Atoms For Safety

Thom Yorke of Radiohead who formed Atoms For Peace with Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea and Radiohead producer Nigel Godrich, tweeted that the show in Poznan had been ditched for “technical reasons.”

Polish newspapers speculated that there were problems with the stage, which in turn could lead to a legal spat between the festival and one or more of its production suppliers.

At post time it wasn’t possible to get comment from Nick Hobbs of Istanbul-based Charmenko, which books the international talent for Malta Festival.

Cat Power and Owiny Sigoma Band, originally scheduled for the same stage, were moved to a free event at Poznan’s Wolnosci Square. Cat Power did a DJ set instead of playing live.

“Yes, it’s true, the concert is cancelled,” festival publicist Anna Reichel told Poznan’s Gazeta, but declined to give any further details. “At the moment we’re concentrating on giving a refund for tickets.”

A note on the festival website read, “We are sorry to inform that due to technical reasons related to the safety of the event, today’s concert of Atoms For Peace has been cancelled.”

Yorke in particular has reason for safety concerns. Last year, an outdoor stage in Toronto’s Downsview Park collapsed just hours before Radiohead was to take the stage. Scott Johnson, the band’s 33-year-old drum tech, was killed by falling debris.

Three other people were injured. Radiohead was forced to cancel its show, and rescheduled seven dates in the wake of the accident.

Last month it was revealed that Live Nation, which is not connected to the Polish festival, faces 13 charges of negligence relating to the accident in Toronto. Live Nation disputes the charges and says “we will vigorously defend ourselves.”