LISBON, Portugal (CelebrityAccess MediaWire) — NATO has reared its diplomatic head and caused Arcade Fire to cancel their Portuguese performance.
The Canadians were forced to cancel an upcoming concert in Lisbon after officials intervened, citing "security concerns," according to The Guardian of London. The band's Atlantic Pavilion gig was due to take place during the same weekend as a Nato summit.
"The band are disappointed to be forced into this situation but there's nothing more we can do," said Scott Rodger, the group's manager, in a statement.
Portuguese authorities claim security forces will be stretched too thin over November 18-20 to look after Montreal's indie stars and their tens of thousands of fans. Although the band reportedly proposed to bring the concert forward and play instead on November 17, this offer was rebuffed according to The Guardian.
According to the Publico newspaper, concert promoters Everything Is New have been negotiating since July with Portugal's ministry of foreign affairs, trying to squeeze the band past Nato's security cordons. But the Atlantic Pavilion is simply too close to Lisbon's International Fair site, which will host the summit for Nato heads of state and government.
Twenty thousand fans were said to have bought tickets to the show according to The Guardian. Arcade Fire said they only heard of the troubles last weekend, and will try to "get back" to Portugal soon.
— Crystal Lynn Huntoon
