Paris’ Le Bataclan concert venue has announced plans to reopen this year after almost 100 people were killed by terrorists during an Eagles Of Death Metal show in the theatre in November 2015.
As Associated Press reports, Le Bataclan’s owners say they are hoping to put on concerts in the venue again later this year. In a statement, the venue’s operators say, “We’ll do our best to host events before the end of 2016.”
89 people were killed at Le Bataclan when religious extremists opened fire during the Eagles Of Death Metal concert on 13th November, a day when 130 people (including the band’s merchandise manager) were killed in terrorist attacks around Paris.
Following the attacks, Le Bataclan’s co-manager Dominique Revert told Billboard that there was “no question” the venue would reopen. “Hearts will be heavy for a few months, a few years,” he said. “But we will reopen. We will not surrender.”
Members of Eagles Of Death Metal returned to Le Bataclan in December, with frontman Jesse Hughes breaking down in tears as he stood before a sea of floral tributes outside the venue. The band also gave a lengthy and emotional interview to Vice, which you can catch in full, below.
Eagles Of Death Metal are set to perform at Bluesfest 2016 in Byron Bay later this year, and today announced a handful of festival sideshows to boot.
Le Bataclan, which first opened way back in 1865, has hosted concerts from the likes of Kylie Minogue, Foo Fighters, Jeff Buckley, My Bloody Valentine, Oasis, Sam Smith, Prince, Dream Theater, Blur, Kanye West, Paramore, Kendrick Lamar, Snoop Dogg, 30 Seconds to Mars and New Order.
In 2011, French newspaper Le Figaro reported that members of Syrian rebel group Jaish al-Islam were planning an attack on Le Bataclan because of its long-term owners’ perceived support for the state of Israel. Despite speculation that the venue was deliberately targeted by members of ISIS in November, ISIS didn’t cite Le Bataclan’s Jewish links in its statement claiming responsibility for the attack.
Watch: Eagles of Death Metal Discuss Paris Terror Attacks
