Concert canceled after lead singer objects to Palestine flag
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American drone-metal band Earth canceled their January 27th concert at TPO in Bologna, Italy, after lead singer Dylan Carlson objected to a Palestinian flag displayed inside the venue. The venue refused to remove the flag, leading to the show being called off shortly before it was set to begin.
Earth, active since the late 1980s and widely regarded as pioneers of experimental heavy music, had planned to perform alongside supporting acts Nataša Grujović and Steve Moore. The openers performed as scheduled, but Earth did not take the stage.
In a statement, the band said: “Apologies to the folks in Bologna, @tpo_bologna put politics above music and have cancelled the show tonight. It has nothing to do with us or @freakout_club.”
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Attendees and local media disputed the band’s version, noting that the venue deliberately refused to remove the flag despite the financial loss. TPO staff addressed the crowd and led a “Free Palestine” chant. One attendee said, “The venue chose principle over profit. Dylan Carlson has created great music, but tonight showed a lack of empathy.”
The TPO social center, which has a long history of supporting Palestinian solidarity, launched a crowdfunding campaign to cover costs from the canceled show. The campaign emphasized the venue’s political and cultural mission, stating that defending its values is essential to maintaining its community-focused space.
Earth continues its European tour with upcoming performances in Segrate, Italy; Bern, Switzerland; Schorndorf and Cologne, Germany; and Amsterdam, Netherlands.
