The Istanbul edition of the July 7 global Live Earth concerts has been cancelled. Organizers are now seeking a site to erect giant screens in the city to take TV feeds from the remaining eight shows around the world.
Reports in the Turkish press point to the non-appearance of promised government support and a failure to attract sponsorship from big business as the reasons for the concert being nixed.
No tickets were sold, so the public will not be out of pocket. Major Turkish artists like Mor ve Otesi, Sebnem Ferah, and Hayko Cepkin had agreed to play the date, although it is understood that no contracts had been signed.
Purple Concerts, the promoter of the Turkish show, declined to issue an official statement, but said it was still willing to stage the concert if it could drum up government support. A U.K. spokesman for the Live Earth said in a statement, "The Turkey show has been restructured and changed because of unforeseen logistical problems in Istanbul.
Turkish music industry sources say local businesses have shied away from sponsoring the show for fear of criticism from environmental groups who may accuse their factories of helping stoke global warming. Politicians are also preoccupied with the Turkish general election, to be held on July 22.
In other Live Earth news, Shakira and Enrique Iglesias have joined the lineup for the Hamburg show, which will also feature Chris Cornell, Katie Melua, Mana, Sasha and Snoop Dogg.
Reports in the Turkish press point to the non-appearance of promised government support and a failure to attract sponsorship from big business as the reasons for the concert being nixed.
No tickets were sold, so the public will not be out of pocket. Major Turkish artists like Mor ve Otesi, Sebnem Ferah, and Hayko Cepkin had agreed to play the date, although it is understood that no contracts had been signed.
Purple Concerts, the promoter of the Turkish show, declined to issue an official statement, but said it was still willing to stage the concert if it could drum up government support. A U.K. spokesman for the Live Earth said in a statement, "The Turkey show has been restructured and changed because of unforeseen logistical problems in Istanbul.
Turkish music industry sources say local businesses have shied away from sponsoring the show for fear of criticism from environmental groups who may accuse their factories of helping stoke global warming. Politicians are also preoccupied with the Turkish general election, to be held on July 22.
In other Live Earth news, Shakira and Enrique Iglesias have joined the lineup for the Hamburg show, which will also feature Chris Cornell, Katie Melua, Mana, Sasha and Snoop Dogg.
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