Sukkot festival have paid tribute to the victims of the massacre at an official memorial ceremony.

At least 260 people were killed and others taken hostage in the deadliest-ever attack on a music event after Hamas stormed the second day of the trance music gathering, held near the Gaza-Israel border on 7 October, as part of a wider coordinated attack on Israel.

“We went through something that we had no control over, we will take care of everyone and help everyone,” said Omri Sassi and Nimrod Arnin of promoter Tribe of Nova during this week’s memorial, held at Kibbutz Sdot Yam. “We love the country. We will dance again and that will be our victory.”

Staged under the Universo Paralello brand, the festival had attracted around 3,000 people to the desert near Kibbutz Re’im, not far from the Gaza Strip. Acts included Artifex, Aladin, Astral Projection, Flare, Jackalon, Jumpstreet, Kido, Libra, Man With no Name, Noface, Protonica, Rocky Tilbor, Shove, Spectra Sonics, Swarup and Wegha.

Sassi lost four relatives in the attack, while Arnin lost his sister.

“At the happiest and most intense moment of the day, terrorists came bursting in, launched a missile attack and started murdering people”

Speaking to Walla News, via National Post, the pair added: “The Nova community suffered the largest number of murders. This was the largest event we have done to date, a lot of people came from abroad to spend time at the event.

“At some point, at the height of the event, at sunrise, at the happiest and most intense moment of the day, terrorists came bursting in, launched a missile attack and started murdering people.”

Tribe of Nova has launched a fundraiser to support victims.

“We send endless love and a big big hug to all the members of the tribe, while wishing a speedy and complete recovery to all the wounded and injured and praying for the strengthening of their families and the spouses of the murdered,” says the organisation. “We will not leave anyone behind, we will spread this one and only truth to the rest of the world and bring out a bright and strong light that will accompany us in all our actions, until good prevails over evil.”

Executives from Israel’s live music industry called the Hamas attack the “biggest-ever disaster at a music festival”, adding that business will be paused for the foreseeable future.

The BBC reports that 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 taken hostage in Hamas’ 7 October attacks, while the Hamas-run health ministry says more than 11,000 people have been killed in retaliatory strikes by Israel, including 4,500 children.

 

 


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MTV EMAs cancelled out of ‘abundance of caution’

The 2023 MTV EMAs have been cancelled “out of an abundance of caution” amid the escalation of the Israel-Gaza conflict.

First held in Berlin, Germany in 1994, the annual awards show was due to take place in France at Paris Nord Villepinte on Sunday 5 November and broadcast live in more than 150 countries.

Around a dozen acts had been lined up to perform including Anne-Marie, David Guetta, Thirty Seconds to Mars, Jung Kook, Rema, Sabrina Carpenter and The Kid Laroi. Paris last hosted the awards in 1995.

“Given the volatility of world events, we have decided not to move forward with the 2023 MTV EMAs out of an abundance of caution for the thousands of employees, crew members, artists, fans, and partners who travel from all corners of the world to bring the show to life,” says a statement from awards organiser Paramount.

“As we watch the devastating events in Israel and Gaza continue to unfold, this does not feel like a moment for a global celebration”

As per the BBC, Palestinian health officials say more than 3,700 people have been killed in Gaza since Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October, killing more than 1,400 people. At least 260 people were killed after Hamas stormed trance music festival Supernova Sokkot as part of the coordinated offensive.

“The MTV EMAs are an annual celebration of global music,” adds the statement. “As we watch the devastating events in Israel and Gaza continue to unfold, this does not feel like a moment for a global celebration. With thousands of lives already lost, it is a moment of mourning. Voting is continuing and the winning artists will receive their MTV EMA Awards.”

Paramount adds that it is looking forward to hosting the MTV EMAs again in November 2024.

France has been on its highest security alert since the fatal stabbing of a schoolteacher in the town of Arras last week.

 


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Supernova tragedy: Promoter issues new statement

The company behind Israel’s Supernova Sukkot festival has issued a fresh statement in response to the 7 October massacre.

At least 260 people were killed after Hamas stormed the second day of the trance music gathering, held near the Gaza-Israel border, as part of a wider coordinated attack on Israel.

Festival organiser Tribe of Nova said it was “shocked and pained” in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, and have now posted a lengthy update on its Facebook page.

Expressing its “sincere and heartfelt condolences to all the families, friends, partners and couples who have lost their loved ones or have been affected by the tragic events”, the promoter adds: “What was planned to be the happiest and largest electronic music festival of the Nova Tribe has turned into a scene of unspeakable tragedy, an inhumane war crime, an unprecedented violation of the most basic human values.

“This is the epitome of pure and unbridled evil, the horrifying and senseless murder of countless innocent angels, whose only ‘crime’ was being Jewish and living in Israel.

“It’s no wonder that these agents of darkness targets this joyous gathering of children of light, for their sole and singular purpose is to bring darkness upon the world. But we won’t let them do that! We will keep fighting until we reach our objective adorned on our tribe’s flag: to spread light throughout the world, with the help of the holy people of Israel and the Nova Tribe.”

“This was the largest terrorist attack in Israeli history”

According to the BBC, Israel says that 199 people are being held hostage in Gaza after Hamas gunmen infiltrated Israel just over a week ago, killing more than 1,400 people. More than 2,700 people in Gaza have reportedly been killed in retaliatory strikes by Israel.

Held as part of Brazilian festival franchise Universo Paralello, Supernova featured artists such as Aladin, Artifex, Astral Projection, Flare, Jackalon, Jumpstreet, Kido, Libra, Man With no Name, Noface, Protonica, Rocky Tilbor, Shove, Spectra Sonics, Swarup and Wegha.

“We were brutally attacked by hundreds of terrorists, heartless, ruthless and lacking any mercy,” continues Tribe of Nova. “They murdered in cold blood hundreds of women and men, our beloved Tribe of Nova members, as well as numerous innocent Israeli civilians.

“It was a heinous, terrifying, brutal massacre of innocent civilians from all over the country and the world, the best and most among us. This was the largest terrorist attack in Israeli history. Taking the lives of 1,400 pure and innocent souls with over 150 remain[ing] missing, thousands left physically injured to varying degrees, and tens of thousands psychologically, emotionally and mentally broken.”

Executives from Israel’s live music industry have called the Hamas attack the “biggest-ever disaster at a music festival”, adding that business will be paused for the foreseeable future.

“Our production team is focused on providing the right and extensive emotional and mental support to everyone involved”

The Kibbutz Re’im festival site is still not entirely secure even after days of fighting, with Tribe of Nova working “day and night” to assist with search and rescue operations.

“At this moment, our production team is focused on providing the right and extensive emotional and mental support to everyone involved. This is the most important thing in this moment,” adds the promoter.

“We are working tirelessly, day and night, conducting search and rescue operations, helping identify the victims and updating their families. Searching for those located in the disaster area, or other locations, recovering equipment from the site and its surroundings and, above all, ensuring the security of Israel. This is our sole goal, and we will stand behind it and fulfil it to the best of our abilities. We will not stop.

“We are present at the disaster site and its vicinity day in and day out, working hand in hand with security forces and authorities to help find answers and bring back all that those who can return to their families and friends. At the moment, this is our top priority. In the meantime, it’s essential for us to convey the following message: Our strength lies in our unity! We are in a war for our home, and it’s essential that we all come together, strengthen each other, and unite under one great, shining light to overcome this dark period as quickly as possible.”

Meanwhile, the German Music Council, the Music Industry Forum, GEMA and GVL have declared their solidarity with the people of Israel in the wake of the attack.

“The German Music Council and the Music Industry Forum join the German Cultural Council’s call for solidarity with the people of Israel and are horrified by the attacks on civilians,” says a joint statement. “Hamas’ terrorist attack and the suffering it has brought to people are beyond words and a new, terrible wake-up call that anti-Semitism must have no place in our society.

“We stand against anti-Semitic hatred and our condolences go out to the victims and their families who were deliberately chosen as targets of terror and torn from their lives. The German music industry stands with Jews against any form of anti-Semitism.”

 

 


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Supernova: Survivors return to site, victims named

In the wake of the massacre at Supernova festival in Israel, a number of international citizens who attended the event have been confirmed missing or dead, with one promoter telling IQ the conflict is “the hardest moment in Israel’s history”.

At least 260 people have been killed and others abducted in last Saturday’s attack by terrorists.

Even after days of fighting, the Kibbutz Re’im festival site (less than 5km from the Gaza Strip) is not entirely secure and Israeli forces are said to be on edge.

On Thursday evening two shots reportedly cracked over the festival site, and soldiers arrested a man they said was a terrorist suspect who was carrying a knife. Hours earlier, the area had been shut to media as Israeli forces dealt with a “suspected infiltration”.

Security guards are currently manning the site and some civilians have returned to collect possessions from the wreckage.

Meanwhile, BBC yesterday confirmed five international victims of the brutal assault at Supernova festival.

British citizen Jake Marlowe (26), who was working security at Supernova, was confirmed dead by the country’s embassy in London.

Even after days of fighting, the Kibbutz Re’im festival site is not entirely secure

One of Marlowe’s friends told inews that he was a “well-noted musician in the UK metal and hardcore scene” and was “known for playing the drums and the bass guitar. He’s toured all over the world, especially with his band Desolated”.

Citizens that are believed to have been abducted from Supernova are a 26-year-old named Avidan from France, a German-Israeli woman called Shani Louk and a Chinese-Israeli woman named Noa Argamani.

A 22-year-old Irish-Israeli woman named Kim Danti is unaccounted for. RTÉ, the country’s national broadcaster, reports that she was last seen at the music festival.

Executives from Israel’s live music industry have called the Supernova massacre the “biggest-ever disaster at a music festival” and some say business will be paused for the foreseeable future.

“This is the hardest moment in Israel’s history,” Hillel Wachs of local promoter 2b Vibes today told IQ. “Over 900 people were butchered ISIS-style and the body count continues. This will significantly set back the live industry and clearly complicate our efforts to promote shows. I imagine 2024 will be relatively quiet. Our biggest hope now is that everyone returns home safely and this ends as soon as possible. Our thoughts are with the families of victims.”

Israel said that 1,300 people were killed during rocket attacks and deadly raids into Israeli territory by fighters from the Hamas terrorist group. More than 3,000 people have been wounded. Israel said Thursday it had so far confirmed the identities of 97 hostages taken to Gaza.

Officials in Gaza said that more than 1,500 people had been killed and 6,600 wounded by retaliatory strikes by Israel.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu yesterday vowed to “crush and destroy” Hamas and said every member of the organisation was a “dead man”.

Meanwhile, entertainment industry leaders have signed an open letter released by the non-profit entertainment industry organisation, Creative Community for Peace (CCFP), condemning the Hamas terrorist group.

Signatories include Irving Azoff, CEO/chairman, Full Stop Management; Bryan Lourd, CEO, CAA; Richard Lovett, co-chairman, Jim Berkus, chairman of the Board of Directors, UTA and Rick Rosen, co-founder, Endeavor.

The CCFP letter calls on the entertainment community to speak out forcefully against Hamas, support Israel, refrain from sharing misinformation about the war, and do whatever is in their power to urge the terrorist organisation to return the hostages to their families.

 


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U2 pay tribute to Supernova festival victims

U2 frontman Bono has paid tribute to the victims of the Supernova festival massacre in Israel while on stage in Las Vegas.

At least 260 people were killed in Saturday’s attack by Hamas militants at the festival, held in the desert near Kibbutz Re’im, in what is believed to be the deadliest-ever assault on a music event.

Before performing the band’s 1984 single Pride (In the Name of Love) on Sunday (8 October) in the latest show of their 25-date residency at MSG’s Sphere at The Venetian, Bono told the audience: “In the light of what’s happened in Israel and Gaza, a song about non-violence seems somewhat ridiculous, even laughable, but our prayers have always been for peace and for non-violence.

“But our hearts and our anger, you know where that’s pointed. So sing with us… and those beautiful kids at that music festival.”

He continued: “Sing for our brothers and sisters – who they themselves were singing at the Supernova Sukkot festival in Israel. We sing for those. Our people, our kind of people, music people. Playful, experimental people. Our kind of people. We sing for them.”

U2 last played in Israel in 1997, when they performed at Tel Aviv’s Hayarkon Park

The Guardian reports the singer then altered the song’s opening lyrics, singing: “Early morning, October 7, the sun is rising in the desert sky. Stars of David, they took your life but they could not take your pride.”

U2 last played in Israel in 1997, when they performed at Tel Aviv’s Hayarkon Park.

Held under the Universo Paralello brand launched in Brazil 23 years ago, The Tribe of Nova presents Supernova made its debut in Israel from 6-7 October – coinciding with the Jewish festival of Sukkot.  The psy-trance music festival, which was attended by around 3,000 people, was stormed by Palestinian militants on Saturday morning and opened fire as part of a wider coordinated attack on Israel.

Festival organiser Tribe of Nova said it was “stunned” by the attack, adding: “We strengthen and share the grief of the missing and murdered families. We are doing everything we can to assist the security forces, stand with them in constant contact and are located in the area in scans and searches in order to locate the missing.”

Jonathan Lipitz, founder of local promoter Yellow Brick and owner of Tel Aviv-based club Kuli Alma, told IQ: “This is the biggest tragedy my country has ever faced. I’m more shocked than scared and I’m more enraged than sad. I’m not really digesting what my eyes and brain are seeing. This will take a lot of time.”

“Entertainment can wait,” he added. “First, we need to be focused on people’s lives”

Lipitz said Kuli Alma has closed indefinitely, while Yellow Brick’s scheduled shows at the Barby Club before the end of the year are likely to be postponed.

“Entertainment can wait,” he added. “First, we need to be focused on people’s lives.”

A 60,000-cap Bruno Mars concert scheduled for Saturday (7 October) at Hayarkon Park was cancelled amid the escalation of the conflict. The US star had played his first ever show in Israel just three days earlier.

Sources told Billboard that the decision to cancel was made a few hours after the attacks began, as securing the venue would present unnecessary risks to attendees. Mars’ scheduled performance at the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix in Doha on Sunday was also pulled “due to circumstances out of [organisers’] control”.

The singer was reportedly unable to pack up and transport his production gear out of Israel in time for the show, with French artist DJ Snake stepping in to take his place.

 


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