Nine Inch Nails duo Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross have canceled their appearance at this month's South By Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, where the pair were scheduled to give a keynote talk about their collaboration on the score of HBO’s Watchmen.
Reznor and Ross join a growing list of artists and companies that are pulling out of the music, film and media event due to concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. The pair addressed the situation on social media, writing, “We’re sorry we won’t be giving our Watchmen keynote at SXSW this year (because we had some surprises in store!) However, it was the right decision. We will see you soon – be safe and smart. – T&A.”
Warner Media, Apple and Netflix are some of the major companies that have also canceled plans for the festival, while Ozzy Osbourne also backed out on the same day as NIN. South By Southwest, however, is still happening, with featured speakers such as Kim Gordon, Roger Waters, Michael Moore, Janelle Monae, St. Vincent and Carrie Brownstein still on the schedule.
Nine Inch Nails is slated to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland on May 2nd, with new music and tour dates to follow later this year.