Anti-vax Foo Fighters fans rebuke band for vaccination requirements at NYC show
“Vaccine mandatory is 2021’s ‘whites only,'” one Twitter user wrote.
Photo: Kevin Winter / Getty
Anti-vax fans of the Foo Fighters have criticised the band for the COVID-19 vaccination requirements at their forthcoming arena show at Madison Square Garden.
The Foo Fighters are set to perform at Madison Square Garden on 20 June at the iconic New York venue’s first full-capacity show. Attendees will have to show proof of vaccination in order to attend, and this has caused some fans who hold anti-vaccination beliefs to take issue.
Some went on social media to air their gripes. “Foo Fighters, a band I’ve long admired, just held a concert for the jabbed only,” one fan tweeted. “That’s every album and playlist with them on, consigned to the bin.”
Right Said Fred, the London-based band formed by brothers Fred and Richard Fairbrass, responded in support of the tweet: “Music is meant to build bridges, not destroy them.”
Music is meant to build bridges, not destroy them.
— Right Said Fred (@TheFreds) June 10, 2021
Stand-up comedian Josh Denny was highly critical, stating: “‘Vaccine mandatory’ is 2021’s ‘whites only.’”
“I’ll never buy another ticket to a Foo Fighters concert,” he continued. “Not all people that choose to NOT vaccinate are conspiracy theorists. Some people, very close to me, have autoimmune conditions that make the vaccine a high risk proposition.”
I’ll never buy another ticket to a @foofighters concert.
Not all people that choose to NOT vaccinate are conspiracy theorists. Some people, very close to me, have autoimmune conditions that make the vaccine a high risk proposition.
“Vaccine mandatory” is 2021’s “whites only.” https://t.co/LDuwzw140V
— Josh Denny (@JoshDenny) June 9, 2021
Other fans, however, have instead praised the show’s requirement to show proof of vaccination.
“Foo Fighters have said they’re going to play a gig but only for those who have been vaccinated,” one Twitter user wrote. “I genuinely don’t see a problem with this, and double bonus points for pissing off the anti-vax morons.”
Foo Fighters have said they’re going to play a gig but only for those who have been vaccinated. I genuinely don’t see a problem with this, and double bonus points for pissing off the anti-vax morons.
— Steve McHugh (@StevejMchugh) June 10, 2021
“I’m totally on board with requiring vacations,” another wrote. “A big thumbs up to my favourite band for doing this.”
@foofighters will be playing a full capacity concert at MSG on June 20th and attendees must be fully vaccinated. I'm totally on board with requiring vacations, a big thumbs up to my favorite band for doing this.
— Shawn W (@BiscuitsDad30) June 9, 2021
As vaccinations roll out in the US, its live music industry has seen a slow but steady return. On Tuesday (8 June) The Strokes announced they would be performing an in-person concert at Irving Plaza on 12 June in support of NYC democratic mayoral candidate Maya Wiley.