A second major headliner has announced they’ve had to drop out of playing at Rifflandia this weekend.
At around 12:30 p.m. Rifflandia announced on the day of their show that the Russian Feminist band, Pussy Riot will not be taking the stage this Friday.
Pussy Riot started as a performance art project and protest group to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s views on LGBTQ+ rights. Initially they were a punk band made up of 11 women.
The band evolved and started playing a more accessible brand of pop/rock, but stayed true to their roots in activism and protest. They have been imprisoned and arrested numerous times for their protests in Russia.
They were slated to be the secondary headliner to Bikini Kill on the main stage at The Park located at Royal Athletic Park.
The schedule has been adjusted with no replacement for Pussy Riot.
Friday Update: We regret to announce that @pussyrrriot will not be performing today. Please see the updated daily schedule for Friday in The Park and get ready to kick your weekend off with an awesome day of live music 🤘
📲 https://t.co/dWmMqp6YOg pic.twitter.com/TK3xbekzWI
— Rifflandia Festival (@Rifflandia) September 16, 2022
The reason is unclear why the Russian band had to drop out of the festival with such late notice.
The band tweeted saying, ”due to some circumstances out of our control, I won’t be able to make it to the festival this year. Stay tuned for news because I hope to see all your faces soon!!”
RIFFLANDIA. Due to some circumstances out of our control, I won’t be able to make it to the festival this year 🥺
Stay tuned for news because I hope to see all your faces soon!! 🤍
👉👈 @Rifflandia
— 𝖕𝖚𝖘𝖘𝖞 𝖗𝖎𝖔𝖙💦 (@pussyrrriot) September 16, 2022
This is the second big band to drop out of the festival without being replaced following the Black Pumas cancelling upcoming tour dates that included Rifflandia.
Despite Pussy Riot not being there, The Park’s stages will still feature the following incredible artists and bands:
- 3:15 p.m. – Choirs YYJ
- 3:45 p.m. – Art D’Ecco
- 4:20 p.m. – Gold & Youth
- 5:00 p.m. – Cat Power
- 5:50 p.m. – Rifflandia Welcome
- 6:20 p.m. – Bran Van 3000
- 7:15 p.m. – Bikini Kill
- 8:15 p.m. – Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals
