The global concert promoter, acquired this year by a subsidiary of private equity giant KKR, quietly slapped the ban on all shows in Israel. This is a move that appears to be part of the boycott of the war in Gaza.
Founded in 2010, Boilerroom, a UK-based online broadcasting station and club promoter, has carefully wiped out traces of livestock from previous Tel Aviv events.
Dozens of Israeli DJs have said their performances were drawn out last weekend without warnings or explanations from the brand's website or popular YouTube channels.
Yarin Lidor, one of the founders of legendary Tel Aviv club Kuli Alma, tore the surprising decision that came weeks after KKR's SuperStruct Entertainment's acquisition of boilerrooms.
“It feels like it's not like a principled position, it feels like a symbolic move to show that they're “pretty” in the audience's eyes,” the 44-year-old producer told the Post. “It's not about value, it's about imagery.”
Lidor added that he only learned about the movement when he was updating his homepage.
Boiler room movements risk landing in hot water with the new Private Equity Overlord. Henry Kravis and George Roberts, two surviving co-founders of KKR, are Jewish, just like the late Jerome Kohlberg Jr., who was KKR's cousin. Kravis' foundation has donated to Israeli causes, including the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra.
The post approaches Boilerroom and its parent company, SuperStruct Entertainment, for comment. A KKR spokesperson declined to comment.
Two weeks ago, the Boiler Room boss tore KKR after fussing online about an acquisition by SuperStruct, a European-based music festival promoter.
Brass in the boilerroom argued that it would remain “Palestin, a non-adjustable expert” and that the KKR would argue that there is an investment tied to the Israeli settlement and the country's defense industry that “decisively does not align with our values.”
“Boilerroom went through various changes in management, investors, board and ownership, and through this, our editorial independence and Palestine commitment was unshakable,” the Israeli bashing brand argued in March.
“We continue to adhere to BDS guidelines on artist programming and brand partnerships,” the London-based company added. “We maintain international law and human rights for everyone, regardless of identity.”
BDS stands for boycotting, selling and sanctions as part of a larger movement to punish people who do business with Israel.
However, the set with Israeli superstar DJ Geigerber and red axes, filmed outside of Israel, is Boiler Room's YouTube channel.
But the move to scrub Tel Aviv events and ban all future performances there could raise accusations of hypocrisy, even among the platform's most leftist supporters.
“If they came to Tel Aviv, partnered with Israeli entities and received local funding, they had no fundamental opposition to working here,” Ridder said.
Awakened British brand social media channels I stayed silent for 10 days After the Nova Festival massacre on October 7th, when Hamas terrorists killed more than 380 people and took 40 innocent civilians hostage.
The company then said on October 17 that “our thoughts are struggling with pain, trauma and fear that we can't imagine.”
Meanwhile, dozens of performances held in Russia, including political parties in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Siberian, remain online. That's despite the fact that its military has been accused of committing war crimes, despite a full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago.
“I wasn't surprised to see the Russian sets still online.” Tel Aviv DJ Lidor said. “The contradiction is clear. Cultural boycotts seem to be applied selectively, and Israel is often the exception.”
“It feels like they're trying to erase Israeli artists, the fact that Israelis are part of the music community,” added Nova Survivor and Long Island resident Natalie Sanandazi. “It's insane that they're trying to do this.”
Global brands host hundreds of parties around the world, and broadcast streams have gained billions of views online.
