Last night (June 17), Radiohead fans became victims of a senseless assault during a record store event in the Turkish city of Istanbul.
Such events were held all around the world in celebration of the physical release of Radiohead’s ninth studio album, A Moon Shaped Pool, though no other event took such a dark and violent turn. Unidentified men are reported to have turned up at the gathering at Velvet IndieGround and unleashed an attack on the fans present, physically beating them, breaking store property and forcing them off of the premises.
It is thought that the attackers could have been provoked by their anger towards the fans’ consumption of alcohol, which practising Muslims are supposed to abstain from throughout the month of Ramadan. Luckily there were no serious injuries, though the sense of peace and unity was ruthlessly shattered at this supposedly celebratory event.
Radiohead have since issued a statement addressing the attack, saying: “Our hearts go out to those attacked tonight at Velvet IndieGround in Istanbul. We hope that someday we will be able to look back on such acts of violence as things of the ancient past. For now, we can only offer our fans in Istanbul our love and support“.
#Peace.Love.Radiohead
