Rock band Primal Scream has responded after they were accused of displaying ‘grossly antisemitic’ concert imagery.
The Scottish band – who were first formed in the 80s – allegedly displayed the Star of David entwined with the Nazi symbol, the Swastika, on a video screen while performing their 2000 song Swastika Eyes, as seen in clips shared to social media, immediately sparking backlash.
The Community Security Trust (CST), a registered charity providing safety for the Jewish community in the UK, then shared that they reported the music group to the police after their event at the Roundhouse in Camden on Monday.
In response to the backlash, the band posted on Instagram: ‘The film is a piece of art. It clearly draws from history to question where the actions of current world governments sit in that context.
‘It is meant to provoke debate, not hate. In a free, pluralistic and liberal society freedom of expression is a right which we choose to exercise.’
Images of political figures such as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and world leaders like Javier Milei, Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump also reportedly appeared on the screen during the song.
The incident occurred during their 25-year anniversary show for their album XTRMNTR.
A representative for Antisemitism Policy Trust told Metro: ‘Combining the swastika and the Star of David will be seen by many as comparing Jews to Nazis, and as an offensive act as it is sinister.
‘The band should apologise to their fans and the wider Jewish community whom they have let down. The Roundhouse and promoter of the concert need to investigate and ensure things like this never happen again.’
The CST told Metro about its decision to report the event to the police: ‘CST is appalled by the grossly antisemitic image displayed at Primal Scream. Entwining a Star of David with a swastika implies that Jews are Nazis and risks encouraging hatred of Jews.
‘There needs to be an urgent investigation by the venue and the promoter about how this happened and we will be reporting to the police.’
Meanwhile, a Roundhouse spokesperson has also responded to the reports of the alleged display, saying they were ‘appalled that antisemitic imagery was displayed’ during the one-off gig.
The statement continued: ‘We deeply regret that these highly offensive images were presented on our stage and unequivocally apologise to anyone who attended the gig, and to the wider Jewish community.
‘The content, which was used entirely without our knowledge, stands against all of our values. Our organisation absolutely condemns antisemitism in every form.
‘Acts of hatred, discrimination or prejudice of any kind are entirely unacceptable and have no place in our community or spaces. The safety of our staff and gig-going audiences remains of paramount importance to us.
‘We stand in solidarity with the Jewish community and remain committed to ensuring that our spaces are places where everyone feels secure, respected and valued.’
The band,best known for songs Movin’ On Up and Loaded, is currently made up of the following members: founder Bobby Gillespie, guitarist Andrew Innes, bassist Simone Butler and drummer Darrin Mooney.
Campaign Against Antisemitism called the alleged imagery ‘absolutely sickening and totally inexcusable’ in a statement to The Telegraph, adding that ‘it isn’t art and it isn’t edgy’.
They added they would be writing to Camden Roundhouse and their legal team would be investigating footage ‘to consider further steps’.
The statement concluded: ‘Racism should have no place in the arts, but depressingly, it is finding a very welcoming home there.’
Metro has reached out to the Metropolitan Police and Primal Scream’s representatives for comment.
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