So Travis Scott is releasing his Utopia album and (not A24-affiliated) Circus Maximus film this week, right? Even before announcing the album the rapper was scheduled to mark the occasion with a performance in front of the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt on Friday (July 28).
Numerous outlets reported last week that the Egyptian government had cancelled the concert over safety concerns in the wake of the deadly 2021 Astroworld crowd crush, as well as Scott's "peculiar rituals." Then, Live Nation refuted the claims — which they've now walked back, with Live Nation Middle East confirming that the show will in fact not be happening.
"We regret to inform you that the UTOPIA show, originally scheduled for July 28th at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt is cancelled," reads a statement posted to the concert promoter's regional Twitter account. "Unfortunately, despite highest efforts, complex production issues meant that the show could not be constructed in the desert. We understand that this news is disappointing and not the outcome any of us desired."
Numerous outlets reported last week that the Egyptian government had cancelled the concert over safety concerns in the wake of the deadly 2021 Astroworld crowd crush, as well as Scott's "peculiar rituals." Then, Live Nation refuted the claims — which they've now walked back, with Live Nation Middle East confirming that the show will in fact not be happening.
"We regret to inform you that the UTOPIA show, originally scheduled for July 28th at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt is cancelled," reads a statement posted to the concert promoter's regional Twitter account. "Unfortunately, despite highest efforts, complex production issues meant that the show could not be constructed in the desert. We understand that this news is disappointing and not the outcome any of us desired."
Live Nation Middle East that refunds would be issued for ticketholders at their point of purchase. While they cited "complex production issues," previous reports from the government-affiliated Musicians Syndicate pointed to revoking Scott's performance permit because his show "goes against the cultural identity of the Egyptian people."