Earth Cancels Italy Show Over Palestinian Flag

We have unfortunately become acclimatized to evil, ignorant, or virtue-signaling musicians displaying “palestinian” flags at concerts. But this might just be a first: a musician refusing to play because of the presence of a “palestinian” flag.

Right now, drone-metal pioneers Earth are touring Europe. On Tuesday night (Jan. 27), Earth were slated to play at the Bologna, Italy venue TPO, which hosts cultural events as well as underground bands. According to various reports from the show, Earth did not perform because Dylan Carlson, the band’s frontman and sole permanent member, objected to the Palestinian flag hanging in the venue.

According to attendee the New Noise, Carlson refused to play unless TPO removed the Palestinian flag that was hanging next to the stage, but the venue refused to remove the flag. A translated account from the Italian site IndieForBunnies reads: “The historic post-rock band of Washington state led by Dylan Carlson asked to remove a Palestinian flag present in the venue, but the TPO refused, so Earth decided to cancel the live (organized by Hardstaff Booking and the Freakout Club).”

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Carlson’s and Earth’s Instagrams shared a statement that TPO “put politics above music and have cancelled the show tonight” and that “it has nothing to do with” the band or presenter Freakout Club.

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I’ll be honest with you. I had never heard of a band called Earth without the Wind & Fire before this report. And I might be late to the drone-metal party, but I’m an instant fan of any artist who refuses to be a prop for a political agenda.

Dylan Carlson may lead a band called Earth, but in the current climate of the music world, he’s proved he’s in a world of his own.

Cheers to Earth for staying grounded.