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Travis Scott’s Egyptian pyramids show cancelled due to “complex production issues”

By Andy Malt | Published on Thursday 27 July 2023

Travis Scott’s planned performance at the pyramids of Giza, Egypt this weekend has been cancelled, with promoter Live Nation citing “complex production issues” as the reason for pulling the show. However, the rapper himself subsequently said that the performance will still go ahead at a later date.

In a statement, Live Nation said: “We regret to inform you that [Travis Scott’s] ‘Utopia’ show, originally scheduled for 28 Jul at the pyramids of Giza in Egypt, is cancelled. Unfortunately, despite highest efforts, complex production issues meant that the show could not be constructed in the desert. We understand that this news is disappointing and not the outcome any of us desired”.

The company also said that refunds would be provided to all ticket holders at the point of purchase. But last night Scott insisted that the show will still go ahead on another date still to be announced.

“Egypt at the pyramids will happen”, he tweeted. “But due to demand and detail logistics they just need a bit a time to set lay on lands. I will keep you posted on a date which will be soon”.

He also said that he had plans to put on “four more of these types of experiences in other places”.

This is not the first time that the show’s cancellation has been reported. Earlier this month there were reports of an intervention by an organisation called the Egyptian Musicians Syndicate which would stop Scott’s performance from going ahead.

Egypt Today published a statement from that organisation, saying: “As the Musicians Syndicate is part of the fabric of our beloved country, it works towards its stability and security and rejects any tampering with the societal values, customs, and traditions of Egypt and the Arab world”.

“After examining social media opinions and feedback”, it went on, “as well as the news circulating on search engines and social media platforms, which included authenticated images and information about peculiar rituals performed by the star during his performance, contradicting our authentic societal values and traditions, the Syndicate’s president and board of directors have decided to cancel the licence issued for hosting this type of concert, which goes against the cultural identity of the Egyptian people”.

However, Live Nation, while not specifically commenting on the remarks made by the Syndicate, insisted at the time that the performance would go ahead as planned. Posting to the Twitter account of Live Nation Middle East, it said: “There have been no changes to Travis Scott’s show in Egypt; any reports to the contrary are false. We can’t wait to celebrate ‘Utopia’ with you in Egypt!”

‘Utopia’ is also the name of Scott’s new album, which is out tomorrow. The pyramids performance was something of a launch show for the new record. Nevertheless, the rapper confirmed on Twitter earlier this week that the album will still go live tomorrow. And while there may not be a pyramids show to coincide with the new record, there is a movie.

Titled ‘Circus Maximus’, that is set to be screened in cinemas around the US from later today. It is a collaboration with Gaspar Noé, Nicolas Winding Refn, Harmony Korine, Valdimar Jóhannsson, and Kahlil Joseph, and there’s a trailer here if you’re interested.

So, with both a new album and a new movie to promote, who has time for jumping up and down in front of one of the seven wonders of the Ancient World? No one, that’s who. So thank you complex production issues. Or maybe the Egyptian Musicians Syndicate, who knows?