Egyptian MP demands answers over Travis Scott’s concert

On 18 July, Egypt’s Musicians Syndicate announced that it will not allow the planned concert at the Giza pyramids on 28 July “to ensure the safety and protection of the audience.”

However, according to event promoter Live Nation, the show is still set to go ahead with tickets sold out. Live Nation said: “There have been no changes to Travis Scott’s show in Egypt, any reports to the contrary are false. We can’t wait to celebrate Utopia with you in Egypt!”

But at the weekend, Ticketsmarche, the local company authorised to organise the concert said Travis Scott’s equipment was seized and the organisers were prevented from entering the pyramids area.

The company’s CEO Mohamed Serag told local media that the concert’s fate is now unknown. “We do not know what we will do, especially if the last date for the equipment to enter was Wednesday. However, nothing new has happened given that most state institutions are on official leave until Sunday,” Serag said.

“We have all the permits and we do not know the reason for preventing the entry of the equipment, especially since the Egyptian Musicians Syndicate does not have the authority to cancel the concert, nor does it have the power to prevent the entry of the equipment. It also made it clear that the whole matter is in the hands of the authorities.”

Now the matter has found its way into the floor of Egyptian parliament with MP Freddy al-Bayadi seeking clarification from the government.

“Was it cancelled or will it take place on time?” Bayadi asked. “After much controversy and some demands to cancel the concert of international singer Travis Scott, which was scheduled for Friday at the pyramids, until now there is confusion regarding the statements.

“There is no confirmation from the government whether the concert will be cancelled or held. Why is there no clear statement issued by the concerned authorities regarding the matter?

“If the concert is still going on, what are the measures that the ministries of Interior, Tourism and Local Development will take to ensure the organisation of the concert and prevention of any violations or accidents as a result of the expected crowding?”

“All tickets for this concert were sold out as soon as they were offered, and previous concerts in other countries were attended by huge numbers of people, some of which were plagued by poor organisation, stampedes, and attendance greater than the capacity of the venues.”

The rapper, who is expected to unveil his upcoming fourth studio album Utopia during the concert, scheduled to take place in the Sound and Light area near the pyramid complex, is facing opposition from the Musicians Syndicate.

Dr Mohamed Abdullah, in a statement on behalf of the Musicians Syndicate, said: “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. 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 licence issued for hosting this type of concert, which goes against the cultural identity of the Egyptian people.”

The Musicians Syndicate has not specified which rituals Travis Scott is accused of performing. In 2021, 10 fans were crushed to death during the musicians’ Astroworld Festival performance in Houston, Texas, where some say he used satanic imagery as part of his visual show.

The Musicians Syndicate says it plays a crucial role in regulating the music industry in Egypt and ensuring the preservation of cultural heritage. According to AFP, the regulatory body rarely opposes such events, but in recent years has spearheaded a fight against musical genres deemed improper in Egypt, with hip hop a frequent target.

“Egypt has also increasingly opposed what it views as a ‘rewriting’ of its history, finding fault with African American movements that claim cultural affiliation to the ancient pharaohs,” AFP said.

Recently, many in Egypt, including former minister of antiquities Zahi Hawass, criticised the Netflix series Queen Cleopatra for casting a biracial woman, British actress Adele James, to play the role of the ancient ruler.

“Cleopatra was not black; as a Greek, she was similar to the queens and princesses of Macedonia. During the 25th dynasty, the Kingdom of Kush ruled Egypt and those were Kushite pharaohs, but they had nothing to do with ancient Egyptian civilization,” Hawas said on Facebook earlier this year.