After Egyptian authorities put the kibosh on Travis Scott’s planned ‘Utopia’ launch event at the Pyramids of Giza, Live Nation confirms the show’s cancellation.
Travis Scott’s highly-anticipated forthcoming album Utopia drops on Friday (July 28), but the artist’s planned launch performance in Egypt at the Pyramids of Giza will not be taking place to celebrate it. Live Nation released a statement on Wednesday (July 26) announcing the cancellation of the launch event due to “complex production” issues. Refunds will be issued to all ticket holders at the point of purchase.
“We regret to inform you that the Utopia show, originally scheduled for July 28 at the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt is canceled. Unfortunately, despite highest efforts, complex production issues meant that the show could not be constructed in the desert,” writes Live Nation in a statement on Twitter. “We understand that this news is disappointing and not the outcome any of us desired.”
The event’s cancellation arrives on the heels of the Egyptian Syndicate of Musical Professions’ announcement that they would be suing Travis Scott to prevent his performance in the country. Egyptian lawyer Amr Abdelsalam appeared on Memri TV to discuss the decision ahead of the concert, claiming Scott participates in “satanic rites” and supports “global freemasonry.”
“This singer has a black record; he is known to be a staunch supporter of global freemasonry and the Afrocentric organization that opposes Egyptian identity and heritage. We have taken all the legal measures to prevent this show,” said the lawyer. “In his shows, the American rapper performs the full range of satanic rites (…) The well-being of Egyptian citizens is more important to us than holding such a show and justifying it by saying that we need to invigorate tourism.”
Initially, Live Nation refuted reports that the event had been canceled. Still, event organizers claimed that Travis Scott and his team, who were already in Egypt, had been barred from approaching the pyramids when preparations for the event were to begin on July 20.
Meanwhile, Travis has been teasing multiple versions of cover art for the LP and, on July 25, released a trailer for a first look at the companion film, Circus Maximus, in theaters on July 27.