Photo courtesy of Danny Pleckham
Weeks after Travis Scott announced the UTOPIA album launch event at the Pyramids of Giza in Cairo, Egypt, previous reports of the highly-anticipated concert’s cancellation have been finalized by Live Nation.
In a statement on Wednesday (July 26), the promotion giant said that “despite highest efforts, complex production issues meant that the could not be constructed in the desert.” This was after Scott pleaded with the Egyptian Musicians’ Syndicate in a letter late last week. “Please don’t let the online spread of false information and hatred derail this event which will bring positive and international attention to Egypt, its economy and its amazing treasures,” the rapper wrote. “I implore you to do everything in your power to allow the show to proceed as planned.”
To no avail, Scott and Live Nation could not find an agreement with Egyptian authorities to throw the show. Cactus Jack is working swiftly to find a new venue for UTOPIA’s launch, though, which is still set to happen somewhere in Egypt, according to Travis. “Egypt at the pyramids will happen. But due to demand and detail logistics, they just need a bit a time to set lay on lands,” he wrote on Twitter. “I will keep u posted on a date which will be soon. Love you all.” Scott also revealed he plans to have four more live “experiences” in other places. “COORINDATES SOON REACH,” he added.
Prior to this, Hypebeast was the first to report Scott’s pyramid album launch “will continue as planned” on July 28 after Travis’ representatives provided the outlet with an update. Per sources, Live Nation (at the time) corroborated that the show will go on. “There have been no changes to Travis Scott’s show in Egypt, Live Narion said in a statement to Rolling Stone. “Any reports to the contrary are false. We can’t wait to celebrate Utopia with you in Egypt!” However, these plans have since been foiled.
Egypt’s Musicians’ Syndicate, who is the governing body for issuing concert licenses in the country, released a statement to Esquire on July 18, which explained its reasoning behind the premature cancellation.
Dr. Mohamed Abdullah, a spokesman for the MS, ensured to “safeguard the customs and traditions inherited by the Egyptian people,” among other rationale. “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.” You can read the full statement below.
“Regarding the concert scheduled to be held on 28th July at the Pyramids area in Giza by American rapper Travis Scott, the Musicians’ Syndicate, as the entity responsible for issuing licenses for music and singing concerts in Egypt, in coordination with the Egyptian Ministry of Culture represented by the Censorship Authority for Artistic Works and the Ministry of Labor, emphasizes the necessity of considering security aspects and obtaining approvals from the relevant authorities as a top priority when organizing concerts. This is to ensure the safety and protection of the audience. While the Musicians’ Syndicate has welcomed various art forms and concerts in recent months, it has set conditions and regulations to safeguard the customs and traditions inherited by the Egyptian people.”
“As the Musicians’ Syndicate is part of the fabric of our beloved country, it works towards its stability and security and rejects any tampering with the societal values, customs, and traditions of Egypt and the Arab world. 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.”
Egypt Musicians’ Syndicate, via Esquire
Scott’s long-awaited fourth studio album has been five years in the making, and will follow up his profile 2018 GRAMMY-nominated LP ASTROWORLD. The Houston rapper was ecstatic to rollout the record upon the Pyramid show’s announcement on July 9. “UTOPIA LIVE AT THE PYRAMIDS… damn I miss y’all.”
UTOPIA has been foreshadowed by Scott’s performances at Rolling Loud this past year (Los Angeles, Portugal, Munich), as the album is set to release on July 28 alongside a coinciding A24-produced film “CIRCUS MAXIMUS.”
This story will be updated.
