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Artist News Digital Gigs & Festivals
Sepultura comment on Lebanon ban, announce livestream of Dubai show
By Andy Malt | Published on Wednesday 1 May 2019
Sepultura have responded to the recent cancellation of a show in Lebanon, after authorities accused the metal band of devil worship.
Saying that their “intention has always been to promote unity and freedom of expression through music”, they announced that they will now livestream a show in Dubai “to try to compensate” fans in Beirut who have missed out.
Last month, it was announced that the Lebanese General Security department had decided to block Sepultura from entering the country. Among the reasons for that decision were claims that the band’s members are Satanists, which the band’s manager denied, pointing out that most of them are in fact Catholic.
In a new statement on Facebook, the band said: “In 35 years of history, it was the first time we had our entry blocked in a country by a false interpretation of our purposes and values since our intention has always been to promote unity and freedom of expression through music, without making any political, racial or religious distinction”.
The band will broadcast their upcoming show in Dubai on 2 May live on YouTube, starting at 10pm Lebanese time (8pm in the UK).
