On Friday, August 22, Irish folk band the Mary Wallopers had their set at Portsmouth, England’s Victorious Festival cut short after flying the Palestinian flag onstage and leading a chant of “free Palestine.” Several artists, including the Last Dinner Party , subsequently pulled out of their scheduled performances in protest, and now Vampire Weekend , who are among this year’s headliners, have called out the festival’s organizers.

As reported by Portsmouth News , Ezra Koenig addressed the crowd during Vampire Weekend’s set last night (Saturday, August 23). “If someone was punished for flying a flag, that is wrong and they deserve an apology,” Koenig said. “The terrible suffering of the Palestinian people deserves all of our sympathy.”

Writing to NME , representati

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