Portugal.The Man, an American rock band from Alaska currently touring Australia, pulled out of their appearance on Channel 7's breakfast show a little over 12 hours before their scheduled live performance.
On an Instagram post, the band, which won this year’s Grammy Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance for their hit, , claimed recent comments by Channel Seven’s breakfast show was the reason for their sudden cancellation.
“We come from rural Alaska and hold very close to our hearts the Indigenous people of our home,” the post said.
“While we are by no means experts in your countries history we know there are problems that, like ours, are yet to be resolved and only being amplified by recent statements on Sunrise.”
The band, who are also playing the Groove in the Moo festival, played in Sydney last night and had Uncle Allen Madden perform a Welcome to Country before their set.
Indigenous artists, actors and singers have applauded the band’s stance.
Dan Sultan didn’t make a comment, but reposted the band’s statement on his Instagram.
A Channel 7’s spokesperson said the band informed Sunrise on Tuesday evening and they respect the band’s decision.
“We respect the band’s decision and wish them well on the remainder of their Australian tour,” the spokesperson said.
Sunrise came under fire last month after an aired segment on Stolen Generation was criticised by the Indigenous community for a number of reasons, mainly having a panel of non- Indigenous people support the removal of children from family and commending the taking of Aboriginal children.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is currently investigating the breakfast show over the segment to determine whether or not they breached the Commercial Television Industry Code of Practice 2015.
