The Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region has called for concerts by Irish rock band Fontaines D.C. at Heaton Park to be cancelled. In a statement on Tuesday, the council said it had 'concerns' over 'the potential consequences of inflammatory rhetoric from the band'.
Concerns over inflammatory rhetoric
The Heaton Park shows, scheduled for July 3 and 4 next year, were announced last month. Fontaines D.C. also announced shows in Cardiff, Newcastle, Glasgow and London as part of a UK headline tour, with support from Little Simz and Viagra Boys.
The band has expressed support for Palestine at previous shows. Pictures show the phrases 'free Palestine' and 'Israel is committing genocide' appearing on screens during a gig in London last year.
Council response and safety assurances
The JRC said it had 'registered [its] profound concerns' with Manchester council over the Heaton Park shows. The statement said it expected 'robust and adequate safeguards' to be in place 'to protect the Jewish community'.
In response, the council said addressing any concerns from the Jewish community would be 'front and centre in preparations for these events'.
The statement read: "The JRC has registered our profound concerns with Manchester Council regarding Fontaines D.C.'s forthcoming concert at Heaton Park and has called for it to be cancelled.
"Despite our representations, it appears the concert will be going ahead. We expect and will be working with the council to ensure robust and adequate safeguards are in place to protect the Jewish community.
"We have no objection to Heaton Park hosting concerts. Our concerns are not about legitimate political expression but the potential consequences of inflammatory rhetoric from the band.
"At a time of heightened antisemitism, the comments and chants associated with the band risks importing tensions from the Middle East into the UK, with Jewish people here becoming the targets. The safety of our community must be paramount."
The council made a similar call for the cancellation of a gig by Bob Vylan in Manchester last year, which was re-scheduled.
Band's upcoming album and security plans
Fontaines D.C., made up of band members Grian Chatten, Carlos O'Connell, Conor Curley, Conor Deegan and Tom Coll, are set to release their fifth album Dopamine Chamber on October 16.
A Manchester council spokesperson said: "We understand the very real concerns that members of our Jewish community have in the wake of the horrific antisemitic terrorist attack at Heaton Park Synagogue last year and a wider rise in antisemitism. Our thoughts remain not just with those who lost their lives and their loved ones but with the whole Jewish community.
"We stand shoulder to shoulder with them in saying there is no place for antisemitism or discrimination of any form in Manchester and continue to work with the police, communities and other partners to provide reassurance and support.
"On the specific concerns expressed by some members of the Jewish community in relation to the two Heaton Park concerts in summer 2027, addressing these concerns will be front and centre in preparations for these events. We have met recently with members of the Jewish Representative Council and will continue to work closely with them as we develop event management plans.
"Partners from the Council, emergency services including Greater Manchester Police (GMP), and event organisers, will comprehensively review the plans in place ahead the concerts. This is standard practice for all major events in the city and is there to ensure events take place safely and successfully.
"In advance of the concerts, as with any other large-scale events, a thorough risk assessment of every aspect of the event will be carried out, focused on ensuring the safety and security of the event, its attendees and the wider community.
"The organisers, City Council and GMP will put in place suitable and proportionate mitigations and assurances to make sure that the concerts are delivered in full compliance with the licensing conditions. Organisers would also be happy to meet with concerned parties to help address any concerns. They are clear that discrimination or intimidation, including antisemitism, have no place at their events."
The Manchester Evening News has approached the band through its representatives for comment.
