Singer Cee Lo Green had planned to make his first trip to Israel to perform in Jerusalem August 19, however this show has now been called off. Israeli show promoter Carmi D. Wurtman explained, “The artist and his crew really wanted to come, but unfortunately we were the ones who had to postpone it because this is not the right time to advertise and push a concert and also because Israel Defense Forces’ regional Home Front Command allows gathering of up to a thousand people only.” Plans are underway to reschedule the concert for late October or early November, when the region will hopefully be calmer.
This announcement comes after several other performers canceled their shows, including Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Paul Anka, and the Backstreet Boys. Another musical act that is not going forward with its planned concert is thrash-metal band Megadeth, whose show was planned for this Wednesday in Tel Aviv. The band had claimed that they would be performing despite the current struggle, but finally announced their need to cancel at the last minute Monday night. The band posted the following statement on its website: “Due to an inability to confirm the guaranteed passage of the band and their gear into Tel Aviv in time for the show, the upcoming Megadeth concert, scheduled for Wednesday, August 6, 2014, has been cancelled. The band was looking forward to this concert and is disappointed they will not be able to put on the show for their fans, but expects to return to Tel Aviv on their next international tour.” Ticket holders are instructed to contact their point of purchase to handle refunds, and check the site tomorrow for further instructions.
Israeli concert promoter Udi Appelboim said he is still expecting Lana Del Rey to be able to perform in Tel Aviv on August 20. “No news is good news, right?” said Appelboim. The Jerusalem Season of Culture, which postponed its two-month-long list of activities due to the recent conflict, is also still set to hold its Sacred Music Festival on September 9-12.
