Pulp to play Adelaide Festival following initial boycott

Pulp have confirmed in a statement on social media their intention to play at the Adelaide Festival on Friday 27th February 2026, following a boycott over the related Adelaide Writer’s Week’s cancellation of Palestinian Australian writer Randa Abdel-Fattah.

The band playing a set for NPR's Tiny Desk series in November. 

Abdel-Fattah was scheduled to appear at the related Adelaide Writer’s Week, which takes place from Saturday 28th February to Thursday 5th March, to discuss her new novel Discipline, which explores the experiences of Palestinian Australians during the Gaza war. Abdel-Fattah was barred from the event due to “cultural sensitivity” in the wake of the Bondi terror attack last month, prompting a wave of backlash and boycotts from writers and speakers, including Zadie Smith, Percival Everett, Helen Garner, and former New Zealand prime minister Jacinda Ardern. AWW director Lousie Adler resigned in protest of the decision, the festival board has been replaced, and the festival organisers have since apologised to Abdel-Fattah and invited her to speak at the 2027 event.

The Sheffield indie outfit issued a statement saying that they were “appalled to hear of the circumstances in which the Adelaide Festival board had cancelled the scheduled appearance of Randa Abdel-Fattah, and respect those who immediately spoke out against this decision.⁠”

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The band went on to say, “We want to make it absolutely clear that Pulp refuse to condone the silencing of voices. We celebrate difference, and oppose censorship, violence and oppression in all its forms.⁠

⁠“Our management and representatives have been in dialogue with the festival organisers since last week, when the situation was first made public. Having informed them that we had decided to withdraw from the festival in support of the boycott, we were asked to delay an announcement while they sought to resolve this crisis for all sides. ⁠

⁠“It is our understanding that the festival programmers are now acting in good faith. The festival board that made this dreadful decision have been replaced, and a full apology has been accepted by Randa Abdel-Fattah, who has been invited to appear next year.⁠

⁠“Given this new and welcome development we feel able, in good conscience, to honour our invitation to perform in Adelaide on 27 February. We hope that our free concert will be an opportunity for different communities to come together in peace and harmony.⁠”

Abdel-Fattah responded to Pulp’s post, commenting, “thank you for your solidarity.”

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