Bring Me the Horizon took a stand with the people of Ukraine on Tuesday (March 1), announcing via social media that they were canceling their upcoming tour dates in Russia, Belarus and the invaded Eastern European country.
“In solidarity with Ukraine and to stand against the atrocities being committed by Russian leadership, we must cancel our forthcoming dates in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine,” the band wrote on social media. “Ukraine is an incredibly special place for us. We have toured & made numerous music videos there, making lots of strong bonds & life long friendships. We are in awe of the bravery demonstrated right now by the Ukrainian people, & we pray for a return to peace as soon as possible.
The quintet’s statement continued: “Russia, we also want to acknowledge that the atrocities being committed by Russian leadership does not reflect the ideals or beliefs of the incredible people we have met there. We will be using our platform and voice to do what we can to support Ukraine in these incredibly difficult times.”
Bring Me the Horizon is just the latest band to pull out of performing in the region amid Russia’s unprovoked and ongoing attack on its democratic neighbor, following the likes of Yungblud, Louis Tomlinson, Green Day, AJR, Iggy Pop, The Killers and more.
Last month, the British rock band released a studio version of their genre-melding collaboration with Ed Sheeran on “Bad Habits” after opening the 2022 Brit Awards with the pop superstar.
Read Bring Me the Horizon’s full statement on the Russia/Ukraine conflict below.
Taylor Swift believes Nashville has a music scene that stands apart from anywhere else.
The 36 year old singer moved to Nashville, Tennessee, when she was young to chase her dream of becoming a country music star. After being inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame on Monday (26.10.26), Taylor took the opportunity to recognise the city and the talented writers who have helped shape its music scene.
In her acceptance speech, Taylor said: "I believe you really get to master a craft by doing it again and again. That's exactly what the incredible songwriters in this wonderful town do every day."
Taylor also spoke about what makes Nashville such a special place for musicians.
The award winning singer, who ranks among the best selling music artists of all time, said: "You won't find another music community quite like this one. Trust me, I've checked them all."
Taylor also shared how being part of Nashville's songwriting scene had taught her valuable lessons about life and working with others.
She joked: "I've learned to be flexible when your co writer turns up with a hangover, or when they need to spend ages talking about their divorce before we can even get started on a song."
Taylor previously spoke about how Faith Hill and Shania Twain inspired her decision to move to Nashville.
Speaking to Time magazine, the singer said: "I couldn't get enough of watching TV biographies about Faith Hill and Shania Twain, and I realised they had both moved to Nashville to get their careers started. After that, I kept asking, pleading and begging my parents to take me there.
"When I was 11, my mum took my brother and me to Nashville during spring break, and we spent the trip driving around Music Row. She stayed in the car while I rushed into record companies one after another, giving my demo CD to the receptionists. I found it fascinating that so many major record labels were gathered along a single street, often inside little buildings and old houses.
"What really stayed with me was how welcoming people were to newcomers and complete strangers like us. We started visiting Nashville more often, and when I was 13, I received an offer for a development deal from a major record label. That was when my parents finally agreed to leave Pennsylvania and move with me."
