UPDATE 3:10 P.M.: David Bowie tribute organizer Michael Dorf has shared an official statement in response to The Roots' cancellation, according to Pitchfork. Dorf says there was a miscommunication regarding equipment and that he hopes the Roots will reconsider joining the performance "after a nights sleep and knowing we have a much larger stage with multiple drum kits." You can read his full statement below.
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See the original post below.
The Roots have unexpectedly pulled out of their scheduled performance at the upcoming David Bowie tribute shows in New York City. The famous Philadelphia group was originally slated to take the stage at Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall tonight (March 31) and April 1 as part of the David Bowie all-star tribute service that was announced back in January. Questlove announced the news on his personal Instagram last night, writing, "I've never been so insecure or petty as to deny a fellow musician use of ANY of my equipment (or my band's equipment----or resources or contacts or knowledge or ANYTHING) it angers me when that same courtesy is not reciprocated." He went on to say that the Roots along with Bilal, Kimbra, Wendy Melvoin, DD Jackson, and Ray Angry would not be performing at either tribute concert. "We have patience. But we do NOT have patience for the#Bitchassness. Enjoy your precious equipment," he concluded the post.
Mumford & Sons, Michael Stipe, Cyndi Lauper, the Mountain Goats, Heart's Ann Wilson, Perry Farrell, Jakob Dylan, and others are all still set to perform, according to the event's website. The page asks that people who wish to stream the performances make a donation to support one of their charity partners including the Melodic Caring Project, Grammy in the Schools, and Young Audiences New York. Fans will be able to stream the event titled, "The Music of David Bowie," on the website here. You can read Questlove's full announcement below.
