French Concert Canceled After ‘Bloodbath’ Threat

The makers of Lignerock Festival had to cancel a Feb. 18 fundraising concert night at the Salle de Sport in St. Christophe du Ligneron, France, due to a terrorist threat they received shortly before doors were to open.

– Lignerock Festival

According to news reports, an anonymous caller had announced a “bloodbath in St. Christophe du Ligneron.” Because the threat came on such short notice, organizers had no choice but to announce the cancellation of the concert night on Facebook mere minutes before the 7:30 p.m. start time. 

By that time the bands – Apes O’Clock, Les Bidons de l’an fer, Les Caméléons and Eugene de Rastignac – were all set to take the stage for what was supposed to be a fundraiser for Lignerock Festival, which had suffered losses after the 2016 edition, according to Le Figaro.

The team behind Lignerock released a statement in the aftermath of the cancellation, writing that it was “naturally difficult to find the right words.”

They expressed their hopes that police investigations would yield more concrete answers. “We would like to thank all of the artists as well as the technicians for their understanding and their professionalism in light of the exceptional situation,” the statement continues.

It also thanked the volunteers working on the fundraiser to save the festival.

Apes O’Clock expressed its “full support“ for the organizers, and added in a statement: “We must redouble our efforts and vigilance to dam any form of religious, political and ideological extremism, and against human stupidity in general.”