Krewella, who were due to headline Sunburn Festival‘s 10th anniversary edition this week, have been denied a visa to India due to political tensions between India and Pakistan.
The duo, consisting of sisters Jahan and Yasmine, have a Pakistani heritage and were repeatedly denied a visa to India for the same reason. Taking to their social media channels, Krewella announced that they won’t be able to play at the festival this week, having tried all possible means to get a visa, as well as assuring fans that they are working to make it up to their fans, with possible future tour dates. However, the way relations stand between India and Pakistan, the outcome for that looks grim at the moment.
I’ve always believed that music (and other forms of art for that matter) stands above all borders, be it geographical, racial or religious, and should be kept separate from political issues. Music has the power to bring people together, and end discrimination, and that’s what the whole dance music scene has stood for ever since its nascent stages.
To quote Kaskade, who said:
As far as a music culture goes, EDM is the one who will accept the kids on the outliers, the ones who get bullied, the ones who feel like they may not quite fit in. This community is exceptional in its ability to bond all types together, and I am not exaggerating when I say it saves lives. Our audience is intelligent and kind, discriminating only in regards to which sound they like best. Our audience is unprecedented in their drive to proactively support each other.
Till then, all we can do is hope that the situation can be resolved in the coming future.
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