(Lead image via The National News/AP)
UPDATE 7/26/23
Live Nation has now confirmed that Travis Scott’s Utopia debut at the Pyramids of Giza is cancelled. The show was initially scheduled for this Friday, July 28, 2023.
According to the official statement from Live Nation, “complex production issues” are the reason the show has been cancelled, but earlier reports claim that Egyptian authorities revoked the performance license from Travis Scott and Live Nation, citing “rituals at Travis’ concerts” and concerns with Scott undermining ancestral customs and traditions of the Egyptian people.
Live Nation will be issuing refunds to everyone who purchased tickets. It’s unclear if Scott will debut Utopia live at another last-minute location, but the album’s accompanying film, Circus Maximus, is still set to hit AMC screens tomorrow on July 27, 2023.
The original story is available below.
After the tragedy at Astroworld that left eight people dead and hundreds injured, Travis Scott gears up to debut his latest album, UTOPIA, with an exclusive performance at the Pyramids of Giza — at least so he thought. Reports have come in from the AFP citing that the Egyptian Syndicate of Musical Professions intends to revoke Travis Scott‘s concert permit that would allow him to perform at the pyramids.
The Egyptian Syndicate of Musical Professions is a local organization responsible for approving concert licenses, but it’s unclear if the syndicate has the authority to make the final decision on whether or not the concert will move forward.
Based on the syndicate’s statement, it seems that the organization’s basis for revoking the concert license is in effort to protect the integrity of Egyptian culture and the pyramids.
Furthermore, the statement claims that “rituals at Travis’ concerts” are another key factor in the decision to halt the performance. The rituals in question are presumably in reference to rumors started by internet conspiracy theorists that believe that the crowd surge tragedy at Astroworld 2022 was connected to Satanism, human sacrifice, and ties to the illuminati, amongst other conspiracies.
Since the General Syndicate is part of the fabric of this beloved country, it is keen on its stability and security and refuses to tamper with societal values, and Egyptian and Arab customs and traditions.
Based on research and documented information about strange rituals at Travis’s concerts that are inconsistent with our authentic societal values and traditions, the Board of Directors has decided to cancel the license issued to hold this type of concert that contradicts the cultural identity of the Egyptian people.
-Egyptian Syndicate of Musical Professions via Egyptian Independent
According to Live Nation, the reports are untrue and the performance will continue on as planned, with the date set for July 28, 2023.
There have been no changes to Travis Scott’s show in Egypt; any reports to the contrary are false. We can’t wait to celebrate “Utopia” with you in Egypt!
-Live Nation via The Fader
Since the Astroworld tragedy Travis Scott has been under fire, receiving both social and legal pressure. The incident resulted in numerous lawsuits with a Houston law firm representing over 1,500 concert-goers seeking $10 billion for injuries and damages. However last month, a Texas grand jury decided not to indict Scott with criminal charges in regards to the Astroworld tragedy.
Travis Scott’s UTOPIA pyramid performance was set to kick off the rapper’s official comeback, especially as the Travis Scott x Jordan Cut The Check and the Travis Scott x Air Jordan 1 Low Golf get ready to launch soon, as well as the Travis Scott x Nike Mac Attack.
At this time, neither Nike nor Jordan Brand have commented on the alleged cancelled performance.
While this isn’t the first time that an artist has performed at the Pyramids, the Egyptian Syndicate of Musical Professions makes it clear that the guests “do not undermine the ancestral customs and traditions of the Egyptian people.”
The Fader reports past performances that have gone wrong including Lebanese rock band Mashrou’ Leila, was banned from performing in 2017 after a Pride flag was displayed at a concert in Cairo. Sarah Hegazi, who displayed the flag, was arrested and tortured by local authorities. She escaped to Canada and died by suicide in 2020.
Nice Kicks will continue to update as this story develops.
