Radiohead are scheduled to play a highly controversial concert in Tel Aviv this week, and another famous voice has just weighed in on the band's decision to play Israel.
R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe has taken to Instagram to show his solidarity with Thom Yorke and the rest of the band, sharing a photo that reads: "I stand with Radiohead and their decision to perform."
He adds, "Let's hope a dialogue continues, helping to bring the occupation to an end and lead to a peaceful solution."
Stipe is one of few public voices to lend support to Yorke. Many other prominent artists have loudly objected to Radiohead's upcoming Israeli date, with Roger Waters and Ken Loach individually speaking out against Yorke and accusing him of rejecting their invitations to have private conversations about the matter.
Yorke initially responded to the backlash, calling the boycott an "extraordinary waste of energy." He has since replied to a recent op-ed piece by Loach, stating: "Playing in a country isn't the same as endorsing its government."
"Music, art and academia is about crossing borders not building them, about open minds not closed ones, about shared humanity, dialogue and freedom of expression," Yorke added.
Radiohead's Tel Aviv show remains scheduled to take place this Wednesday (July 19) at Park Hayarkon.
Pre-order R.E.M.'s 25th anniversary edition of Automatic for the People via Umusic on vinyl here and CD/DVD here.
R.E.M. frontman Michael Stipe has taken to Instagram to show his solidarity with Thom Yorke and the rest of the band, sharing a photo that reads: "I stand with Radiohead and their decision to perform."
He adds, "Let's hope a dialogue continues, helping to bring the occupation to an end and lead to a peaceful solution."
Stipe is one of few public voices to lend support to Yorke. Many other prominent artists have loudly objected to Radiohead's upcoming Israeli date, with Roger Waters and Ken Loach individually speaking out against Yorke and accusing him of rejecting their invitations to have private conversations about the matter.
Yorke initially responded to the backlash, calling the boycott an "extraordinary waste of energy." He has since replied to a recent op-ed piece by Loach, stating: "Playing in a country isn't the same as endorsing its government."
"Music, art and academia is about crossing borders not building them, about open minds not closed ones, about shared humanity, dialogue and freedom of expression," Yorke added.
Radiohead's Tel Aviv show remains scheduled to take place this Wednesday (July 19) at Park Hayarkon.
Pre-order R.E.M.'s 25th anniversary edition of Automatic for the People via Umusic on vinyl here and CD/DVD here.
