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.
