REVELLERS flocked in their thousands to Glasgow’s TRNSMT festival yesterday, to see Radiohead top the bill on the first of three days.
A heavy police presence and light showers did nothing to dampen the spirits of fans, who flooded through the gates from 2pm onwards.
Festival organisers have admitted their surprise at the level of interest, with more than 100,000 visitors expected over the course of the weekend. Belle and Sebastian, Rag n Bone Man and London Grammar were also on hand to serenade the joyous crowds.
Despite a mesmerising performance, Radiohead’s visit to Glasgow was not without its fair share of controversy. The Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign (SPSC) placed activists both inside and outside the venue, speaking to revellers about the plight of the Palestinian people while aiming to convince the band to cancel a planned trip to Tel Aviv.
The National spoke to retired university lecturer Mick Napier, a national committee member of the SPSC.
“We’re here engage with fans, who have been very supportive. We are tapping into the widespread suspicion and anger at what Israel is doing to the Palestinians”, he said.
“Many artists, including Pink Floyd, have asked them not to perform in what is effectively a segregated audience in that numerous checkpoints will prevent Palestinians from even getting there”.
Approximately 100 people entered the gig to wave Palestinian flags “to ask the band not to perform in Tel Aviv, adding to the protests such as that at Manchester recently – where they’ve faced significant pressure asking them not to proceed to Tel Aviv,” he said.
“Glasgow is the last stop and even at this late date, we hope they’ll agree not to perform.”
Radiohead frontman Yorke responded to disparaging comments made by high-profile figures in an interview with Rolling Stone. He said “It’s deeply distressing that they choose to, rather than engage with us personally, throw shit at us in public.
“I thought it was patronising in the extreme. It’s offensive and I just can’t understand why going to play a rock show [is a problem to them]”.
“It’s such an extraordinary waste of energy. Energy that could be used in a more positive way. You’re not bringing people together. You’re not encouraging dialogue or a sense of understanding. That’s divisive”.
In a post on the blog A Thousand Flowers about Radiohead’s visit to Glasgow, Glasgow-based activist and musician Declan Welsh explained why many feel Yorke’s comments did not go far enough.
“This is not an attack on Radiohead as people,” he wrote. “But their decision to play Tel Aviv is a mistake. It is crossing a picket line that the world needs. Even if they make a statement at their concert, no Palestinian will be there to see it. That can’t be fair.”
“The aim of the cultural boycott is not, as some people misinterpret, to deny Israeli Radiohead fans a gig because of the actions of their government.
“It is to show solidarity with Palestinians who are denied the same privilege by default, and put pressure on Netanyahu and the like through damaging their reputation within the international community”.
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