Spa Francofolies Rocked by Artist Boycott Over Palestine Stance
Singer Yoa Canceled Due to Shared Stage with Amir
The upcoming Spa Francofolies festival faces significant disruption as artist Amir‘s inclusion sparks widespread backlash, leading to one confirmed cancellation and reported discomfort among other performers.
Discontent Grows Over Amir‘s Festival Appearance
A controversy has erupted at the Spa Francofolies just days before its July 17-20 opening. Ten scheduled artists have voiced their objections to singer Amir‘s participation, with one young performer, Yoa, making the decisive move to withdraw.
Yoa Withdraws, Citing “Genocide in Palestine”
Yoa, slated to perform on July 18, announced her decision via Instagram Stories. She cited her “social, political and humanist convictions” as reasons for not sharing a stage with an artist she claims does not acknowledge the “current genocide in Palestine” and has supported the Israeli army.
She extended apologies to fans who intended to see her and thanked the festival organizers for open discussions. Meanwhile, artists Colt, Lovelace, Nicou, Lauravioli, Isaac, Libra Romea, Thing, SMR, Nkey, and Mado confirmed they would proceed with their scheduled performances.
Festival Organizers Stand Firm on Lineup
Despite the mounting controversy, the Spa Francofolies organizers have stated they will not remove Amir from the lineup. They acknowledged the sensitivity surrounding international events and stated that while questions about artist affiliations are valid, they advocate for nuance.
This situation highlights a growing trend of artists using their platforms to express political stances. For instance, at the 2024 Glastonbury Festival, some performers incorporated messages regarding the ongoing conflicts in Gaza into their sets.
