Having music about today’s currents events has become normal in songwriting. But when it comes to performing music in countries with political conflict, it becomes a problem. 

Billy Joel’s 1980 concerts in communist Russia and Cuba, Elton John’s show in the U.S.S.R. and Lionel Richie’s performance in Libya have been controversial places to have a date on a major tour. Today, some of these countries are still socially restricted to play in, and adding to the list, Israel has become a taboo place for American artists to perform. 

The political turmoil between Palestine and Israel has been a constant battle for decades. There is so much complexity to their disputes that is too complicated to explain. So, as vaguely as it can get, there has been an on and off conflict among Israel versus the Middle East since the countries originated.  

Speaking out for the inequality of treatment that the countries impose on the feuding citizens, Lana Del Rey, of Montreal, Pusha T and many others have taken their names out of Meteor Festival in Galilee, Israel.  

The festival’s significant headliners have pulled out, influenced by the two debating sides of Israel and Palestine, mainly regarding the inhumane acts on Palestine’s inhabitants. Israel’s actions against their neighbor- and vice versa- have been atrocities that are typically seen in a time of war, like bombings.  

Lana Del Rey was the first of the 15 to pull out. Yet, she was initially going to perform the festival defending that her views are very liberal.  

Ray then stated that she will be going to Palestine to play as well to show support for Palestine. Facing very harsh criticisms, she kept defending her stance throughout the pressure of people telling her what to do and not.  

She later stated she will not play in the region until she can be scheduled in Palestine and Israel, tweeting “it’s important to me to perform in both Palestine and Israel and treat all my fans equally.” 

After Lana Del Rey contradicted her choice to perform, a political activist group against Israel called Boycott Divestment and Sanctions Movement (BDS) tried to convince artists to pull out by having people sign an online petition to take out the rest of the major headliners. Kamasi Washington, Pusha T, Flying Lotus and Of Montreal chose to not perform in Galilee, along with many other artists.  

Of Montreal released a statement on Facebook saying it is time for activism, protests and putting an end to “the human rights atrocities being carried out every day in Gaza by Israeli forces.” They supported their decision further by giving their love to both Israeli and Pakistani people ending with, “This is in no way an indictment of the Israeli people in general. We simply cannot turn a blind eye to this crisis. To ignore the call to stand up in support of an oppressed group of humans is one of the worst things one can do.” 

From the list of artists BDS tried to influence, all but Flying Lotus and Kamasi Washington listened to the petition. So, the festival carried on with ASAP Ferg and others performing.  

The conflict between Israel and Pakistan will never end. The controversy and opinions about each side are so complex and had its origins over hundreds of years ago.  

The debate on the two countries has now lead to Israeli music fans disappointed over musicians canceling their appearances, and it may be a very long time till there are no arguments against American artists playing in these countries. 

After a few weeks of battling artists pulling out, Meteor festival still came through with a strong lineup.  A$ap Ferg, Nina Kraviz, Soul Wax, Flying Lotus, Mura Masa, Pusha T and Ariel Pink carried the festival. Without the ones that withdrew, the festival still had very good performers. Yes, having Lana Del Rey not play had disappointed many fans, but that is not enough reason not to go.  

From this controversy of who is play and who isn’t, the festival got lots of reception and popularity. Non-American festivals are typically not talked about unless they are renowned like Primavera in Spain, Glastonbury in England or Tomorrowland in Belgium. But Meteor festival is making its way to be aware among concert goers. Since any publicity is good publicity.