Theo Wargo/Getty ImagesIt’s always nice when friends have your back.
At a benefit concert Wednesday night in New York City, Lorde‘s friend and musical collaborator, Jack Antonoff, defended the singer from a heckler who took issue with her recently canceling a gig in Israel.
The acoustic concert raised money for The Ally Coalition, a not-for-profit organization founded by Jack and his sister that works to stop discrimination against LGBTQ people. As Variety reports, Jack and Lorde had just finished performing a cover of Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Run Away with Me” when Lorde said, “You’re all so nice. I wish every show was this nice.”
Someone the audience then shouted something which Lorde couldn’t hear, so she asked him to repeat it. “In Israel, it’s nice,” the guy shouted. He was referring to the fact that Lorde canceled her gig in Israel because of the country’s policy towards Palestinians. Her decision has sparked controversy in some circles; she’s even been called a “bigot” by some.
According to Variety, Lorde was shaken by the comment, but Jack quickly came to her defense.
“Woah, hold on. We’re here raising a s**t-ton of money. F**k the negativity,” he said. He then put his arm around Lorde and said, “You know who’s nice? [This person] right here.” The audience applauded.
Jack then snarked, “That motherf***er better donate $10,000!,” followed by Lorde commenting, “I’m sure the Israeli people are very nice and I can’t wait to meet them one day.”
A video of the exchange was posted on Twitter.
The evening also included performances from Jack’s fun. bandmate Andrew Dost, as well as country star Kacey Musgraves, Spoon, The National, and Jack’s band Bleachers, among others.
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