JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP) — Aerosmith canceled a show in Indonesia after
authorities there said they had foiled a bomb plot targeting the Myanmar
Embassy.
Concert promoter Ismaya Live cited safety concerns as the reason for the cancellation, but it wasn't clear if there was a direct connection to the alleged embassy plot.
The American rockers were scheduled
to perform this coming Saturday for a nearly sold-out crowd of 15,000 in the
capital, Jakarta, said Helmi Sugara, event organizer spokesman.
The statement about the cancellation
carried an apology from Aerosmith also saying they hoped to make it up to the
fans one day. There was no immediate indication they would reschedule.
Indonesian police said Friday they
had arrested two suspected militants and seized bombs the suspects were
plotting to use against the Myanmar Embassy in Jakarta to protest Myanmar's
treatment of Muslims.
Aerosmith started an Asia-Pacific
tour in April with their first-ever concert in New Zealand and several shows in
Australia. They're scheduled to play Wednesday in the Philippines.
Western music acts are popular in
Indonesia, but Islamic hard-liners have forced changes or cancellations in the
past.
Lady Gaga canceled what was to be the
biggest performance on her "Born This Way Ball" tour in Asia last
year. Hard-liners had threatened violence if the concert was held because they
saw the pop diva as a corrupting influence.
Jennifer Lopez, who judged
"American Idol" alongside Aerosmith's Steven Tyler for two
seasons, toned down her costumes and dance moves during an Indonesian concert
in late November.
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