Tag Archives: Concert

Lebanese Authorities Do Not Allow Madonna Concert

According to Al Nahar, Lebanese authorities refused to grant Imad Qanso, a regular fixture for concerts and events in Lebanon, permisssion to have a Madonna concert in Lebanon.

The cause for their refusal was, according to them, Madonna’s statements that the biggest portion of her concert’s revenue goes to the Israeli department of defense.

I’m not a fan but I know people who are actually traveling to watch her perform in UAE and Turkey and who were asking how come she didn’t make a pitstop for a gig in Lebanon.

Either way, I hardly think religious active groups and the BDS would have let the concert be had Madonna been allowed. And while I’m more inclined to see the point of view of the refusal in this case, I still disagree with it. She may be pro-Israeli but she shouldn’t be forbidden from singing here.

Al Akhbar & Lara Fabian: Disturbing Lebanese Journalism

You know what’s very sad? It’s when a leading Lebanese newspaper, amid all of what’s happening in Lebanon and the region, decides to have a picture like this as their headline, with the words “Lan Ta2ti” [She’s Not Coming] to top it all off:

I mean, who cares about the thousands getting killed in Syria? Who cares about Lebanon’s electricity crisis? Who cares about development projects with a very dangerous security cover? Who cares about the Achrafieh building collapse & Lebanon’s rental laws? Who cares about Lebanon’s crumbling infrastructure? Who cares about anything relevant, important, vital & crucial that might be happening?

Besides, Lara Fabian and a picture of the Star of David… she MUST be an Israel spy. It’s not like the Star of David is a religious symbol for Judaism or anything.

For a newspaper like Al Akhbar, the fact that Lara Fabian is not coming to Lebanon is the “it” news for a day. I’m sure they consider it a victory. And that’s a very sad thing for Lebanon and journalism. It’s sad that some journalists and newspapers might be so narrow-minded as to believe a concert in Lebanon by someone who sang in Israel is high-treason. As if the tickets revenues are going to buy rockets to fire on Lebanese and Palestinians.

It was Al Akhbar, after all, that made a big deal of the rumor that she might have been coming back after all. I wonder though, where do they stand on the very “lean” verdict that Fayez Karam got regarding his dealings with Israel? Or is it only high-treason when someone high-profile and not belonging to their political niche does it?

Al Akhbar, it’s time to stop your over obsession. No one cares anymore.

 

Lara Fabian coming to Lebanon After All?

Honestly this is getting quite confusing.

After demands to cancel Lara Fabian’s concerts and stop her from coming, the Italian-Belgian singer complied and wrote a passionate love letter to her Lebanese audience saying she won’t be a reason for tension between them.

And just when we thought the whole Lara Fabian saga is behind us, it looks like the story refuses to go away. Lara Fabian is coming for her concerts on valentine’s day and February 15th after all, according to a very heated article reposted by Lebanon Files from Al Akhbar (The article comprises the sentences: Lara Fabian not coming to the country that got Israel to kneel, etc…). You only need to read the last paragraph to see exactly how much they hate her.

Briefly, Fabian and her crew got visas to enter the country, Virgin Megastores are still selling tickets and the billboards on highways have not been removed.

I won’t go into how ridiculous and absolutely hilarious I think the statements containing “usurping entity” and “concert” in the same syntax. But this is going to be interesting to watch. And for those of us who simply can’t afford to splurge on Lara Fabian, time to bring out the pop corn and watch.

Lara Fabian’s concert organizers to BDS: “check.”

LMFAO Not Coming to Lebanon After All: Cancel Concert

Talk about ultimate weirdness… but the group responsible for this year’s summer dance anthem has canceled their Lebanese concert, according to NRJ, the event organizers.

The cause of the cancellation?

“LMFAO have canceled their event in Lebanon due to threats they received from some fanatical extremist Christians who think their Extremism is the voice of Jesus.
These extremists think that the guy featured in the LMFAO music videos is dressed like Jesus.”

Here’s the broadcast NRJ released announcing the cancellation.

I had no idea such groups existed in Lebanon in the first place. Is anyone else familiar with extreme Christian Lebanese groups? If so, what exactly are their resources to get a death threat all the way to the band?

I’m sarcastically impressed.

NRJ’s statement continues with them wondering if, in the future, Lebanon won’t be able to host eccentric artists like Lady Gaga or Madonna.

And while I’m pretty sure neither would want to come for a concert here, they do have a point…

But I digress. I’m still pretty caught up with the idea of the extreme Christian group sending a threat to LMFAO and them buying it.

I really hope this turns out to be some joke.

LMFAO in Lebanon – October 1st

Everyday they’re shufflin’ – across the world that is.

The band that brought this summer’s song, Party Rock Anthem, are bringing their party rocking to Lebanon in less than a month, courtesy of NRJ.

Tickets go on sale today at all Virgin Megastore outlets in Lebanon.. The teen and dance floor sections are selling for $40 while the ENERGY and teen lounges go for $70.

Star Academy’s Lara Scandar is making an appearance. The concert’s closing set will be mixed by my AUB friend, DJ Base.

More info can be found here.

 

In the meantime, I’ll leave you with this: