Calvin Harris took to the stage in Qatar last night despite concerns raised by gay rights campaigners. The Scots megastar DJ had been urged to pull out of playing a lucrative set during the World Cup because of the country’s human rights record. Ahead of headlining the Fifa Fan Festival event last night, Harris, 38, came under pressure from LGBT groups not to perform in the Gulf state, where same-sex relationships are banned.
Harris entertained more than 40,000 people at Al Bidda Park in Doha. Gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, 70, accused Dumfries-born Harris, whose tracks We Found Love and Promises are gay anthems, of ditching his principles. He said: “I love Calvin Harris’s music. But like many fans I’m gutted that he performed in Qatar. He’s colluding with a tyrannical regime that abuses women, LGBTs and migrant workers. I thought Calvin had principles and supported human rights causes.
“Unlike Rod Stewart, who has refused to take Qatar’s dirty fossil fuel money, Calvin is grabbing a huge paycheck. He’s been bought by the dictatorship in Doha.” Stewart revealed he had rejected $1million (£840,000) to perform in Qatar because of its human rights record. Harris is quoted on World Cup governing body Fifa’s website as saying: “I’m so excited to be playing for football fans from all over the world at this year’s Fifa Fan Festival.”
Bev Jackson, co-founder the LGB Alliance, said artists taking Qatari cash meant alienating some of their fans. She said: “Everybody should be free to make their own moral choice [on performing in Qatar] but must know they are making a very public declaration of support for a homophobic and anti-immigrant regime.” Singers Robbie Williams, Craig David and Tinie Tempah also performed in Qatar during the World Cup.
Last Wednesday, Harris performed at the Aravia music festival in Doha, which has run alongside the tournament. Qatar has made modest labour reforms but Amnesty International said: “Human rights abuses persist on a significant scale today.” Representatives for Harris did not respond to requests for comment.
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