Photo: WENN
Jack White's management have issued a statement after claims of a boycott on the University of Oklahoma following a guacamole-based incident.
Earlier this week the University newspaper leaked details of White's contract and rider requests before he played a show on the campus, prompting reports that the White Stripes frontman's booking agency had subsequently blacklisted the university for the foreseeable future.
Although most of the leaked details were merely basic contract negotiations, White's supposed rider request seemed to cause controversy, in an event that many are now dubbing 'guac-gate'.
As well as a standard list food and drink items, the rider seemed to include a recipe for guacamole, which would need to be made in a certain way, or to quote the scanned contract: "We like it chunky".
Other highlights from the contract include a hatred of bananas from White's team: “This is a NO BANANA TOUR. (Seriously.) We don’t want to see bananas anywhere in the building.”
Now, after the piece went viral, White's management have issued a statement with the aim to disprove rumours that the frontman is a bit of a diva.
While explaining that White hasn't blacklisted the venue, the statement describes the whole situation as "Unfortunate, unprofessional, and very unwelcoming", whilst also joking: "Jack doesn't write the rider nor make demands about his favorite snacks that must be in his dressing room. We're not even sure he likes guacamole but we do know that the folks who work hard to put on the show do enjoy it."
Read the full statement from White's management below:
"Jack White would love to thank all the concert attendees at his performance at the University of Oklahoma. The crowd was incredible and Mr. White played an extensive two and a half hour show for them. The students who helped organize the event were wonderful. Playing in, and for, the people of Oklahoma is one of Jack White’s favorite tour stops. At no time did Jack White or White's management say that we would never play there again, that is untrue.
The incidents with the OU Daily student newspaper reporting the financial terms of the show, the private tour rider information, along with unsolicited photographers from their staff were unfortunate, unprofessional, and very unwelcoming. The show was one of many on this tour directed at playing for university students in their own environment. And the band were all completely thrilled with the performance and the crowd.
Incidentally, the most important function of a rider is that it lays out optimal technical specifications to ensure the audience has the best experience possible. For that, Jack hires a team of very qualified touring professionals who write the rider and attempt to execute a professional and pleasant experience for all involved. Part of that is making sure that the tour personnel of about 30 people plus the local venue staff are fed. Contrary to what some believe, Jack doesn't write the rider nor make demands about his favorite snacks that must be in his dressing room. We're not even sure he likes guacamole but we do know that the folks who work hard to put on the show do enjoy it.
(By the way, now that's it out there, we recommend you try Lalo's guacamole recipe. It's delicious.)
We hope those present for Mr. White's performance are able to maintain their good memories from the experience and he looks forward to seeing them again soon.
Sincerely,
Monotone Inc. (Jack White’s management)"
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