IAM was to launch with fanfare this Wednesday evening the 4th edition of the Jardin Sonore Festival in Vitrolles (Bouches-du-Rhône).
But at the beginning of the afternoon, the organizers received very bad news: one of the members of the rap group was warned by Social Security that he was in contact with a Covid-19 patient.
The decision is final.
According to the health rules in force, the Marseillais cannot play this evening and for ten days, the time for its members to remain in isolation and to pass a new test.
“It's a very big disappointment for everyone, the festival, the spectators, the group, admits the communications manager of the festival.
We have been working on this event for over a year and, despite all the complications, everything was ready to welcome the public.
But we respect the legislation, the group too, and we had to react very quickly.
We canceled the whole evening and warned on social networks all those who had bought a ticket and were about to come to Vitrolles.
The 1,400 spectator gauge was not quite full tonight.
Everyone will obviously be reimbursed.
"
"With the IAM group, we are against the health pass"
Ironically, IAM leader Akhenaton took a stand earlier this week against the health passport and compulsory vaccination.
"With the IAM group, we are against the health pass, against compulsory vaccination (...) Our freedoms and especially the future of our children are at stake, he explains on Twitter in a video shared by nearly 4000 people. time.
Unfortunately, these laws are extremely dangerous for everyone's future.
We must not forget that it is together that we will find solutions.
Long live life, long live love, unity, long live humanity.
"
No to # compulsory vaccination, no to # sanitary pass @ AkhenatonIAM @iamShurikN @ImhotepIAM @IamSaidOfficiel @djkheops pic.twitter.com/6wB8r4PWkG
- Official Akhenaton (@AkhenatonIAM) July 17, 2021
The organizers of the Vitrolles festival could have been offended by this stance a few days before this disappointment. "But the two things have nothing to do," responds the spokesperson for Jardin Sonore. This is the point of view of IAM musicians, their freedom, and we respect them. Unfortunately, IAM finds itself in a situation that can happen to anyone, including artists. Catherine Ringer recently had to cancel the Nuits de Fourvière for the same reasons. This first evening is canceled, but our festival resumes this Thursday normally. "It must welcome until this Saturday Philippe Katerine, Hoshi, Zucchero, Gaël Faye, Rover, Terrenoire ...
This Wednesday evening, the Live Nation France team, which produces the IAM tour, is trying to find solutions for its next concerts. The group has two other dates in the next ten days, this Thursday in Saint-Raphaël (Var) and this Sunday in Landerneau (Finistère). According to our information, the producer is trying to postpone the Saint-Raphaël concert and is waiting for significant PCR test results to make a decision on the Breton date. Contacted by Le Parisien, the members of the IAM group did not wish to speak