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Stars abandon Turkey shows amid protests

Written by . Published: June 24 2013

Lana Del Rey, Bloc Party, Snoop Dogg, Bryan Ferry and Slayer have axed gigs in Turkey amid growing political unrest in the country.


Protests broke out in Istanbul last month (May13) over plans to develop one of the city's parks, and the clashes between activists and police have escalated over the last few weeks and spread to other cities.


The problems prompted several bands including Jared Leto's 30 Seconds To Mars and The National to axe gigs there, and now a huge number of international artists have cancelled planned events in Turkey.


Lana Del Rey's show in Istanbul on 7 July (13) has been pushed back until September (13), and Bryan Ferry's appearance at the Istanbul Jazz Festival on 8 July (13) has been called off.


The multi-date Vodafone Istanbul Calling music festival, which was due to feature Snoop Dogg, Cee-Lo Green, Nas, Sigur Ros, The Prodigy, and Bloc Party, has been axed, along with the Hi-Voltage festival, which was to be headlined by Slayer and Cradle of Filth.


The Pet Shop Boys have also cancelled a gig in the country, while other acts affected include Bat for Lashes, Basement Jaxx and New York Dolls.

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