A Northern Ireland punk band have vowed to play a scheduled gig in Paris tonight.
Members of the Stiff Little Fingers said their experience of the Troubles, and the frustration about bands not coming to Belfast during the conflict, motivated their decision to carry on with the show despite Friday’s terror attacks.
Several bands have cancelled gigs in France in the wake of the outrage.
US rock giants the Foo Fighters were due to play in the French capital on Monday night, Lyon on Tuesday night and Barcelona on Thursday night.
In a post on Facebook, the band wrote: “It is with profound sadness and heartfelt concern for everyone in Paris that we have been forced to announce the cancellation of the rest of our tour.
“In light of this senseless violence, the closing of borders, and international mourning, we can’t continue right now.
“There is no other way to say it. This is crazy and it sucks. Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone who was hurt or who lost a loved one.”
Irish rockers U2 also cancelled their Paris shows at the weekend.
Stiff Little Fingers, who rose to prominence during the punk movement of the late 1970s, said they hoped to see as many fans as possible at the Backstage by the Mill venue next to the Moulin Rouge.
A post by a band member on the Stiff Little Fingers’ Facebook page said: “Our sincere condolences go out to everyone affected by the Parisian tragedies. The music business is often sheltered from the harsh realities of life and this weekend they have come home with a dreadful finality.”
The statement said there had been a lot of confusion as to whether tonight’s gig had been cancelled in the wake of the murders at the Eagles of Death Metal gig at Paris’s Bataclan theatre.
“When we were growing up in Belfast, I was always saddened by the fact that groups would never come and play there because of the political situation. I was deprived of another ‘normal’ part of life,” the band statement added.
“With this in mind, and with the wonderful co-operation of our Parisian promoter, the S.L.F. show at Backstage at the Mill, WILL GO AHEAD AS ADVERTISED.
“I hope to see as many of you there as possible.”
A football match between England and France is also going ahead at Wembley tonight with England captain Wayne Rooney saying he is happy to be able to show people are “standing strong” against terrorism.
Roy Hodgson has called on England fans to respect the minute’s silence that will take place before the friendly.
Extra security measures will be in place armed police will be on patrol and tributes to the victims of the attacks, which claimed 129 lives, will occur.
A minute’s silence will be observed before kick-off, black armbands will be worn by the players and officials and the Wembley arch will be lit up in the red, white and blue colours of the French tricolor.
The words of La Marseillaise will be put on the big screens inside the stadium if England fans want to sing along.
Hodgson admits it will be difficult for England fans who do not speak French to join in with La Marseillaise but says it won’t be a problem for fans to respect the minute’s silence.
“We hope the ceremonies will be respected,” the England manager said.
“If there’s one thing I truly wish for it is that we show the respect I’d expect every single Englishman to show.”
Rooney feels the fact the match is taking place will send a clear and defiant message to the terrorists.
“I’m happy the game’s on,” Rooney said. “It shows France wants to show these terrorists they’re standing strong against them, and we have to support that.”