Elvis Costello’s decision earlier this week to cancel his shows in Israel was notable for several reasons, but perhaps most of all for his public statement announcing it. Most artists are not taking that step yet, but that doesn’t mean that the boycott isn’t spreading. Here is an interesting tidbit from a Forward article on Costello and the growing movement:
In reaction, a music industry insider confirmed that the winds could be shifting. The music executive, who spoke on condition of anonymity in light of his ongoing business ties with artists, said that in recent months he had approached more than 15 performing artists with proposals to give concerts in Israel. None had agreed. The contracts offered high levels of compensation. He called them “extreme, big numbers that could match any other gig.”
