Music – War Watch

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Eurovision winner Nemo to return trophy in protest at Israel taking part in 2026
ByLisa O’Carroll December 11, 2025

‘Clear conflict’ between Eurovision ideals of ‘inclusion and dignity for all’ and decision to let Israel compete, says 2024 winnerNemo, the Swiss singer who won the 2024 Eurovision song contest, has said they are handing back their trophy in protest ov…

Read More Eurovision winner Nemo to return trophy in protest at Israel taking part in 2026
Boycotts | Contests and Prizes | European Broadcasting Union | Eurovision Song Contest | internal-open-access-from-nl | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Ireland | Israel | Israel-Gaza War (2023- ) | Israel–Iran War | Music | Netherlands | Slovenia | Spain

Eurovision Is in Turmoil as Israel’s Participation Leads to Boycott
ByAlex Marshall December 4, 2025

The Netherlands and Slovenia also said they would not take part in next year’s contest, meant to be its celebratory 70th edition.

Read More Eurovision Is in Turmoil as Israel’s Participation Leads to Boycott
Customs, Etiquette and Manners | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Music | Muslim Veiling | Muslims and Islam | Politics and Government | Tehran (Iran) | Youth

Outdoor Concerts? Uncovered Hair? Shimmying in Public? Is This Iran?
ByFarnaz Fassihi and Sanam Mahoozi December 1, 2025December 1, 2025

Young people across Iran have been leading a dramatic change in social mores in recent months. “We have a fearless young generation that is breaking taboos.”

Read More Outdoor Concerts? Uncovered Hair? Shimmying in Public? Is This Iran?
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Culture | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Jonny Greenwood | Middle East and north Africa | Music | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Pop and rock | Radiohead | Thom Yorke | World news

Radiohead’s Thom Yorke says he would ‘absolutely not’ play in Israel now
BySian Cain and agencies October 27, 2025

Singer says he will not perform in Israel while Benjamin Netanyahu remains in power, eight years after Radiohead defied criticism to perform in Tel AvivRadiohead frontman Thom Yorke has said he would not now perform in Israel, eight years after the ban…

Read More Radiohead’s Thom Yorke says he would ‘absolutely not’ play in Israel now
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Culture | Donald Trump | Europe | Eurovision | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza war | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Music | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Television

European broadcasters to vote on expelling Israel from Eurovision 2026
ByPhilip Oltermann European culture editor September 25, 2025

Broadcasters’ union says vote required after several nations threaten potential boycottThe European Broadcasting Union has confirmed it will hold an online vote in November that could see the Israeli broadcaster Kan expelled from next year’s Eurovision…

Read More European broadcasters to vote on expelling Israel from Eurovision 2026
Contests and Prizes | Eurovision Song Contest | Gaza Strip | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Music

Eurovision Members to Vote on Whether to Exclude Israel
ByAlex Marshall September 25, 2025September 26, 2025

The event’s organizer has called an extraordinary general meeting for November, with countries like Spain and Ireland saying they will not take part in the contest if Israel does.

Read More Eurovision Members to Vote on Whether to Exclude Israel
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Coldplay | Culture | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Music | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Pop and rock | The 1975 | UK news | World news

Coldplay preaching peace and love to Charlie Kirk is all well and good. But would it hurt artists to take a stand? | Elle Hunt
ByElle Hunt September 20, 2025

At Wembley, Chris Martin exhorted the crowd to ‘send love anywhere you wanna send it’. But half-hearted word salad won’t stop the rise of hateI don’t mind committing to record that I am a fan of Coldplay. A Rush of Blood to the Head, Parachutes and Viv…

Read More Coldplay preaching peace and love to Charlie Kirk is all well and good. But would it hurt artists to take a stand? | Elle Hunt
Activism | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Brian Eno | Culture | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza war | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Music | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Protest | World news

‘If you don’t make a stand now, when would you?’: inside the Together for Palestine concert
ByAmmar Kalia. Photographs by David Levene September 18, 2025

Palestinian musicians were joined by stars including Neneh Cherry and Louis Theroux for a massive four-hour fundraising concert in London. Their artistry revealed the strength and breadth of a culture under siegeIt’s a muggy midweek afternoon when a tr…

Read More ‘If you don’t make a stand now, when would you?’: inside the Together for Palestine concert
Activism | Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benjamin Netanyahu | Brian Eno | Culture | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza war | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Music | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Petrol prices | Protest | World news

‘If you don’t make a stand now, when would you?’: inside the Together for Palestine concert
ByAmmar Kalia. Photographs by David Levene September 18, 2025

Palestinian musicians were joined by stars including Neneh Cherry and Louis Theroux for a massive four-hour fundraising concert in London. Their artistry revealed the strength and breadth of a culture under siegeIt’s a muggy midweek afternoon when a tr…

Read More ‘If you don’t make a stand now, when would you?’: inside the Together for Palestine concert
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei | Benedict Cumberbatch | Benjamin Netanyahu | Brian Eno | Culture | Damon Albarn | Donald Trump | Gaza | Iran | Iran's nuclear programme | Israel | Israel-Gaza war | Israel–Iran War | Middle East and north Africa | Music | Neneh Cherry | Nuclear weapons | Palestinian territories | Paul Weller | Petrol prices | Pop and rock | UK news | World news

Together for Palestine concert: Benedict Cumberbatch, Damon Albarn and Neneh Cherry take stage at galvanising and star-studded gig for Gaza
ByMichael Hann September 18, 2025

Scores of artists, speakers and activists appear at four-hour fundraiser curated by Brian Eno – but it’s Palestinian voices who make the biggest impressionThe sheer scale of it was boggling. A total of 69 artists, speakers and activists were to appear …

Read More Together for Palestine concert: Benedict Cumberbatch, Damon Albarn and Neneh Cherry take stage at galvanising and star-studded gig for Gaza