The Question Pro-Palestinian Coachella Rockers Can’t Answer

by

The music industry’s silence over October 7 wasn’t just deafening.

It curdled the soul.

Immediately following the brutal Hamas attacks, such as the deadly assault on a music festival which claimed the lives of numerous attendees, both Bono and Madonna swiftly expressed their opinions.

U2’s frontman shared his hurt with the band’s fans a day after the atrocities.

Given the recent events in Israel and Gaza, a song about peace and non-violence might seem somewhat ironic or even comical. Yet, our prayers have consistently been for tranquility and non-violence. However, our feelings and our rage, they are directed elsewhere. So, join us… and let’s sing together…and remember those innocent children at that music festival.

Following that incident, the industry as a whole seemed to pause in solidarity. The Grammy Awards passed by without acknowledging the still-unreleased hostages. Notably, musicians who were once vocal advocates for justice fell silent, unable to speak up for the safe release of those held captive.

Instead, they turned their ire against Israel and demanded a ceasefire.

John Ondrasik stands as a jarring exception.

Known by many as the artist behind “Superman” (Five for Fighting), he has consistently advocated for those held captive. Displeased by inflammatory visuals from the recently concluded Coachella Music and Arts Festival, often referred to as the largest music event of its kind by Variety, he did not remain silent on the matter.

During their performance, the Irish rap group Kneecap displayed a message advocating for “Freedom for Israel / Freedom for Palestine” on the screen.

In an effort to show solidarity, Green Day, known for their progressive views, momentarily paused their criticisms of President Donald Trump, instead choosing to express support for the Palestinians amidst their current struggles. They modified a lyric from “Jesus of Suburbia” to read, “Escaping pain like the children from Gaza.

In a brief excerpt from an interview, Ondrasik criticized the music industry, with particular emphasis on the band Green Day.

He criticized the music industry, stating, “Its handling of Hamas’ inhumane actions has been deplorable.” He wasn’t just referring to their silence. Instead, he pointed out that they often spread Hamas’ ideology.

Ondrasik praised Green Day’s music but posed a brutal question for the band.

If your concern for those in Gaza is genuine, wouldn’t your immediate call be for the release of the Israeli hostages since it brings an end to the conflict? Yet, this demand is rarely heard from them. So, one has to wonder: do their expressed concerns for innocents truly reflect their priorities?

David Draiman from Disturbed stands firmly with Ondrasik, sharing similar strong views on the ongoing hostage situation and the surge of antisemitic sentiments in Western societies.

The individual who plays the guitar (referred to as a rocker) contacted Billie Joe Armstrong from Green Day through social platforms, intending to express his perspective in a polite manner.

We’ll have to wait and see if that happens.

Read More

2025-04-21 23:03