Music after Paris attacks

The music world is still upset by Paris assaults that on Friday night killed 129 people. Most of them were at Bataclan, the historic concert hall where the Eagles of Death Metal were playing. What should have been a party night of pure entertainment and rock music with the ironic California band turned into the theatre

The music world is still upset by Paris assaults that on Friday night killed 129 people. Most of them were at Bataclan, the historic concert hall where the Eagles of Death Metal were playing. What should have been a party night of pure entertainment and rock music with the ironic California band turned into the theatre of horror. The victims include young and adult poeple of every nationality and religion as well as the reporter of the weekly magazine Les InRocks Guillaume B Decherf, product manager Thomas Ayadhave and merchandiser Nick Alexander.

Eagles of Death Metal at Bataclan a few moments before terrorist raid ©Emmanuel Wino
EoDM at Bataclan a few moments before terrorist raid © Emmanuel Wino

Musicians had emotional reactions of pain, upset and empathy, which they shared on social media. The U2 cancelled the concert they should have held in the French capital the day after the attacks and went to the venue to pray and lay flowers. “When you think about it, the majority of victims from last night’s attacks were music fans”, said Bono Vox. “So this really is the first direct hit on music we’ve had on this so-called war on terror. We know that they don’t like music… and this and the cold-blooded aspect of last night’s attacks are what are really upsetting because it means it could have been any of us”.

Iconic image of 13 November’s Paris attacks
Iconic image of 13 November’s Paris attacks

A mourning world, shot through the heart in an iconic place, a XIX century theatre that had been already threatened by anti-Israeli activists and Islamic fundamentalists because its owners are Jews and because of its music schedule. Velvet Underground, Jeff Buckley, Blur, David Byrne and many other artists performed a concert at Bataclan. And also Foo Fighters who, upon news, cancelled their tour: “In light of this senseless violence, the closing of borders, and international mourning, we can’t continue right now. There is no other way to say it. This is crazy and it sucks. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who was hurt or who lost a loved one”.

Madonna did perform in her concert in Stockholm but on the stage she said emotionally. “In many ways, I feel torn. Like why am I up here dancing and having fun when people are crying over the loss of their loved ones?” And she tweeted: “we are all immigrants”. On the other side of the ocean, Cat Power also extended her support to the Middle East: “We all mourn for the fallen in Beirut and Paris and the million displaced Syrian refugees these days. We pray the leaders become enlightened to these and all other crimes against humanity”.

In the meantime, on Saturday, the day after the assaults, a man (Davide Martello) put his portable piano on a trailer and rode to Rue Richard Lenoir. Once in front of the Bataclan, he started to play “Imagine”. Then, he stood up and went away greeted with applause and tears of those who were there.

German piano player Davide Martello outside the Bataclan
German piano player Davide Martello outside the Bataclan

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