Matisyahu’s incredible response to anti-Israel Meow Wolf staff canceling concert

In an interview with Billboard, Matisyahu delved into the unforeseen challenges he encountered during his scheduled performances in Santa Fe and Tucson, Arizona, earlier this month. Anti-Isael Meow Wolf employees stymied the artist from being able to perform in Santa Fe. The reggae musician, who is Jewish and supportive of Israel, faced abrupt cancellations at Meow Wolf in Santa Fe and Rialto Theatre in Tucson, attributing the disruptions to security concerns spurred by protesters. Undeterred, Matisyahu swiftly organized a complimentary concert at The Rock in Tucson to the delight of his fans.

Matisyahu recounted the sequence of events, noting, “There have been protesters at my shows, and two shows got canceled. One of them in New Mexico, where after we had driven hundreds of miles set up, had a sold out show, fans were starting to come, the staff claims that they were afraid to come into the show because of like, tenant protesters.” 

He further explained the skepticism surrounding the staff’s claims, which led to the last-minute cancellation in Santa Fe. The following night in Tucson presented similar issues, prompting Matisyahu to take matters into his own hands. “I myself started making phone calls and found another venue, a legendary reggae venue down the street. […] They claimed there that it was a security issue at the Rialto, so we moved everything, found a completely new staff in two hours and had a beautiful concert with no security issues.”

Matisyahu expressed his resilience and determination to continue his tour despite the obstacles, stating, “People can say what they want, but we know why these shows are being canceled. The bottom line is that we’re going to continue and we’re going to play every show on the tour and any venue that cancels, I have backup venues in every city in America. I’ve been doing 200 shows a year for 20 years in this country, and so we will play our shows regardless.”

Following the cancellations, Meow Wolf and Rialto Theatre both cited safety and staffing concerns as the primary reasons for their decisions, emphasizing their commitment to the safety of their employees and guests. Meow Wolf’s statement claimed its dedication to free expression, respectful discourse, and the unifying power of art, while firmly rejecting any form of hate or discrimination — although the hate-filled staffers who shut down the concert have not reportedly been fired or had reprimands from the art space.

Amid these tour challenges, Matisyahu also shared his recent experiences in Israel, where he found a renewed sense of hope amidst Hamas terrorists violently attacking the country in an unprovoked war. “I was feeling really hopeless about what the future is going to look like for all of us and went to Israel and renewed like my faith in humanity and renewed my faith in God,” he shared. This journey profoundly impacted him, infusing his music and performances with a sense of light and strength drawn from the resilience of the people he encountered.

Matisyahu’s experience underscores the complexities Jewish artists face in today’s toxic political climate, filled with antisemitism, yet his story is also one of perseverance, hope, and the transformative power of music.