Radiohead Supports 'Occupy' Protest With Surprise Concert?
Occupy Wall Street confirms Radiohead will play at Zuccotti Square, band's website denies it
Rumors are buzzing on the Internet today concerning a supposed “surprise concert” in support of the "Occupy Wall Street" protest by indie rock band Radiohead
Rumors began to circulate early this afternoon, when the official “Occupy Wall Street” Protest website, Gawker, and Gothamist all reported the anticipated arrival of the group.
However the band's website denied the reports.
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“Radiohead is not playing Wall Street today nor were we ever confirmed to do so,” wrote the band’s website.
Spokesperson for “Occupy Wall Street” Hero Vincent disagreed and continued to insist that Radiohead would be present at 4 pm in Zuccotti Square in Manhattan's Financial District.
“They will 100 percent be here," Vincent told Gothamist website.
"[it is] not confirmed that there will be a show, only confirmed that they will make a performance," he added.
Radiohead has had a quirky past.
Lead singer Thom Yorke is known as one of the most politically active musicians of this century, with Q Magazine rating him the 6th most powerful figure in music.
He has also offered huge support to political rights groups including: Jubilee 2000, Amnesty International, and Friends of the Earth.
Yorke’s history of playing tribute concerts gives plausible hope to his presence at the protest.
In 2005 he performed at a vigil for the Trade Justice Movement. Yorke also played a Free Tibet concert in the late 90’s.
The "Occupy Wall Street" protest continued into its 14th day today, with about 200 people present – in comparison to the original 600.
The objective of the protest is to convince President Barack Obama to change the economic crisis in the United States, primarily by shrinking the gap between the rich and the poor.
Critics wonder if this is just a publicity stunt put on by "Occupy Wall Street" spokespeople to garner more attention to their cause.
The Gothamist website stated that as of 2:30 pm, roughly 1,500 people had gathered in Zuccotti Square to attend the performance.
