Drone-metal pioneers Earth are currently mid-way through a European tour, but a scheduled stop in Bologna, Italy ended abruptly on Tuesday night, January 27 amid a dispute between the band and the venue over political symbolism.
Earth were slated to perform at TPO, a Bologna venue known for hosting cultural events alongside underground and experimental music shows. According to multiple reports from attendees and local outlets, the band ultimately did not perform after frontman and sole permanent member Dylan Carlson objected to a Palestinian flag hanging inside the venue.
According to an attendee posting under the name the New Noise (via Stereogum), Carlson refused to play unless the Palestinian flag — positioned next to the stage — was removed. The venue reportedly declined to do so.
A translated account from Italian music site IndieForBunnies states: “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)."
Further details emerged via social media, where concertgoers shared their reactions to the cancellation. Posting a photo from inside the venue, Instagram user @zang_tumb_tuumb wrote: "Dylan Carlson, upon seeing the flag, asked for it to be removed… The TPO (Occupied Multipurpose Theatre) preferred to cancel the concert and lose the evening's revenue (which is not insignificant for a social center) rather than turn a blind eye to the ongoing genocide."
The post continued with a pointed critique of the Earth frontman, adding: “From tonight, I can add Dylan Carlson to the list of those people who have produced great art, but without possessing equally great humanity." (The caption has been Google-translated from Italian.)
Earth only offered the following statement in an Instagram post: "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"
Ah yes, putting politics above music – an artform that has historically not been political.
