Big Thief have announced two upcoming shows in Tel Aviv, Israel at The Barby Club on July 6th and 7th 2022. It will come at the tail end of their European tour that begins tonight in Paris at La Cigale and promotes their beautiful 5th album Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe In You that came out on 4AD back in February this year.
It will mark the second time the indie folk outfit have played the venue in Tel Aviv and the second time they have had to put out a clarifying statement regarding the gig’s position in the ever turbulent political climate of Israel. Recent campaigns such as the BDS (Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions) movement have rallied for the global boycotting of Israel in relation to their treatment of Palestinian citizens in the ongoing conflict between Palestine and Israel. However, many believe the movement to be anti-semitic, with the resulting back and forth causing a difficult political rift to navigate as a touring musician or band wishing to play in Israel.
Big Thief have addressed the matter for the second time with a statement that mirrored its predecessor in expressing the band’s desire to play Tel Aviv being directly attributed to their bassist Max Oleartchik’s and his hometown origins being with the city. It’s a classy move from the candid and thoughtful band from Brooklyn and a welcome reminder that art should still breath freely and be given an impartial voice in the increasingly outspoken and volatile political world that we traverse.
Their statement read: “We are excited to announce two shows in Max’s hometown, Tel Aviv, Israel, Barby on July 6th and 7th. Accompanying this announcement, we would again like to clarify our motivations and intentions for playing in Tel Aviv, Israel, with as much transparency as possible.”
They continued “Over the last seven years we’ve traveled constantly around 3 of our members’ home country, the United States, meeting each other’s families and childhood friends and sharing in the joys and sorrows of a complicated, beautiful and tumultuous home. We have grown so close. It is important for us to share our homes, families and friends with each other in order to gain a deeper understanding of one another and the people and places that have made us who we are. It is important for us to go where we have family to share space and play for them. It is foundational. It is in that spirit that we made our decision to play in Israel.
We are well aware of the cultural aspect of the BDS movement and the desperate reality of the Palestinian people. In terms of where we fit into the boycott, we don’t claim to know where the moral high ground lies and we want to remain open to other people’s perspectives and to love beyond disagreement. We understand the inherently political nature of playing there as well as the implications. Our intention is not to diminish the values of those who support the boycott or to turn a blind eye to those suffering. We are striving to be in the spirit of learning.
With this in heart, the show’s profits will be donated to NGOs that provide medical and humanitarian aid to Palestinian children, including joint efforts between Palestinians and Israelis working together for a better future.
With love, Big Thief.”
