discussion It is ethical for artists to perform in Saudia Arabia / other Gulf States?

[KatyPrismSpirit]

Well? What do you think and what is your honest opinion? Do you think Western artists who uphold Western values should do business with Saudi Arabia, Dubai or other Gulf States (Qatar, Bahrein) such as musical performances or endorsements? 

 

I want to hear about your opinion since the ethical implications of this don't really seem concrete and people have different views. Arabic nations such as those mentioned above have been known for several immoral policies and practices. These policies include discriminatory attitudes towards women and homosexuality, environmental concerns and other social concerns such as poor working conditions for construction workers (famously during the Qatar world cup).

 

There have been artists like Bebe Rexha and Beyoncé who have made the decision to perform in these countries in the past two years. There have also been other artists such as Dua Lipa who have refrained from performing in the Middle East, citing moral concerns. 

 

Should artists be allowed to perform there? And if so what arguments can be made to justify their decision?

Edited September 2 by KatyPrismSpirit

[West Coast]

Yes it's not our fault what our governments does/believes in and the idiotic boycott hasn't changed a thing but piss fans that live there off

 

[LittleStarmen]

If its a show for fans is very different if its for the king/sheik or private event like beyonce performing her lgbtq album but hiding alll queersness from it for that hotel check.

 

Dubai/Abu Dahbi is middle ground because they are trying to be "progressive" in the area so performing can be seen as liberating.

 

Anyone else is electric chair.

Edited September 2 by LittleStarmen

[The_Bling]

"Ethically moral"

[JoeAg]

the fans aren't representative of the entireties of the countries they just so happen to be born in and often don't have the resources/want to necessarily always leave 

[dumbsparce]

In a private setting and politics aside, there's sth so sinister in the sight of a female popstar specifically performing for a bunch of fundamentally conservative multibillionaires with 48 legal wives. It's giving prostitution almost.

[Kayseri Mantisi]

There are ATRLers living in those countries you listed, do you really think they're homophobic or discriminating women while they're talking about Gaga all day here government and actual people living in there are different things

[Princess Aurora]

Why not? They might bring change 

[KatyPrismSpirit]

1 minute ago, Kayseri Mantisi said:

There are ATRLers living in those countries you listed, do you really think they're homophobic or discriminating women while they're talking about Gaga all day here government and actual people living in there are different things

Of course, but I'd assume this is a topic that is being discussed behind the scenes in the music industry, especially since a lot of businessmodels are working towards strategies with integrity nowadays.

 

Also there are instances where the organizations behind these events prevent Western artists from performing sexually explicit songs or songs that promote homosexuality. So often, this does lead to Westen artists having to compromise their own art based on their cultural beliefs. 

[Virgos Groove]

It's a complicated issue. On the one hand, performing in places like Dubai or Qatar indirectly legitimizes their governments and their attempts at "progressive"-washing.

 

At same time tho, pop girls have no problem performing for people like Obama or Biden, who drone striked thousands in the Middle East and endorsed a genocide in Palestine, respectively. Yet no one asks for a Russia-style boycott of the United States.

 

So the moral grandstanding can come off as hypocritical or myopic. It's like how people were criticizing Chappell for performing in red states... despite her literally being born in a red state. Do people deserve to be punished for their terrible leaders?

Edited September 2 by Virgos Groove

[punisher]

not at all tbh

id get it if yall kept the same energy for america but people love to portray it as a heaven-sent country meanwhile any country in the middle east is like the scum of the earth

whenever an artist does a tour in america that's just more money in the governments pockets to kill children so

[Cheers]

With that logic, no one should be performing in southern US states

[king_queen]

34 minutes ago, LittleStarmen said:

If its a show for fans is very different if its for the king/sheik or private event like beyonce performing her lgbtq album but hiding alll queersness from it for that hotel check.

 

Dubai/Abu Dahbi is middle ground because they are trying to be "progressive" in the area so performing can be seen as liberating.

 

Anyone else is electric chair.

Hey so Beyoncé didn't perform one song from Renaissance in Dubai  

[king_queen]

"Is it ethical for artists for perform in Florida?" 

[EtherealCat]

i feel it is not appropriate after how they threatened shakira

[Space Cowboy]

Is it ethical for artist to perform in the US? The country that has killed around 1 million people in the middle east in the last 20 years 

[EndofASadMovie]

Performing for your fans is acceptable since they are your fans and the fans of a pop girl in those countries are probably more progressive than we think. Idk just my opinion. It's a bit questionable to perform for the rich and the government organized events tho. 

[Mr.X]

26 minutes ago, Virgos Groove said:

It's a complicated issue. On the one hand, performing in places like Dubai or Qatar indirectly legitimizes their governments and their attempts at "progressive"-washing.

 

At same time tho, pop girls have no problem performing for people like Obama or Biden, who drone striked thousands in the Middle East and endorsed a genocide in Palestine, respectively. Yet no one asks for a Russia-style boycott of the United States.

 

So the moral grandstanding can come off as hypocritical or myopic. It's like how people were criticizing Chappell for performing in red states... despite her literally being born in a red state. Do people deserve to be punished for their terrible leaders?

I think you've hit the nail on the head.

 

I also think that no pop star should be aligning themselves with PROPAGANDA which is what performing for Obama/Biden/Harris and also the heads of the UAE means. It is a similar issue with artists and products who are paid/supported by the Israeli state: these are propaganda tactics.

 

Put it this way: Beyonce performing in Dubai for that awful Hotel chain is evil, but it is not boycott worthy in real terms because she is not promoting an oppressive regime. she is only being a filthy billionaire capitalist for the worst people in the world: billionaires. In other worlds, we would also boycott this type of event/artist but there are more prescient things to boycott/revolutionise against first!

[Solaria]

This discussion to me always comes down to the perception that only fans in Western countries are entitled to see their favourite popstars perform.

 

That's not to say that performances like Beyoncé's in Dubai are necessarily for hardcore fans, but why should only Western fans or institutions be privileged to see performances from their favourite artists?

[pigeon]

If it is a private event/rich people/elites, no. If it is a part of the concert tour/festival that is open to fans, yes. There are many queer and/or marginalized people who just happen to be born there.

[Peak Now]

Honestly I can understand performing there for the fans per se, because (as many have stated) they don't deserve to be neglected just because their government is being shitty, especially when in many cases they didn't even get to choose their government. But I also think it's a different case if the show is sponsored/done on behalf of said governments.

 

That being said, putting on a show in these places probably requires some cooperation with the government, ranging from just paperwork or changing the show's content to comply with government regulations...

Edited September 2 by AndThenTheCocaine

[glitch]

It's only an issue for me when they put on private performances for these dodgy people, Rita Ora I'm looking at you

 

[Revolution]

Until they end their slavery, yes!

[Badgalbriel]

If it's a show for the fans, then it's ok. It's a show for a rich guy, then no. 

[Strawberry Bubble]

Concerts and music, in general, provide minorities with a temporary escape from the oppression they experience. Art offers people a way to momentarily break free from their suffering; everyone deserves moments of happiness instead of constantly living under oppression.