Nick Cave responds to “double standard” criticism over Palestine views after cancelling Ukraine gigs

Russia’s Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu has called for the country to ban all the work of Ukraine-born super-producer Alexander Rodnyansky as well as any film and TV work of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky, according to Russian news site The Insider.

Elon Musk is looking to throw down with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Tesla co-founder, 50, challenged Putin, 69, to a one-on-one fight amidst Russia’s tragic invasion of Ukraine. “I hereby challenge Vladimir Putin to single combat,” Elon wrote on Twitter March 14. “Stakes are Ukraine,” he added. Elon wrote Putin’s name in Russian and Ukraine in Ukrainian.

Maksim Chmerkovskiy, 42, recently seemed to try and relax while getting some fresh air on the balcony of his apartment in Malibu, CA, just days after he admitted that his Dancing With the Stars fame helped him to flee Ukraine after Russia’s invasion. The ballroom dance champion was photographed looking at his phone while wearing a white T-shirt and black shorts as he looked up at cameras for a moment during the outing. He also wore white wireless ear buds and appeared to be either listening to something on his phone or chatting with someone.

Russia would face a “dramatic increased response” from the West if Vladimir Putin uses chemical weapons in Ukraine, a Tory minister warned.

Pussy Riot’s Nadya Tolokonnikova has spoken out in a new interview against Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, calling the Russian leader “insane”.Tolokonnikova and her Pussy Riot bandmates have been longtime critics of Putin’s regime, with Tolokonnikova herself spending two years in a Siberian prison for dissenting. Earlier this year, she and bandmate Nika Nikulshina were labelled “foreign agents” by the Russian government.In a new interview with The Guardian, Tolokonnikova discussed her fears for the people of Ukraine and the jeopardy facing Russians who speak out against Putin.“Putin just signed a law that said you’re going to get 15 years in jail for even discussing the war in Ukraine,” she said.

Independent Spirit Awards co-hosts Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally joined the numerous Hollywood celebrities showing their support for Ukraine amid Russia's invasion of the country.  During the award show on Sunday, Mullally stated: "I think we speak for everyone here when we say that we are hoping for a quick, peaceful resolution. Specifically, f--k off and go home Putin!" "We hope Putin f---s off and goes home, and to that end let’s all join together with a Spirit Awards salute to Putin," Offerman added, according to Variety.  Per the outlet, the married co-hosts then flipped the bird to the camera.

Zack Sharf Independent Spirit Awards hosts Megan Megan and Nick Offerman took a brief moment during the awards ceremony to show support to Ukraine and tell Russian president Vladimir Putin to “fuck off.” The 2022 Spirit Awards took place in Santa Monica, California as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continued overseas. Mullally and Offerman wished those in Ukraine “best wishes.”“I think we speak for everyone here when we say that we are hoping for a quick, peaceful resolution,” Mullally said.

Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab has said he believes the conflict in Ukraine could last several months or years.

Iron Maiden have announced that their upcoming summer shows in Ukraine and Russia have been cancelled due to the ongoing conflict between the neighbouring countries.The band were set to perform at VDNG in Kyiv, Ukraine on May 29 before visiting VTB Arena in Moscow Russia on June 1 as part of their 2022 ‘Legacy Of The Beast’ world tour.Sharing a statement on social media, Iron Maiden said “the promoters have cancelled the two Iron Maiden shows” due to the “ongoing situation in Ukraine”.“We are very sorry to announce that due to the ongoing situation in Ukraine, the promoters have cancelled the two Iron Maiden shows scheduled for May 29th in Kyiv and June 1st in Moscow on the 2022 Legacy Of The Beast World Tour,” the band tweeted.The band added that ticket-holders would we informed by the respective promoters on refunds, and concluded by stating: “Our priority is, and will always be, the safety of our fans.”Ticket-holders for both shows will be informed by the respective promoters on refunds at the appropriate time. Our priority is, and will always be, the safety of our fans.— Iron Maiden (@IronMaiden) March 3, 2022Since the conflict started, the likes of Iggy Pop, Yungblud, Green Day, Franz Ferdinand and Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds are among the acts who have scrapped dates due to the ongoing crisis.It comes after Ukraine severed diplomatic ties with Russia and declared martial law after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered an attack on the neighbouring nation last Thursday (February 24).Ukraine, which has a population of 44million people, borders both Russia and the European Union.

Dancing With The Stars professional dancer Maksim Chemerkovskiy has been reunited with his wife Peta Murgatroyd after a horrendous ordeal in his native Ukraine. Maksim, 42, was seen embracing his wife after making it through passport control at Los Angeles Airport. Before he made it through the airport, Peta, 35, was seen nervously awaiting her husband’s return.

Nick Cave and Warren Ellis teamed up for a performance of ‘Ghosteen Speaks’ on The Late Late Show last night (March 2) – check it out below.The track was originally released as part of Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds’ 2019 album ‘Ghosteen’ and last night, Cave teamed up with Ellis for a soaring, slow-burning rendition of the track.The performance comes ahead of the release of the Andrew Dominik-directed documentary This Much I Know To Be True which will explore Cave and Ellis’ creative relationship and feature songs from their last two studio albums, ‘Ghosteen’ and last year’s ‘Carnage’.The film will be released in cinemas globally on May 11, with tickets going on sale on March 23 from here.Check out Nick Cave and Warren Ellis’ performance of ‘Ghosteen Speaks’ here.Last year, Cave shared the secrets of his friendship with long-time collaborator Warren Ellis in his latest entry for The Red Hand Files.After being asked by multiple fans about their friendship and songwriting, Cave shared his theory that there are three levels of friendship: essentially those defined by “a shared experience,” “someone who has your back,” and ones who can “bring the best out in you”.“None of these levels are mutually exclusive and sometimes you find someone who fulfils all of these categories. If you find a friend like that, hang on to him or her.

Prince Charles and his wife and future queen consort, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall showed their support for the Ukrainian community during a visit to the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in London on Wednesday. A day after the first in line to the throne spoke out against Russia and President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, he and his wife were greeted by Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, the Ukrainian Ambassador, Vadym Prystaiko, and his wife, Inna Prystaiko.

Nick Cave and Warren Ellis have announced a full global cinema release for their forthcoming film This Much I Know To Be True.The film will be released in cinemas globally on May 11, with tickets going on sale on March 23. They will be available here.The Andrew Dominik-directed feature is a companion piece to the 2016 music documentary One More Time With Feeling, and premiered at the Berlin Film Festival this month.This Much I Know To Be True will explore Cave and Ellis’ creative relationship and feature songs from their last two studio albums, 2019’s ‘Ghosteen’ (by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds) and last year’s ‘Carnage’ (by Cave and Ellis).It will feature the first ever performances of the albums, filmed in Spring 2021 ahead of their UK tour.

Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds have cancelled their scheduled concerts in Russia and Ukraine “in light of current events”.The group were due to perform at Bol Festival in Moscow, Russia on June 18 before visiting the Palace Of Sports complex in Kyiv, Ukraine on August 19 as part of a wider run of dates for 2022.Sharing a statement on social media, Cave and co. said they had “no choice but to cancel” the shows following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last week.