Primal Scream have had one of their 2026 shows cancelled after claims of anti-Semitism at their recent Roundhouse show, and defending their visuals as designed to “provoke debate, not hate”.
The Scottish band drew some backlash last week when they played at the London venue for a one-off gig celebrating 25 years of their classic ‘XTRMNTR’.
According to numerous reports, they had a video playing in the background of their set that allegedly showed the Star of David entwined with a swastika. The symbol was placed over the top of the eyes of political figures including Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US president Donald Trump.
After the show, a spokesperson for the venue said it is “appalled that anti-Semitic imagery was displayed” during the show, and issued an apology “to anyone who attended the gig, and to the wider Jewish community”, sharing that it was done without their knowledge.
The Community Security Trust, which offers advice and security to British Jews, has also shared that it has reported Primal Scream to the police, and the Campaign Against Anti-Semitism also described the decision to merge the Star of David with a swastika as “absolutely sickening and totally inexcusable”.
NME reached out to reps for comment, and Primal Scream later shared a statement on Instagram which seemingly defended the imagery shown at their gig.
“The film is a piece of art. It clearly draws from history to question where the actions of current world governments sit in that context,” it read. “It is meant to provoke debate, not hate. In a free, pluralistic and liberal society freedom of expression is a right which we choose to exercise.”
Now, the band have had their upcoming show in Trentham cancelled due to the controversy.
They were set to perform at the Trentham Estate on Friday August 21 as part of the Trentham Live concert series in 2026. Other headliners lined-up so far include The Wanted 2.0 and Five, and frontman Bobby Gillespie and co. were set to be joined by The Coral as special guests.
Those who had tickets to the gig have now been told that they will be receiving refunds via Ticketmaster, as the headline slot has now been cancelled.
As reported by StokeonTrentLive, the message reads: “The event organiser has asked us to share the following information: We are contacting you to let you know that we have taken the decision to cancel Primal Scream’s upcoming appearance at Trentham Live 2026.
“This decision follows recent reports of imagery used elsewhere by the band that we do not endorse. Trentham are committed to ensuring that our event is a safe, respectful and inclusive place for all and we will announce a replacement headliner for the Friday night.”
Details about the “replacement headliner” have yet to be shared, and ticketholders are set to receive an automatic refund on their original method of payment within 14 to 21 days.
Primal Scream have been vocal in their support for Palestine for years now, and recently paid tribute to The Only Ones’ Peter Perrett after he was arrested at a Palestine Action demonstration in London.
Last year, they also collaborated on a shirt design for a Palestinian refugee football team, based on their classic album ‘Screamadelica’. The team, Lajee Celtic, are based in the Aida Camp in Bethlehem in Palestine’s West Bank, and Primal Scream first collaborated with them in 2022, unveiling the ‘Palestinadelica’ branding.
Also in 2024, Gillespire teamed up with Eric Cantona on a song the ex-footballer penned for Palestinians.
The band then joined Fontaines D.C., Amyl & The Sniffers and over 400 other artists in joining the No Music For Genocide campaign, and Gillespie also joined Paul Weller and Kneecap for a ‘Gig For Gaza’ charity show in London.
