Culture

Disturbed’s Glasgow return sparks punk-led protests over Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Friday, 16 May 2025 12:15AM UTC

As Disturbed prepares to perform at The SSE Hydro in Glasgow, local punk promoters organise a counter-gig protesting lead singer David Draiman’s controversial stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting the ongoing tension where music, activism, and politics intersect in the city’s charged cultural scene.

The return of Disturbed to Glasgow raises significant questions about the intersection of music, politics, and public protest. As the band prepares for its show at The SSE Hydro, local punk promoter Teen Warfare and the group Show Israeli Genocide the Red Card are organising a counter-event in response to lead singer David Draiman's past comments and actions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This includes a free punk gig featuring bands such as Proof of Failure, aimed at voicing dissent against Draiman's perceived stance.

Draiman, in light of heated responses following the Coachella Festival—where Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day altered song lyrics to advocate for Palestinian rights—extended an invitation for dialogue via social media. He expressed a desire to share what he terms "the Israeli/Jewish side of this horrific war," inviting Armstrong to discuss the issues without preconceived notions. However, many social media users have accused Draiman of insensitivity, particularly following his highly publicised incident of signing an artillery shell during a visit with the Israel Defence Forces. This, they argue, contradicts his claims of being "pro peace and coexistence between all people."

As Glasgow prepares for the Disturbed concert, it is noteworthy that the city has a complex history with punk music, marked by both vibrant moments and conflict. For instance, the tumultuous 1977 performance by The Stranglers led to the temporary banning of punk from Glasgow due to crowd unrest, a significant chapter in the city’s musical narrative. More recently, a chaotic 1983 concert by New Order also showcased the fierce energy of Glaswegian audiences, though it differed in intent from today’s political undertones surrounding artists and their concerts.

The forthcoming demonstration at The Hydro signals more than just a response to Draiman's statements; it reflects a broader tendency in music to engage with social issues, a practice that has its roots in punk's rebellious beginnings. The punk scene, known for its raw energy and activism, continues to be a platform for voicing dissent against perceived injustices. Following the echo of historical moments in Glasgow's musical landscape, the event is set to serve as a reminder of the power of music as a medium for protest.

In the face of these protests, Draiman's insistence that he is not "pro-genocide" remains a crucial point in this discourse. With both sides maintaining strong opinions, the convergence of music and activism in Glasgow illustrates the city’s ongoing engagement with its cultural history while wrestling with present-day political feelings and affiliations. As preparations for the concert unfold, the community is poised to witness whether this performance by Disturbed will be met with applause or a tumultuous uprising reflective of Glasgow's spirited past.

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/25165985.free-punk-gig-glasgow-protest-disturbed-hydro-show/?ref=rss - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/homenews/23833321.missiles-spit-came-crowd-new-order-glasgow-1983/ - In October 1983, New Order performed in Glasgow, recalling a tumultuous 1981 gig where the crowd threw missiles and spit at the band. The 1983 concert was a significant return for the band to Scotland, marking a four-decade gap since their previous Scottish performances. The 1981 show was notably chaotic, with the audience's aggressive behavior leading to a memorable and wild experience for the band.
https://glasgowmusiccitytours.com/blog/the-stranglers-gig-that-got-punk-banned-from-glasgow/ - In June 1977, The Stranglers performed at Glasgow City Halls, leading to a stage invasion that was perceived as a riot by local authorities. This incident resulted in punk rock being effectively banned from Glasgow for a period, with fans having to travel to nearby towns for punk events. The gig remains a significant moment in Glasgow's music history, highlighting the city's initial resistance to the punk movement.
https://www.glasgowlive.co.uk/news/history/remembering-gig-saw-glasgow-ban-16318101 - A 1977 concert at Glasgow's City Halls by The Stranglers led to a stage invasion and was perceived as a riot by local authorities. This event resulted in punk rock being effectively banned from Glasgow for a period, with fans having to travel to nearby towns for punk events. The gig remains a significant moment in Glasgow's music history, highlighting the city's initial resistance to the punk movement.
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/disturbed/2017/the-sse-hydro-glasgow-scotland-7bf8b25c.html - On January 10, 2017, Disturbed performed at The SSE Hydro in Glasgow as part of their 'Immortalized' tour. The setlist included tracks like 'The Eye of the Storm,' 'Immortalized,' 'The Game,' and 'The Sound of Silence.' The concert was part of a European tour, with the band delivering a powerful performance to a packed audience.
https://themodernrecord.co/all-live-reviews/2019/5/13/disturbed-o2-academy-glasgow - Disturbed's Evolution Tour arrived at Glasgow's O2 Academy on May 13, 2019. The concert featured support from Skindred, who energized the crowd with tracks like 'Big Tings' and 'Sound The Sirens.' Disturbed's performance was well-received, showcasing their evolution as a band and delivering a memorable night for fans.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/its-all-pretty-cool_dot_com/23944761117/ - A December 2, 2017, Christmas party gig by the punk band Fire Exit at Glasgow's Audio venue featured performances by The Zips, The Cundeez, Church of Confidence, and Monkish. The event was incident-free, with the audience enjoying great spirits and camaraderie throughout the night. The venue, located under the rail bridge on Midland Street, was buzzing with energy, highlighting Glasgow's vibrant punk scene.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The content references a recent concert preparation and current social issues, suggesting it is contemporary. However, specific dates or very recent events are not mentioned, which could affect the score.

Quotes check

Score: 6

Notes: There are no direct quotes from individuals like David Draiman that can be verified as original. The narrative mentions social media responses, but exact quotes or their origins are not provided.

Source reliability

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative originates from a reputable news outlet, The Herald Scotland, which is known for its reliability in reporting news.

Plausability check

Score: 9

Notes: The claims are plausible given the context of the music industry and political activism in Glasgow. The intersection of music and politics, especially concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, is a common theme.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH

Summary: The narrative appears to be contemporary and well-supported by the context of the music industry and political activism. The source is reputable, and the claims are plausible. However, the lack of verifiable direct quotes slightly reduces the confidence in the narrative’s originality.

Disturbed
Glasgow
Music and politics
Protests
Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Punk music