REDMAN, BLACK CROWES, AEROSMITH, JANET JACKSON and WEEZER are amongst the bands forced to postpone live appearances across North America as a result of yesterday’s (September 11) terrorist activity.
As previously reported on NME.COM, the Latin Grammy Awards, due to take place yesterday (September 11) at the Los Angeles Forum, were cancelled in the wake of the terrorist strikes on New York and Washington.
Three hijacked passenger planes smashed into the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Washington earlier today leaving thousands feared dead. The World Trade Center’s twin towers, one of the greatest landmarks of the modern world, then collapsed within minutes.
Now, unsurprisingly, the terrorist strikes have also crippled the American entertainment industry.
U2, who have just confirmed details of a second North American tour for the autumn, have postponed ticket sales scheduled to start this weekend (September 14-15). However, dates on the tour have not been postponed.
According to Weezer, Tool, Janet Jackson, Ozomatli and Godsmack. Washington performances from Ben Folds and Maxwell were also cancelled.
The cancellations were not confined to the United States. Sting, who was scheduled to make a live webcast performance from Tuscany in Italy, took to the stage to announce he was not to play.
According to www.launch.com, the star performed one song, ‘Fragile’, before asking for a minute’s silence for the dead.
He said: “This was to be a very joyous occasion tonight. Because of the horrific events of today, it simply can’t be a joyous occasion. We have three choices, you know – one is, the show must go on, the other is not to do anything at all, and the band and I came up with a compromise. We’d like to have one number on the webcast for the rest of the world to see and then shut it off as a token of respect to those who’ve lost their lives and those who’ve lost loved ones in this terrible event.
“Then it’s up to you, how you feel. I’d like a minute’s silence after that song. I don’t want any applause, I just want us to stand there and think about what’s happened today. [It’s] difficult for all of us. I’m angry, I’m confused, I’m frightened, and I don’t really want to give this meaningless act of violence any credence. It’s totally and utterly pompous. We’ll sing a song for those people who have lost their lives. Thank you.”
NME.COM will bring you updates on the situation and the implications for the UK music Industry, throughout the day.