DUBAI: Grammy-nominated US indie rock band Big Thief on Thursday announced that they are cancelling two upcoming shows in Tel Aviv, which is band member Max Oleartchik’s hometown.
The band issued a statement on Twitter stating that since announcing their show in Israel, they have been in “constant dialogue” with friends, family and supporters of The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement – a Palestinian-led movement promoting boycotts, divestments and economic sanctions against Israel – who the band said are committed to fight for justice for Palestinians.
“It has been the only thing on our minds and in our hearts,” the statement read. “Our intent in wanting to play the shown Tel Avivi, where Max was born, raised and currently lives, stemmed from a simple that music can heal. We now recognize that the shows we had booked do not honor that sentiment.”
The four-member group clarified that they oppose the “illegal occupation and systematic oppression of the Palestinian people.
“We believe in total freedom and self-determination for all Palestinians,” they wrote to their 46,500 followers.
The group apologized to those they hurt with “the recklessness and na?vet?” of their original statements on playing in Israel, they wrote.
The Brooklyn-based group, which includes Oleartchik, Adrianne Lenker, Buck Meek and James Krivchenia, released their first album, “Masterpiece,” in 2016.
Their 2019 album “U.F.O.F.” was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album at the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards. In the following year, their song “Not,” was nominated for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance at the 63rd Grammy Awards.
The band released their fifth studio album, “Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You” in February 2022.