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The Roots, Kimbra, and Bilal Pull Out of David Bowie Tribute Concert

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The Roots at the Bud Light Factory At SXSW In Austin, TX - SPIN Showcase And Bud Light Music Showcase
AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 19: Questlove of The Roots brought their legendary Jam Sessions to SXSW for the first time during an exclusive performance at the Bud Light Factory during the Bud Light Music Showcase on March 19, 2016 in Austin, Texas. Bud Light - Americas most popular and inclusive beer brand, and first time sponsor of South By Southwest® - transformed Austins Brazos Hall into the Bud Light Factory, bringing exclusive performances to SXSW attendees from March 16-19. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images for Bud Light)

Update: Dorf has revised his earlier statement: 

There was a production miscommunication about some shared equipment last night on the tight City Winery stage for the rehearsal show. Very unfortunate. I would hope that after a nights sleep and knowing we have a much larger stage with multiple drum kits and other equipment that The Roots will still join us this evening.  They have been a regular part of our tribute series and we deeply love and respect them. I remain hopeful they will still join the important celebration of David Bowie’s music tonight and tomorrow and the two sold out shows can experience their powerful performance as one of the 20 amazing songs planned.

Update: In an email to SPIN, event organizer and City Winery CEO Michael Dorf has issued a statement about the Roots’ sudden departure:

There was a miscommunication about the use of the Holy Holy’s drum kit last night on the tight City Winery stage for the rehearsal show. Very unfortunate. I would hope that after a nights sleep and knowing we have a much larger stage with multiple drum kits and other equipment that The Roots will still join us this evening. They have been a regular part of our tribute series and we deeply love and respect them. I remain hopeful they will still join the important celebration of David Bowie’s music tonight and tomorrow and the two sold out shows can experience their powerful performance as one of the 20 amazing songs planned. 

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Lil Wayne, André 3000 Set For 2024 Roots Picnic

Tonight and tomorrow night, the Roots were originally scheduled to play at the all-star David Bowie tribute concerts at Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall. But ?uestlove has revealed on his Instagram that the group (along with Bilal and Kimbra) will no longer be performing, alluding to some kind of disagreement regarding sharing equipment:  “We have patience. But we do NOT have patience for the #Bitchassness. Enjoy your precious equipment,” concludes the post.

?uestlove’s site Okayplayer remains the exclusive media partner for both concerts, so this comes as a sad shock; Bilal had only been made an addition to the lineup on Monday. Read the entirety of ?uestlove’s allegations in the post below.

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