OVO Arena Wembley came under fire in December when Hozier fan Hiba Ahmad reported her Free Palestine scarf was confiscated by security while attending the singer's Unreal Unearth tour. At the time, the venue informed attendees that they were acting on instructions from Hozier's camp. They have since apologized via social media and clarified that “the decision to stop the guest did not follow the wishes of the artist”.
In response to the arena's recognition of the issue, Hozier He wrote: “Thank you OVO Arena Wembley for clearing up this misunderstanding. The team and I have a zero-marking policy of any kind and I feel sorry for Hiba and her friends who experienced this at the London show.”
Ahmad recounted her OVO Arena experience in a thread on X (formerly Twitter) the night of the concert. “So tell me why I got pulled over and escorted to the closet on a body cam for wearing a Palestine solidarity scarf to @Hozier's concert?” started. “Not even a kiffiyeh, just a Free Palestine scarf that I wear literally everywhere in solidarity AND BECAUSE IT'S SO COLD!”
Ahmad went on to detail her interactions with security at the event, including an exchange where she recalled being told “They're taking my scarf for my own protection as they might make me a hate crime.” [sic] to wear.” He added: “@Hozier, the arena insisted it was your team that asked for this.”
Hozier responded directly to Ahmad within hours, Writing: “Hi Hiba, thank you for bringing this to our attention. We are looking into this matter with the venue, but I can categorically state that there was no request made by me for this and my tour did not give any instructions about refusing entry to certain items of clothing or indeed flags. Thanks.”
A few days later, Ahmad shared an update after speaking with OVO Arena's general manager, who assured her that the scarf was not against venue policy. She was told once again that security had acted “at the behest of Hozier's tour manager, who had insisted that all references to Palestine be removed from the arena”.
But OVO Arena Wembley's full statement in response to the incident, shared on February 22, led to this. “This was an isolated incident where site policy was not followed properly,” it said. “The decision to stop the guest was not in accordance with the wishes of the artist. We have apologized to those involved and are making a donation to the UNICEF Appeal for Children in Gaza.”
Last week, during a show in Mexico City, Hozier delivered one speaking calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and urging fans to contact their local representatives.
from our partners at https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/hozier-fan-free-palestine-scarf-removal-response-1234975437/
