The Cat Empire Postpone MSO Shows Over Pianist’s Sanctioning
The Cat Empire postponed their shows in "good conscience" and solidarity with pianist Jayson Gillham.
The Cat Empire (Source: Supplied)
The Cat Empire postponed their shows with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra at Hamer Hall, which were due to take place next week (22-24 August) in solidarity with pianist Jayson Gillham. The musician recently had a show cancelled after dedicating a performance to Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza as the Israel-Gaza war continues into its tenth month.
On Wednesday (14 August), the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra cancelled Gillham's performance after he performed a song called Witness last Sunday (11 August) and dedicated it “to the journalists of Gaza.”
Gillham’s management said that the pianist began his speech by mentioning that more than 100 Palestinian journalists have been killed (corroborated by a recent report by The Committee To Protect Journalists) in the war (per ABC). Gillham alleged that numerous of those deaths were “targeted assassinations of prominent journalists”.
He continued, “The killing of journalists is a war crime in international law, and it is done in an effort to prevent the documentation and broadcasting of war crimes to the world.”
As a result of his speech, the MSO emailed ticketholders to apologise for Gillham’s remarks and say he’d put them in a “difficult decision.”
The MSO was met with outrage after cancelling Gillham’s concert due to an introductory speech to a song that was well-received by punters. Later, the MSO stated that it made an “error” in cancelling the concert. Gillham accepted the apology.
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The Cat Empire postponed their gigs as the MSO and Gillham work to find a resolution. Musicians also recently passed a vote of no confidence in the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s Managing Director and Operating Officer.
In a statement posted to social media yesterday (16 August), The Cat Empire wrote, “We are writing with deep sadness regarding the recent cancellation of pianist Jayson Gillham’s concert with the MSO, following his dedication of a music composition to journalists killed in Gaza.”
Adding that they “value the principles of freedom of speech, artistic expression, and inclusivity,” the band stated that they, “in good conscience”, decided to postpone the gigs at Hamer Hall.
The band continued, “This decision is incredibly disappointing as we’ve been working tirelessly to deliver an incredible show. We strongly support Jayson and the talented musicians in the orchestra, many of whom are our friends and contemporaries. They too have been put in an uncomfortable situation.
“We have been assured that the MSO organisation is working to resolve the situation, and hope that we can reach a resolution. When these changes align with our beliefs as a band, we strongly hope these shows can go ahead, and we can get back to celebrating music in a free, inclusive and genuinely expressive way.”
The band concluded their statement by telling Melbourne fans (and fans travelling to Melbourne) that they’re “working hard” on something, hopefully for next week.
The ongoing Israel-Gaza war has seen many artists protest, especially against sponsors seen to be providing financial services to defence companies arming Israel.
In June, Australian hardcore band SPEED dropped off the Download Festival line-up, with the band writing: “SPEED will no longer be playing Download Festival this Friday June 14 due to the recent news of Barclays Banks sponsorship of the event and their involvement in the war in Gaza.”
In May, 25% of the line-up of the UK showcase festival The Great Escape boycotted the event due to its ties with Barclays. In March, artists protested against SXSW’s alleged connections to defence industry partnerships supplying weapons to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).
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