PulpPulp have confirmed they will still perform at the Adelaide Festival next month, despite recent consideration of boycotting the event.
As the band explained in a statement, they were about to withdraw from Adelaide Festival in solidarity with Randa Abdel-Fattah, who was pulled from the Adelaide Writers Week event – overseen by the Adelaide Festival Corporation – last week.
Abdel-Fattah is an Australian sociologist, lawyer, and author. An advocate for Palestinian people and human rights, much of her work explores what it means to be Muslim in Australia. The Adelaide Writers Week board took her off this year’s event last week, citing her alleged commentary on Israel and Zionism.
Following the decision, over 180 writers withdrew from the event in solidarity with Abdel-Fattah, and this year’s Writers Week was cancelled. A new Adelaide Festival board has since been installed, which has issued Abdel-Fattah an apology that she accepted, and an invitation to next year’s event.
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In their statement, Pulp revealed that their management and representatives had been in conversation with the Adelaide Festival organisers since last week and were planning to withdraw from the event in support of the boycott.
However, following the apology to Abdel-Fattah and replacement of the board that cancelled her appearance, the band stated they “feel able, in good conscience” to honour their commitment to perform next month.
“Pulp were appalled to hear of the circumstances in which the Adelaide Festival board had cancelled the scheduled appearance of Randa Abdel-Fattah, and respect those who immediately spoke out against this decision,” the band wrote.
Their statement continued, “We want to make it absolutely clear that Pulp refuse to condone the silencing of voices. We celebrate difference, and oppose censorship, violence and oppression in all its forms.”
Adding that they were “asked to delay” an announcement of withdrawing from the festival, Pulp explained that the Adelaide Festival board were working to “resolve this crisis for all sides.”
“It is our understanding that the festival programmers are now acting in good faith,” the band said. “The festival board that made this dreadful decision have been replaced, and a full apology has been accepted by Randa Abdel-Fattah, who has been invited to appear next year.
“Given this new and welcome development, we feel able, in good conscience, to honour our invitation to perform in Adelaide on 27 February. We hope that our free concert will be an opportunity for different communities to come together in peace and harmony.
“You can read Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah’s statement on her Instagram account at @randaafattah.”
In addition to their free Adelaide Festival show, Pulp have locked in more tour dates in Auckland, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. The tour marks Pulp’s first shows in Australia in 13 years.
Pulp are touring in support of their critically acclaimed new album, More, released earlier this year. The band’s eighth album, which spawned the singles Spike Island and Got To Have Love, was recorded last year with producer James Ford.
More was shortlisted for this year’s Mercury Prize music award and marks the group’s first album since reuniting for the second time in 2023, and their first album since 2001’s We Love Life.
