Imagine Dragons’ Dan Reynolds responds to criticism of band playing Israel and Azerbaijan
nme.comImagine Dragons – has responded to the criticism the band have received for playing Israel and Azerbaijan.Last month, System Of A Down frontman Serj Tankian criticised the band for going ahead with their controversial gigs and shared that he has “zero respect for those guys”.
The dispute came over a show that the Las Vegas band had plans for in the country’s capital city, Baku, which some perceived as being an endorsement of Azerbeijan’s authoritarian President Ilham Aliyev.Tankian had sent the group a letter last summer urging them to pull out of the Baku Olympic Stadium show.
In the letter, he stated that proceeding with the gig “would help whitewash the dictatorial regime’s image” (via Louder).Further pressure to back out also came from fellow musicians including Brian Eno, Thurston Moore and Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters, who shared an open letter last August, asking them to pull the show. “Performing in Baku under these circumstances, regardless of intent, can only help the government of Azerbaijan cover up its crimes,” a section of it read.Now, Reynolds has opened up about their decision to go ahead with the gigs despite their colleague’s pleas to pull out.Speaking to Rolling Stone, the singer said: “I don’t believe in depriving our fans who want to see us play because of the acts of their leaders and their governments.
I think that’s a really slippery slope. I think the second you start to do that, there’s corrupt leaders and warmongers all over the world, and where do you draw the line?”He also addressed Tankian’s comments, sharing: “I think I just said it.
Read more on nme.com
