March 7, 2008 16:13

EXIT festival boss: Bjork has 'open invitation' to play

Organiser admits concern over Bjork's Kosovo comments, but says she could still play

EXIT festival organiser Bojan Boscovic has said that Bjork has an open invitation to play at this year’s festival in Serbia in July, despite reports suggesting that her appearance had been cancelled after she made pro-Kosovo independence statements during a gig in Tokyo.

As previously reported by NME.COM Bjork dedicated her song ‘Declare Independence’ to Kosovo at a gig in Tokyo and was reportedly dropped from the EXIT bill soon afterwards, prompting speculation that the Icelandic star had been dropped specifically because of her political statement.

In a statement released to NME.COM Bjork’s management claimed they had been sent an email from EXIT organiser Bojan Boskovic threatening that her appearance at this year’s festival may be cancelled as a result of her comments.

Speaking to NME.COM today (March 7), Boskovic admitted sending the e-mail, but insisted that Bjork had not been struck off the bill.

“That email was not an official EXIT statement,” he said. “It was my email sent showing my great concern about what is going on.”

Boskovic said that his stance had cooled since the Icelandic singer’s initial outburst, and that he would welcome her on the EXIT bill, although no contract had been signed regarding an appearance.

“Two weeks later I have a different opinion about it,” he said. “We do want to see her at EXIT. We’re trying to see with management now if this is the best time to have her. There is an open invitation [for Bjork to play the festival] as far as EXIT is concerned.”

The 2008 EXIT festival line-up is on NME.COM now.