Travis Scott Concert At Pyramids Of Giza Is Officially Axed, In Part Over 'Authentic Societal Values'

Topline

Rapper Travis Scott’s show at Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza this Friday has been canceled, following pushback from the Egyptian Musicians Syndicate and a statement from Live Nation that cited “complex production issues” as the reason for the cancellation.

Scott’s performance was initially planned to take place on Friday, July 28.(Photo by John … [+] Salangsang/Invision/AP)

Associated Press

Key Facts

The show, which sold out quickly and was originally scheduled for July 28, could not be constructed in the desert due to “complex production issues,” according to Live Nation Middle East, which added in a statement that refunds would be issued to ticket holders.

The concert received resistance from the Egyptian Musicians Syndicate, an entity responsible for the issuance and approval of concert permits, which said on July 18 it decided to cancel Scott’s permit.

The group said in a widely reported statement that Scott’s performance would have contradicted Egypt’s “authentic societal values and traditions.”

Not long after the syndicate’s statement was issued, Live Nation Middle East said in a tweet that there had been no changes to Scott’s show in Egypt and any reports to the contrary were false.

Prices for the show ranged from $129 for premium tickets to about $210 for VIP tickets, according to prices still listed by Live Nation Middle East.

Crucial Quote

“After examining social media opinions and feedback, as well as the news circulating on search engines and social media platforms, which included authenticated images and information about peculiar rituals performed by the star during his performance, contradicting our authentic societal values and traditions, the Syndicate’s president and board of directors have decided to cancel the license issued for hosting this type of concert, which goes against the cultural identity of the Egyptian people,” the syndicate said in a statement.

Tangent

Scott’s live performances have been scrutinized before, most notably when his 2021 Astroworld music festival experienced a crowdsurge that killed 10 people and left several injured. In late June, a Texas grand jury declined to indict the rapper over the incident, with District Attorney Kim Ogg announcing the jury found that “no single individual was criminally responsible.” Civil suits linked to the Astroworld incident are still pending. More than 400 civil lawsuits have been levied against Scott, Live Nation and other organizers since, according to Billboard.

What We Don’t Know

It is unclear how many people would have attended the sold-out 16 and up concert had it gone through.

Key Background

Scott’s canceled performance would have marked the debut of his highly anticipated album Utopia, a record with an unknown release date that the rapper has teased for years now. The live Utopia concert would have been live streamed, according to Scott.

Travis Scott Concert At Pyramids Of Giza Is Officially Axed, In Part Over ‘Authentic Societal Values’