Zara Larsson will no longer perform at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix’s Yasalam After-Race Concerts on December 3, where she was set to co-headline with Lewis Capaldi. The Swedish pop star confirmed the decision after fans urged her to cancel over the UAE’s alleged role in Sudan’s civil war. When one fan asked her not to go, she replied simply:“I will not be going to Abu Dhabi.”
She later added context, saying she spent time thinking it over and that skipping the show“aligns with me the most right now, for many different personal reasons beyond politics.”The UAE denies accusations that it funds Sudan’s RSF paramilitary group. Meanwhile, the United Nations describes Sudan as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with 13 million people displaced.
The timing is notable. Macklemore was recently dropped from Ed Sheeran’s tour following a Pro-Palestine speech, and fans are clearly paying attention to where their favorite artists choose to perform. As of this week, Ticketmaster and the Grand Prix’s Yasalam page still listed Larsson on the lineup, so whether the billing gets updated is worth watching. Do you think artists should cancel shows over political concerns? Let us know in the comments.
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Local Lawton
Local Lawton is a contributor to LocalBeat, covering local news and community stories.