Conchita Wurst cancels Edinburgh Festival concert as Syrian musicians denied visas

The Austrian pop star revealed that her backing band Basalt had been denied entry to the UK but said 'we’re with you in our hearts!'

I am what I am: Conchita Wurst (Markus Morianz)

Eurovision Song Contest winner Conchita Wurst says she cancelled her headline appearance at the Edinburgh International Festival because her Syrian musicians were denied visas.

The bearded pop star had been due to perform at the New European Songbook concert, which celebrates multicultural collaborations from across the world, on Friday night.

But all three members of the Austrian drag queen’s backing band Basalt were denied entry to the UK by the Home Office, forcing her to pull out of the gig.

Conchita told her Facebook followers; “Due to the unfortunate fact that my friends Amjad, Noor and Almonther from Basalt were unsuccessful in their visa application to enter the UK, I am not performing at the Edinburgh International Festival (EIF) tonight.

“We are all very sorry as we were looking forward to being there. Alternatively, we’re recording a video message here in Austria today, and we wish everyone performing, visiting and organizing the Festival a great evening. We’re with you in our hearts!”

Amjad Khaboura, Noor Eli Khoury and Almonther Alshoufi formed acoustic rock band Basalt in Vienna last year after fleeing from Syria during the country’s ongoing civil war.

They have now joined forces with Conchita, 28, who shot to stardom after performing the operatic power ballad Rise Like a Phoenix at the Eurovision Song Contest three years ago.

The foursome, based in Vienna, Austria, had hoped to fly to the UK to perform their new song Small House at the 70th annual EIF.

Home Office officials have listed the event as a permit-free festival, meaning artists can apply for a standard visitor’s visa to enter the UK for it rather than a working visa.

Despite this, Basalt’s applications were turned down.

An Edinburgh International Festival spokesperson said: “We were hugely disappointed to hear that you can’t be with us tonight, particularly given that the point of this concert was to celebrate how different cultures working together enrich all our lives.

“We’ll keep talking with your management in the hope that the visa issue can be resolved and you can visit the International Festival at some point in the future. Lots of love from all of us here.”

The three-week festival is due to run until the 28 August.