Blondie reveal they turned down an offer to perform in Sochi
The New York band tweeted a photo of the offer to play during the Winter Olympics
nme.com
By Rhian Daly – 8th February 2014
Blondie have revealed they rejected an offer to perform after a medal ceremony during the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi.
The legendary New York band tweeted a photo of the offer to play in front of a crowd of 25,000 people at the Red Rocks festival next week (February 13), on the Sochi Medals Plaza. But the group turned down the invite to play the 45-minute set on human rights grounds.
#pass4humanrights #Sochi2014 pic.twitter.com/b7A8HA0SsZ
— Debbie Harry/BLONDIE (@BlondieOfficial) February 7, 2014
A host of stars have already voiced their objections against the games being held in Russia, on the basis of the country’s controversial anti-gay laws, with the likes of Cher, Madonna and Lady Gaga all speaking out against the event.
The 2014 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony took place last night (February 7), where tATu performed alongside the Russian Police Choir, with the latter covering Daft Punk’s ‘Get Lucky’.
Meanwhile, it was announced this week that Blondie are to be crowned Godlike Geniuses at this year’s NME Awards. One of the most iconic groups of the past four decades, the band will pick up the award in person and also perform live at the NME Awards 2014 with Austin, Texas on Wednesday, February 26 at London O2 Academy Brixton.
“It feels madness and Godlike and thunderbolts and throwing things down on the masses and obliterating whole sections of humanity with my guitar,” Chris Stein said. “We’re all very happy to be acknowledged in any way,” Debbie Harry added.
