NEWS

White House cancels B-52s’ performance

US First Lady tames entertainment for visiting Australian prime minister

Agence France-Presse · Oct 26, 2023, 12:20 AM

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - APRIL 17: Keith Strickland (L-R), Kate Pierson, Cindy Wilson and Fred Scheider, of the american band B 52's, pose for a photograph before their concer at Citibank Hall on April 17, 2009 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. This tour is to promote the latest album called Funplex. (Photo by Pedro Carrilho/LatinContent via Getty Images) (Photo by Pedro Carrilho/LatinContent via Getty Images)

United States First Lady Jill Biden deemed inappropriate a performance by iconic American rock band the B-52s at the state dinner for visiting Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, so she canceled it.

"While we had initially planned for the legendary B-52s to perform their iconic dance and party music, we are now in a time when so many are facing sorrow and pain, and we have decided to make adjustments to the entertainment portion of the evening," Biden told reporters.

The New Wave band, named after a US bomber aircraft but more famous for their beehive hairdos, will still attend the state dinner but as guests, she added.

Presidential military bands will provide "instrumental music" instead.

Albanese arrived at the White House on Tuesday ahead of a formal state visit on Wednesday when he is expected to discuss topics including China, Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas war.

The state dinner originally features a guest chef, dishes including sarsaparilla-braised short ribs and design featuring US and Australian elements, plus music from band best known for the 1989 hit "Love Shack."