Music

French festivals drop Eagles of Death Metal over terrorism comments

by Jeremy Mersereau

Bataclan terror attack (and Toronto ear bite) survivors the Eagles of Death Metal have been dropped from two upcoming French festivals due to controversial comments made by the band’s frontman Jesse Hughes.

EODM were booked to play the Rock en Seine and Cabaret Vert festivals in France this August, but both festivals have opted to cancel the band’s appearances, mainly due to contentious statements from Hughes about the Bataclan terror attack that killed 89 people at his concert back in November. Hughes, who apologized back in March for accusing the Bataclan staff of being in on the attacks, appears to have doubled down on his idea that at least some venue staff aided the terrorists and that political correctness surrounding Islam needs to go.

In a recent interview with professional agitator Gavin McInnes (file photo) for hyper-conservative screed factory Taki’s Magazine, Hughes said that “it’s okay to be discerning when it comes to Muslims in this day and age,” and that he spotted Muslims “celebrating in the street” during the attack. In the interview, Hughes lays blame for the attack “right in the lap” of liberal mentality and political correctness, and says that the terrorists got inside the Bataclan early, which points to staff involvement.

For their part, the French festivals cancelled the Eagles of Death Metal’s scheduled performances. The Rock en Seine wrote a statement on their Facebook page announcing their decision:

[h/t FACTMag]