Incident at Regina Spektor’s Concert
The concert by singer-songwriter Regina Spektor in Portland, Maine, was interrupted by pro-Palestinian demonstrators over the weekend. During the middle of her show on Saturday, some audience members began shouting "Free Palestine" chants. This interruption reflects the ongoing tension within the music community about how to address the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Regina Spektor’s Response
Spektor, who emigrated to New York as a child from the Soviet Union, addressed the demonstrators directly. In a video recorded by a fan, she can be seen responding to a demonstrator in the crowd at Revolution Hall who started screaming "Free Fucking Palestine." Other pro-Israeli audience members also chanted "Am Israel Chai," which is Hebrew for "The People of Israel Live." Spektor expressed her appreciation for security and seemed taken aback by the outburst, stating, "I don’t know what he is doing."
Background on Regina Spektor
In the past, Spektor has expressed her support for Israel. Just a few days after the Nova Music Festival attack, she wrote about the devaluation of Jewish life and the impact of such attacks on Jewish children and women. Her stance on Israel has been clear, making the interruption at her concert particularly noteworthy.
Demonstrators’ Actions
Another fan began screaming "Free, Free Palestine" after the initial outburst. Spektor responded, "I thought it was different from the internet, that is real life." A third participant interrupted before the show could continue, stating, "A genocide happens. I observe how children hurt in dying." Spektor addressed these individuals, saying, "You can leave the show if you want, this is not an internet comment area. I know that you confuse my show with a YouTube video."
Spektor’s Message to Demonstrators
Spektor continued, "I think you should go, this is not the right place for this conversation. I am a real person who has come here to play music. If someone wants to go out, this is your chance. Would you like to take a walk?" Some fans can be seen in the video responding to Spektor’s invitation. She also shared a personal anecdote, "The only reason why I speak English is that I came here to escape this shit. I only speak English because I came from a country in which people treated Jews as differently, and I will be hired here and it is shit."
Ongoing Tensions in the Music Community
The incident at Spektor’s concert reflects the broader tensions within the music community regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict. Groups like Kneecap and Bob Vylan have faced controversy for their pro-Palestine and anti-Israel messages at music festivals. Kneecap shared a message on a screen behind them during Coachella that read "Fuck Israel, Free Palestine." Bob Vylan lost their US visa and was dropped by UTA after stimulating a "death of the IDF" chant at Glastonbury in June.
Response to Controversy
These actions have been criticized by Jewish interest groups, who have referred to the messages as anti-Semitic. Both Kneecap and Bob Vylan have denied these claims, stating that their words were directed at the Israeli government and not at the Jewish people. In a post on Instagram addressing the controversy, Bob Vylan wrote, "We are not for the death of Jews, Arabs or another breed or a group of people. We are to break down a violent military machine." The ongoing debate highlights the challenges of addressing political conflicts within the context of artistic expression and public performance.
