More international bands headed to SXSW 2017 encounter visa problem

Since the South by Southwest Music Festival’s beginning, international music has been a huge component and this year is no exception. Last week, festival organizers told the Statesman that of the 2011 bands playing the fest this year, 572 are international acts. But that number has declined slightly since last week as a few bands have encountered problems trying to enter the country.

Two British jazz outfits, Yussef Kamaal and United Vibrations, who are part of the famed DJ, Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood record label, have axed their SXSW showcases after band members were denied entry to the U.S.

Drummer Yussef Dayes is half of Yussef Kamaal, who were scheduled to headline a “Jazz: Refreshed” showcase, highlighting British underground jazz . He also performs with his brothers Ahmed and Kareem Dayes in the band United Vibrations. According to Brownswood, the brothers were traveling on an ESTA Visa Waiver, when they were denied entry at the border. The Visa Waiver program allows artists to enter the country to perform without a visa under a narrowly defined showcase exception that, in theory, allows for industry events like South by Southwest, but not paid performances. There are no mentions of U.S. performances other than the SXSW appearances on the bands’ web sites.

In a statement released by United Vibrations, the band questioned whether their ethnicity played into their rejection,”We were looking forward to connecting with our brothers and sisters stateside to share our music,” the statement reads. “Why weren’t we let in? Our Names? The music? The colour of our skin?” The band’s name is hat tip to the famed Egyptian musician Kamal Yussef.

Read more: http://music.blog.austin360.com/2017/03/13/more-international-bands-headed-to-sxsw-2017-encounter-visa-problems/