OccupyWallSt.org, the official site of the protest now in its 14th day two blocks from Wall Street at Liberty Park Plaza, is down right now–probably due to a flood of visitors overloading the site after the announcement that Radiohead would be playing a surprise concert at 4 p.m. [UPDATE 3:48 p.m.: The site is back up.]
The protesters first blasted out a media advisory today saying the band would be playing in solidarity; it was reported that the group did not have the necessary permits for a concert and that the N.Y.P.D. was aware of the rumors. Later, Radiohead’s spokesman denied the concert was happening. As The Observer’s Foster Kamer reported on Twitter: “Radiohead’s press reps to NYO: “Just got the official word that Radiohead is not playing this.”
Occupy Wall Street public relations rep Patrick Bruner just wrote to media: “I got hoaxed. Radiohead was never confirmed. Completely our fault. Apologies. The band were victims in this hoax as well.”
Spokespeople told The New York Times that the band had nothing to do with the announcement and a show was never planned, and the band just updated its Facebook page: “We wish the best of luck to the protesters there, but contrary to earlier rumours, we will not be appearing today at Occupy Wall Street.”
The rumor persisted as people thought the band could be trying to keep a lid on excitement as a Radiohead concert in a tiny park in the middle of downtown could easily be pandemonium; at first, a Radiohead rep was so cagey that it seemed perhaps spokespeople were trying to cover something up.
Radiohead is in town; the band played a show last night and the night before at the Roseland Ballroom.
Protesters could elect to put on a spectacular drum circle performance for the Radiohead fans who show up. There was a pretty sick one Wednesday.
