*Bruno Mars’ world tour ended on an unexpected note as the Silk Sonic singer found himself receiving instructions to evacuate Israel.
According to Billboard, the evacuation came amid terrorist attacks. Mars was set to perform two sold-out concerts at HaYarkon Park in Tel Aviv, Israel last Saturday (Oct. 7) when reports surfaced early that day of “a coordinated Hamas-led terrorist attack that would escalate the ongoing Israel-Palestinian conflict.”
Later that day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared on television later that day to declare his country was now “at war” with Hamas.
Live Nation responded accordingly with a statement by Saturday afternoon, saying Mars’ concert was canceled. The cancellation of Mars’ show day expanded to a planned concert the next day (Oct. 8) in Doha, Qatar, after the Formula 1 Qatar Grand Prix, was called off.
The Saturday show was supposed to have been the second-to-last stop on Mars’ world tour, which landed in Tbilisi, Georgia, on Oct. 1 before making its way to Israel.
“All ticket purchases to the show will receive an automatic refund to the credit card through which the purchase was made,” a statement Bluestone Group shared online.
If the show had gone on, Mars would have been in rare company as the third American artist ever to perform two sold-out concerts at HaYarkon Park. The other two American singers to perform at the venue were Madonna in 2009 and Michael Jackson in 1993.
Citing a source, Billboard noted that unnecessary risks to concertgoers would have resulted from securing the venue during active fighting, adding that the decision to cancel Mars’ concert was made a few hours after the attacks began that morning. By 2 p.m., Mars and his 60-person crew were boarding a flight to Athens from Ben Gurion Airport.
Although Mars was supposed to travel from Athens to Doha for his performance, he was reportedly unable to pack up and transport his production gear out of Israel in time for that performance. On Sunday, hours before the entertainer was scheduled to take the stage in Doha, the Lusail International Circuit racetrack announced on Instagram that Mars would not perform. Taking the entertainer’s place was French producer and artist DJ Snake.
Mars is not the only artist to experience bad luck in Israel, as touring in the country has become a challenge for various artists. Those planning to perform there have endured harsh public criticism from activists and fellow artists Roger Waters and Brian Eno. Waters and Eno are known for their efforts to encourage musicians to boycott Israel over what they describe as its unjust treatment of the Palestinians.
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Among those Waters reached out to were Lana Del Rey, Radiohead, Bon Jovi, and Jennifer Lopez. Waters’ efforts proved unsuccessful with Lopez, Radiohead, and Bon Jovi, according to Billboard.
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