Pixies Cancel Israel Gig

The band has not given a specific reason for bowing out of the show planned for this Wednesday, choosing instead to issue a statement attributing the change of plans to “events beyond all our control.” Organizers said the cancellation was related to last week’s Israeli raid on the flotilla of Gaza-bound aid shop.

The band wasn’t the only act on this week’s bill, or, for that matter the only one to cancel.  Gorillaz Soundsystem also pulled out of the event, reports BBC News, which says the Pixies received letters from human rights organizations asking the band to withdraw its participation from the show.

“The decision was not reached easily and we all know well the Israeli fans have been waiting for this visit for far too long,” the Pixies said in a statement, according to the BBC. “We’d like to extend our deepest apologies to the fans but events beyond all our control have conspired against us.”

Pixies is the latest band to call off an appearance in Israel. Last month Elvis Costello canceled two gigs in the country, saying his appearing in Israel could have been “interpreted as a political act.”

Click here to read the complete BBC report.