Quote from Alex bobby on July 17, 2025, 6:58 AM

Francofolies de Spa Faces Backlash Over Booking of Franco-Israeli Singer Amir

As Belgium's Francofolies de Spa prepares to open its gates this week, a storm of controversy is threatening to overshadow the iconic francophone music festival. The source of the uproar? The inclusion of Franco-Israeli singer Amir—a former The Voice contestant and France’s 2016 Eurovision representative—whose scheduled performance has sparked a wave of artist withdrawals, public criticism, and fierce debate over art, politics, and ethical responsibility.

The Francofolies de Spa, held annually since 1994, has long celebrated French-language music and cultural exchange. But just days before its 2025 edition is set to begin, the festival finds itself embroiled in a highly polarising political controversy stemming from Amir’s perceived pro-Israel stance.

Artists Speak Out

Multiple artists due to perform at this year’s event have objected to Amir’s presence on the lineup, citing his past participation in events supporting the Israeli army and his silence regarding the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Four acts—Lovelace, Nicou, CHOSE, and Mado—signed a joint statement rejecting his inclusion.

“As artists scheduled to perform at the Francofolies de Spa, we strongly disagree with the decision to programme Amir,” the signatories wrote, demanding the festival reconsider its stance.

Others have taken more drastic steps. Franco-Swiss singer Yoa, who was also scheduled to perform on Friday—the same day as Amir—cancelled her set altogether, saying her “social, political and humanist convictions” do not allow her to “share the stage with an artist who does not recognise the ongoing genocide in Palestine.”

Yoa specifically referenced Amir’s appearance in Hebron, an Israeli settlement deemed illegal under international law, as well as his attendance at an event in support of IDF soldiers organised by Yoni Chetboun, a right-wing Israeli politician formerly affiliated with Habayit Hayehudi (The Jewish Home) party.

Following Yoa’s exit, Brussels DJ RaQL and activist DJ LibraRomea also announced their withdrawal from the festival, citing solidarity and moral opposition.

The Festival Responds

Faced with mounting public pressure and criticism from within its own artist roster, the Francofolies organisers issued a public statement via RTBF, Belgium’s public broadcaster.

“In a dramatic context, it is understandable that citizens and artists should question us about the commitments of an artist on the bill,” they said.

While they expressed “outrage at the ongoing tragedy in Gaza” and “deep shock at the unacceptable suffering inflicted on the civilian population,” the organisers have so far refused to cancel Amir’s performance.

“We are unable to morally assess the entirety of his personal trajectory or access the innermost depths of his convictions,” the statement continued, implying that artistic merit and public persona are not always one and the same.

The festival has opted to let Amir’s set go ahead as planned, at least for now, despite “numerous messages calling for Amir to be deprogrammed.”

Amir’s Team Pushes Back

In response to the backlash, Amir’s label has condemned the situation, describing the calls for cancellation as “an outpouring of anti-Semitic hatred.”

A post on the label’s Instagram page reaffirmed support for Amir and denounced what it sees as unfair and dangerous targeting of the singer based on his heritage and selective interpretations of past actions. As of now, Amir has not issued a personal public statement regarding the controversy.

A Broader Trend in European Festivals

The Francofolies de Spa incident is part of a growing pattern in Europe where political tensions, especially surrounding the Israel-Palestine conflict, are spilling into cultural arenas like music festivals. Earlier this summer, the UK’s Glastonbury Festival was rocked by its own share of controversy after performances by Kneecap and Bob Vylan, who openly expressed pro-Palestinian views on stage.

That row led to intense political and media scrutiny, culminating in the resignation of the BBC’s Director of Music, amid accusations of biased coverage and editorial mismanagement of the event’s broadcasts.

These incidents reflect how artistic stages have increasingly become battlegrounds for political and moral narratives. While many artists view music as a platform for advocacy and activism, others argue that politicising line-ups can erode the inclusive spirit that festivals are meant to uphold.

Between Freedom of Expression and Public Accountability

At the heart of the Francofolies controversy lies a broader question that continues to challenge the music and entertainment industries: Where do we draw the line between artistic freedom and public accountability?

For many festival-goers and fans of Amir, the singer represents pop artistry and cultural crossover. For others, especially in the context of rising tensions in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories, his past actions and affiliations are seen as incompatible with human rights and social justice.

Whether the Francofolies de Spa will bow to increasing pressure in the coming days remains to be seen. But the debate it has sparked will almost certainly extend far beyond the streets of Spa—and force more cultural institutions to confront the difficult intersection of art, identity, and global politics.

Looking Forward

As Francofolies de Spa opens its doors, all eyes will be on how the situation unfolds—both on stage and behind the scenes. The festival’s handling of the Amir controversy could set a precedent for future events navigating the increasingly complex intersection of music, activism, and global politics.

Whether the festival chooses to stand firm or make adjustments in response to ongoing pressure, one thing is clear: cultural events are no longer insulated from the broader geopolitical climate, and audiences are increasingly expecting transparency, accountability, and values-driven programming.

How festivals like Francofolies respond to these demands may shape not only their reputation but also the future of artist engagement and audience trust in an evolving cultural landscape.

Conclusion

The controversy over Amir’s performance at Les Francofolies de Spa underscores the growing complexity facing global music festivals in a hyper-politicised world. As artists take principled stands and audiences demand ethical clarity, organisers are forced to navigate an increasingly fraught landscape. For now, the festival is standing by its decision to retain Amir on the lineup, but with artist withdrawals mounting and public scrutiny intensifying, the final note on this story may yet be unwritten.

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Francofolies de Spa faces backlash over Franco-Israeli singer Amir’s scheduled performance, prompting artist withdrawals and reigniting debate over politics in music festivals.