Controversial reggae star Buju Banton has had the plug pulled on his appearance in Manchester after two venues refused to allow him to perform.
By Martin DillonThe Jamaican dancehall icon was due to play at the Bierkeller in Manchester city centre but club owners cancelled the gig after equal rights campaigners threatened to protest outside the venue.
They say that one of Banton's songs called "Boom Bye Bye" speaks of shooting and setting fire to gays.
His promoter Joe Splain tried to switch tomorrow's gig to the Big Western in Moss Side but its owners had a change of heart.
Mr Splain said both venues had been subjected to pressure from council officials and were worried about losing their licences.
He added that he may try and find a third place to stage the concert but this was unlikely.
Gay rights campaigners have welcomed the decision.
Mr Splain said: "Both these venues have been pressurised by the council. No one has bothered to contact me to discuss the issue and any problems they may have. I am extremely disappointed as are Buju's fans.
Tolerant
"He has been tarred as being homophobic because of lyrics he wrote as an 18-year-old living in the ghetto.
"Some people will not accept that he has changed as a person and moved on from this. We may try and find a third venue but that is highly unlikely."
Mr Splain said that the 31-year-old artist would not have performed the controversial song.
However Ian Wilmott council spokesman on lesbian and gay policing said: "I am delighted the owners of both venues have seen sense and they are to be congratulated on that.
"Manchester is a tolerant city and if this concert had gone ahead it would have sent out the wrong message."
Peter Tatchell of gay rights group OutRage said: "The owners should never have agreed to host him in the first place.
"They would never have agreed to a performance by a singer who advocated gassing Jews or lynching black people. Mr Banton's incitements to kill gay people is no less reprehensible."
Wes Wilson manager of the Bierkeller on Piccadilly said: "After discussions we decided it was best that the concert did not go ahead."
