The rock band Disturbed has released a statement in the wake of its upcoming show in Brussels, Belgium, getting canceled.
The group was scheduled to perform Oct. 15 at the Forest National in Brussels as part of its “The Sickness 25th Anniversary Tour.”
However, Forest Mayor Charles Spapens issued a police order banning the concert due to safety concerns after several comments the band’s lead singer David Draiman made regarding the conflict in Gaza.
“My responsibility and priority are the safety of residents, neighbors, demonstrators, spectators and staff at Forest National,” Spapens said. “Given the police’s negative advice and the venue’s unique location, it was my duty to make this decision.”
Now the band has released a statement on its Instagram account about the decision.
“Music is where all our differences fade into the background. Music has the power to heal, to inspire and to bring people together, it’s not about what divides us,” the statement said. “We have always made it a point that at our shows ALL are welcome no matter what you believe. Everyone who comes to a Disturbed concert is accepted and loved. We are saddened that our fans in Belgium are not going to be able to share in this celebration of music.”
The band then said that tickets to the show will be refunded automatically within 30 days and that ticket-holders did not need to take any further action.
“We would like to thank you for your understanding, and we appreciate your support,” the band said.
The show was also scheduled to take place one day after a national strike and other demonstrations in Brussels, including a prison staff strike.
Spapens had lobbied for the concert to be canceled earlier, Rolling Stone reported, after Draiman tweeted a photo in June of him signing IDF bombs with the phrase “[Expletive] Hamas” during a visit to Israel.
“This is about a man who signed a bomb that was dropped on Gaza. We do not support the presence of this artist, and even less so his position on Gaza,” Spapens said.
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