Amiens concert venue cancels Barbara Butch electro performance after pro-Palestinian boycott call

Security assessment in Amiens

La Lune des Pirates, a concert hall in Amiens in the Somme department, cancelled an electronic music event scheduled for 19 September 2026. The evening, titled "Clôture en musiques électroniques", was planned as part of the venue's opening and the European Heritage Days. Three artists were scheduled to perform during the evening, including DJ Barbara Butch. In a statement posted to social media on 9 September 2026, organizers explained that following a review of contextual factors and specific club access constraints, conditions for public safety and audience reception were no longer met. According to local reports by Le Courrier Picard, ticket holders received email notifications and can claim ticket refunds.

Boycott campaign and Yadan bill controversy

The cancellation followed a boycott campaign launched on 3 September 2026 on X by the Amiens section of Association France Palestine Solidarité (AFPS), supported by La France Insoumise (LFI). The pro-Palestinian group targeted Butch over her past political stances and public activities regarding Israel. AFPS pointed to her signature on a petition supporting the controversial Yadan bill, a legislative proposal to counter renewed forms of antisemitism that opponents argued conflated criticism of Israeli government policy with antisemitism. The French government withdrew the legislative proposal in April, and Butch stated in June that she regretted signing the petition. The association also criticized her for performing at an event held at the French ambassador's residence in Israel in 2025. Butch, a 45-year-old Jewish and queer artist who gained international prominence during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony, has faced repeated harassment online regarding her sexual orientation and appearance. Following the venue's announcement, AFPS celebrated the cancellation on Instagram as proof that their boycott campaign had succeeded.

Preceding disruption at Grenoble festival

The Amiens cancellation follows an earlier confrontation during the Cabaret Frappé festival in Grenoble on 18 July 2026. During that set, an influx of approximately 100 pro-Palestinian and LFI demonstrators forced the performance to halt after roughly 20 minutes. Demonstrators hurled gravel and glass bottles toward the stage after local LFI leadership called for a boycott of the set. The city government of Grenoble subsequently announced that it would file a formal legal complaint. Following the Grenoble unrest, French Culture Minister Catherine Pégard issued two circulars in late July 2026 to regional prefects and sitting judges to enforce stronger sanctions against the unlawful obstruction of artistic expression.

Political reactions across Hauts-de-France

Elected officials in northern France voiced strong opposition to the venue's decision to call off the event. Xavier Bertrand, president of the Hauts-de-France regional council, criticized the move on X, stating that political pressure must not govern cultural scheduling.

We do not choose the artists who have the right to take the stage based on their opinions, their religion or the struggles attributed to them. In France, political intimidation must not dictate cultural programming.

Pierre Savreux, vice-president of Amiens Métropole, similarly warned against introducing overseas geopolitical disputes into local municipal venues.

Importing geopolitical conflicts to intimidate an artist is a major and worrying democratic drift.