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

Bjork

Bjork

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.

Comments (7)

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YorkshireNed 

Mar 7, 2008

I think he may have blown his chances of having her play now! She should do a huge free gig in Kosovo on the same weekend.

I'd always fancied going to EXIT but seeing how the organisers react to the personal opinions of one artist makes me feel uncomfortable about visiting the region. It reflects very badly on Serbia and has now put me off visiting.

Matt_Libertine 

Mar 8, 2008

yorkshireNed talks too much.

Bjorkgayfanetc. 

Mar 8, 2008

Dude its not about exit...people are really pised here in Serbia...i know guys that cut them selves for bjork and still i recieved dozens of her discs as a gift just because they don't have a positive look on bjork now because of the Kosovo thing...i would like her to play because i don't really care for her opinions i like her music very very much...and im not a pro kosovo person...but common...she watched the news and its like "Oh kosovo is independent now...how about i sing for them"...she has no idea what's happening here..in Kosovoo...and how many people are pissed of that whole situation...and then again...exit did a move that was best for the pissed off people..now that situation is cooling down they want her back because she will still bring people and she has tons of fans here...its not cool listening to musicians that never went to kosovo and talk stuff like that just because that makes them cooler...it does bad to Serbia's image..but man we struggled through so many wars and different shits and we are really proud of exit as a festival and that people are liking it...and now a 100 football hooligans smash some embacy and we are now US haters...i mean im pissed at bjork for that whole Kosovo thing because this is not a typical Fight for Independence thing...again im not a pro kosovo person i just want a better life...and reaction of Exit team was logical because suddenly 50% of serbia hates hare for that thing...it's not their fault!

Its like if you live in america does that mean that you want to go to war with other countries and vote for Bush every time..NO!..we all know that almost every country has a divided opinion...Bush won by a 51% or something like that...does that means that all americans are stupid as fuck and want more wars and to skullfuck other countries....no it doesen't..So please think rational...

Matt_Libertine 

Mar 9, 2008

God so does Bjorkgayfanetc.

justicetrapper 

Mar 9, 2008

yorkshireNed, how typical...just imagine Wales separated from UK, would you like your favorite artist Radiohead to play huge free gig there celebrating Wales independence? But, please, do come to Exit, spend your dole money...Poor Bjork thinks she's cool saying things like that, she obviously see herself as a 60's Vietnam rebel.Fake&superficial.

TheEnlightened 

Mar 18, 2008

Bjork Rules.
I TOTALLY AGREE with her on Kosovo.
If the serb festivals don't want her, she can come to Kosovo anytime.

polibot 

Jul 14, 2008

justicetrapper, you're totally right.celebrities should be extra careful when expressing their opinion. at least, they should really be sure that they know what exactly they are talking about.i don't think that was the case here.it seems to me that she just blurbed out whatever felt rebellious enough.but, i suppose that it was to be expected from one who lives in what seems as a rather sterile, organized society.i am from serbia, and i must say that i'm very tired of all the political frenzy around here.i believe that serbia lost kosovo long, long time ago, and that it is in our own interest to accept that fact as soon as possible.nevertheless i strongly disliked bjork's gesture, it just wasn't right.not her cup of tea.

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