News comes through this morning that Elvis Costello has decided to pull the plug on his two scheduled Israel shows this coming summer. After witnessing many tweets on Twitter prompting Elvis to abandon the “apartheid-state of Israel”, I was beginning to fear the worst. As Elvis himself put it: It is a matter of instinct and conscience.
Very disappointing news it has to be said, as there was big demand for his tickets here in Israel. The first show was sold out fairly quickly, hence the additional date. I was just about to surprise my wife with a pair of tickets for his second concert, but guess that won’t be happening now…
Elvis Costello writes:
I have come to the following conclusions. One must at least consider any rational argument that comes before the appeal of more desperate means. Sometimes a silence in music is better than adding to the static and so an end to it.
I cannot imagine receiving another invitation to perform in Israel, which is a matter of regret but I can imagine a better time when I would not be writing this.
With the hope for peace and understanding. Elvis Costello
Yep, not sure there’ll be a chance to see Elvis Costello in the Holy Land any time soon, but you never know.
Meanwhile, the list of performers coming to Israel is still a long and quality-filled list, but this year has already seen Santana and Gil Scott Heron cancel shows. Let’s hope there aren’t too many more, though a possible candidate has to be Elvis Costello’s wife Diana Krall, who is scheduled to come to Israel in August.