The SXSW festival, which celebrates film, comedy and music attracts more than 300,000 people each year.
GSPhotography / Shutterstock
14 March 2024
14 March 2024
Graeme Green
Graeme Green speaks to the artists backing out of the ‘war machine’ at a major US festival.
‘This was not a difficult decision,’ says South African artist Shalom on her move to pull out of this year’s South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas. ‘This would have been my first time playing SXSW, but I will never abandon my morals for exposure.’
Shalom is among around 80 acts who have withdrawn from the festival, taking place from 8-16 March, to protest sponsorship by the US Army and defence companies supplying weapons to Israel in its war on Gaza.
Kneecap, a hip hop trio from Northern Ireland announced on Instagram that they had cancelled their shows ‘in solidarity with the people of Palestine’, adding: ‘We cannot in good conscience attend at arts festival that has “The US Army” as a “Super Sponsor” and is platforming RTX (formerly Raytheon), Collins Aerospace, and BAE Systems, the very companies selling the weapons that have murdered 31,000 Palestinians, over 21,000 of them women and children. These organisations are literally profiting from and facilitating war crimes.’
A similar statement from the US hardcore band Scowl read: ‘We refuse to participate in the war machine.’
The US is the biggest supplier of weapons and munition to Israel, its closest ally in the region, which declared war on the Gaza strip following the 7 October Hamas attacks. At least 31,000 people in Gaza have been killed, many from bombs directly supplied by the US, and a looming famine due to Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid to the strip has already claimed many more lives.
In a stunning display of irony, President Joe Biden announced earlier this week that the US Army will set up a temporary pier off Gaza to deliver humanitarian supplies to the starving population.
The SXSW festival, which celebrates film, comedy and music attracts more than 300,000 people each year. It is a major promotion and networking opportunity for artists. Cancelling shows means losing income and incurring costs for many who decided to pull out.
‘Opting out of SXSW means not only a considerable financial loss for us as an independent band but also the loss of a significant opportunity to share our music on a large and diverse platform,’ says Faye O’Rourke, lead singer of the Irish indie band Soda Blonde. ‘But we firmly believe the ethical considerations outweigh the costs to the band.
‘To stand on a stage funded by the architects of conflict, directly opposing our values of peace and unity, is something we cannot and will not do.’
‘To stand on a stage funded by the architects of conflict, directly opposing our values of peace and unity, is something we cannot and will not do.’
Questions remain as to the impact of so many artists pulling out of a festival which last year raked in more than $150 million.
‘We’re under no illusions about the scale of our influence, especially when it comes to the US military or its partnership with SXSW,’ says O’Rourke. ‘Our withdrawal is less about expecting a seismic shift in their operations or decisions, and more about staying true to our collective conscience as a group.
‘This decision is a reflection of our values and a statement that, in our own small way, we hope contributes to a larger conversation about peace and the role of art and culture in advocating for it.’
But individual decisions can make an impact, argues the South African artist, Shalom. ‘The only way we can live out our dreams for liberation is by demanding it, and providing consequences when we don’t get it. I’ve wanted to play [SXSW] for years. But boycotts work, and, by withholding our labour as artists, we can put pressure on [the festival]. We can say: “End the army and defence contractor sponsorships, or there’s no music festival.”’
SXSW is not the only arts event to come under fire amid the ongoing war on Gaza. This month artists Yto Barrada and Cian Dayrit, asked for their work to be removed from an exhibition at the Barbican in London after the venue pulled out of hosting a speech about the conflict in Gaza. In November 2023, artists Nicholas Galanin and Merritt Johnson also withdrew their work from an exhibition of contemporary Native American art at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, in protest of the US government’s military backing of Israel.
In a statement to the BBC, the US Army said it was ‘proud to be a sponsor of SXSW, and to have the opportunity to showcase America’s Army… explore new ideas and insights, and create dynamic industry partnerships.’
SXSW also issued a statement on X, formerly Twitter, saying the organization ‘welcomes diverse viewpoints’ and ‘fully respects the decision these artists made to exercise their right to free speech.’
SXSW did not respond to New Internationalist’s request for comment.
Graeme Green speaks to the artists backing out of the ‘war machine’ at a major US festival.
‘This was not a difficult decision,’ says South African artist Shalom on her move to pull out of this year’s South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas. ‘This would have been my first time playing SXSW, but I will never abandon my morals for exposure.’
Shalom is among around 80 acts who have withdrawn from the festival, taking place from 8-16 March, to protest sponsorship by the US Army and defence companies supplying weapons to Israel in its war on Gaza.
Kneecap, a hip hop trio from Northern Ireland announced on Instagram that they had cancelled their shows ‘in solidarity with the people of Palestine’, adding: ‘We cannot in good conscience attend at arts festival that has “The US Army” as a “Super Sponsor” and is platforming RTX (formerly Raytheon), Collins Aerospace, and BAE Systems, the very companies selling the weapons that have murdered 31,000 Palestinians, over 21,000 of them women and children. These organisations are literally profiting from and facilitating war crimes.’
A similar statement from the US hardcore band Scowl read: ‘We refuse to participate in the war machine.’
The US is the biggest supplier of weapons and munition to Israel, its closest ally in the region, which declared war on the Gaza strip following the 7 October Hamas attacks. At least 31,000 people in Gaza have been killed, many from bombs directly supplied by the US, and a looming famine due to Israel’s blockade of humanitarian aid to the strip has already claimed many more lives.
In a stunning display of irony, President Joe Biden announced earlier this week that the US Army will set up a temporary pier off Gaza to deliver humanitarian supplies to the starving population.
The SXSW festival, which celebrates film, comedy and music attracts more than 300,000 people each year. It is a major promotion and networking opportunity for artists. Cancelling shows means losing income and incurring costs for many who decided to pull out.
‘Opting out of SXSW means not only a considerable financial loss for us as an independent band but also the loss of a significant opportunity to share our music on a large and diverse platform,’ says Faye O’Rourke, lead singer of the Irish indie band Soda Blonde. ‘But we firmly believe the ethical considerations outweigh the costs to the band.
‘To stand on a stage funded by the architects of conflict, directly opposing our values of peace and unity, is something we cannot and will not do.’
‘To stand on a stage funded by the architects of conflict, directly opposing our values of peace and unity, is something we cannot and will not do.’
Questions remain as to the impact of so many artists pulling out of a festival which last year raked in more than $150 million.
‘We’re under no illusions about the scale of our influence, especially when it comes to the US military or its partnership with SXSW,’ says O’Rourke. ‘Our withdrawal is less about expecting a seismic shift in their operations or decisions, and more about staying true to our collective conscience as a group.
‘This decision is a reflection of our values and a statement that, in our own small way, we hope contributes to a larger conversation about peace and the role of art and culture in advocating for it.’
But individual decisions can make an impact, argues the South African artist, Shalom. ‘The only way we can live out our dreams for liberation is by demanding it, and providing consequences when we don’t get it. I’ve wanted to play [SXSW] for years. But boycotts work, and, by withholding our labour as artists, we can put pressure on [the festival]. We can say: “End the army and defence contractor sponsorships, or there’s no music festival.”’
SXSW is not the only arts event to come under fire amid the ongoing war on Gaza. This month artists Yto Barrada and Cian Dayrit, asked for their work to be removed from an exhibition at the Barbican in London after the venue pulled out of hosting a speech about the conflict in Gaza. In November 2023, artists Nicholas Galanin and Merritt Johnson also withdrew their work from an exhibition of contemporary Native American art at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, in protest of the US government’s military backing of Israel.
In a statement to the BBC, the US Army said it was ‘proud to be a sponsor of SXSW, and to have the opportunity to showcase America’s Army… explore new ideas and insights, and create dynamic industry partnerships.’
SXSW also issued a statement on X, formerly Twitter, saying the organization ‘welcomes diverse viewpoints’ and ‘fully respects the decision these artists made to exercise their right to free speech.’
SXSW did not respond to New Internationalist’s request for comment.
Artists boycott SXSW festival in solidarity with Palestine
The protest pertains to the arts festival's sponsorship by the US army, who are heavily involved in Israeli aggression in Gaza.
DAWN
14 Mar, 2024
Over 70 artists and panellists have boycotted the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in solidarity with Palestine after the festival’s ties with the United States military came to light — the US army sponsors the festival.
The festival, which is held annually in Austin, Texas, “is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of tech, film, music, education, and culture”, according to its website.
Artists highlighted the US army and government’s support of Israel despite the atrocities it has committed and continues to commit in Gaza. They also protested the platforming of defence contractors such as RTX (formerly Raytheon), Collins Aerospace and BAE Systems for their sale of weapons.
“I have decided to pull out of my official SXSW showcases in protest of the SXSW’s ties to the defence industry and in support of the Palestinian people,” Ella Williams, known by the stage name Squirrel Flower, wrote on her Instagram. The singer maintained that she was specifically pulling out of the festival because it platformed defence contractors.
In her post, Williams also highlighted that the “IDF [Israel Defence Forces] has now killed at least one in every 75 inhabitants of Gaza, including 12,300 children. The International Court of Justice has ruled that this plausibly amounts to genocide.”
Similarly, Kneecap, an Irish hip-hop group also announced that they cancelled three shows at the SXSW and do not plan to travel to Austin.
“It is done in solidarity with the people of Palestine and to highlight the unacceptable deep links the festival has to weapons companies and the US military who at this very moment are enabling a genocide and famine against a trapped population.”
Kneecap also stated that they couldn’t “in good conscience” attend a festival which hosted companies “selling the weapons that have murdered 31,000 Palestinians, over 21,000 of them women and children”.
Singer Shalom also stated that in an act of solidarity with the Palestinian people she pulled out of the festival despite her dreams of attending as an official performer.
“A dream power by the US army, defence contractors, the CIA — those dreams are powered by the blood of innocents. I will not be complicit in the ongoing, US-sponsored genocide of the Palestinian people.”
Austin For Palestine, “a coalition of various Austin-based advocacy groups and organisations… demanding Austin support a permanent ceasefire in Palestine”, have supported the artists pulling out of the SXSW.
The organisation, along with United Musicians & Allied Workers, has announced a rally on March 14, demanding “fair pay and no warmongers at SXSW”.
According to the BBC, Belfast punk band Enola Gay are among the acts boycotting the festival; instead choosing to play the ‘Anti-SXSW Fest’, organised by the Austin For Palestine Coalition.
“Our schedule for our time in Austin has changed for the better,” the band stated. “We refuse to partake in SX while they run military events and panels displaying their new technology, such as AI and drones.”
The Coalition’s festival features artists who dropped out of SXSW in solidarity with Palestine.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C4brlvwAwyI/?img_index=1
They also took to Instagram to highlight more than 70 artists and panellists who boycotted and dropped out of SXSW.
SXSW sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Austin for Palestine Coalition, threatening legal action because the activist group used trademark art without permission in a post urging the festival to disinvite defence contractors. The post, dated February 21, highlighted that the defence contractors “have direct ties to the arming of Israel, supporting their violent oppression of the Palestinian people. By supporting these companies, SXSW is complicit in human rights abuses and violations of international law.”
After news broke of bands pulling out of the SXSW, Texas Governor Greg Abbott reaffirmed his support of the US army and bid the artists a rather snarky adieu.
“Austin remains the HQ for the Army Futures Command. We are proud of the US military in Texas. If you don’t like it, don’t come here.”
In response, SXSW swiftly stated that it did not agree with Abbott and instead welcomed diverse viewpoints.
“We fully respect the decisions these artists made to exercise their right to free speech,” they wrote in an Instagram post, adding that it was crucial to “come together to solve these greater humanitarian issues”.
However, the festival did not sever ties with the defence industry, claiming that it provided grounds for “many of the systems we rely on today”.
“We believe it’s better to understand how their approach will impact our lives.”
14 Mar, 2024
Over 70 artists and panellists have boycotted the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in solidarity with Palestine after the festival’s ties with the United States military came to light — the US army sponsors the festival.
The festival, which is held annually in Austin, Texas, “is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of tech, film, music, education, and culture”, according to its website.
Artists highlighted the US army and government’s support of Israel despite the atrocities it has committed and continues to commit in Gaza. They also protested the platforming of defence contractors such as RTX (formerly Raytheon), Collins Aerospace and BAE Systems for their sale of weapons.
“I have decided to pull out of my official SXSW showcases in protest of the SXSW’s ties to the defence industry and in support of the Palestinian people,” Ella Williams, known by the stage name Squirrel Flower, wrote on her Instagram. The singer maintained that she was specifically pulling out of the festival because it platformed defence contractors.
In her post, Williams also highlighted that the “IDF [Israel Defence Forces] has now killed at least one in every 75 inhabitants of Gaza, including 12,300 children. The International Court of Justice has ruled that this plausibly amounts to genocide.”
Similarly, Kneecap, an Irish hip-hop group also announced that they cancelled three shows at the SXSW and do not plan to travel to Austin.
“It is done in solidarity with the people of Palestine and to highlight the unacceptable deep links the festival has to weapons companies and the US military who at this very moment are enabling a genocide and famine against a trapped population.”
Kneecap also stated that they couldn’t “in good conscience” attend a festival which hosted companies “selling the weapons that have murdered 31,000 Palestinians, over 21,000 of them women and children”.
Singer Shalom also stated that in an act of solidarity with the Palestinian people she pulled out of the festival despite her dreams of attending as an official performer.
“A dream power by the US army, defence contractors, the CIA — those dreams are powered by the blood of innocents. I will not be complicit in the ongoing, US-sponsored genocide of the Palestinian people.”
Austin For Palestine, “a coalition of various Austin-based advocacy groups and organisations… demanding Austin support a permanent ceasefire in Palestine”, have supported the artists pulling out of the SXSW.
The organisation, along with United Musicians & Allied Workers, has announced a rally on March 14, demanding “fair pay and no warmongers at SXSW”.
According to the BBC, Belfast punk band Enola Gay are among the acts boycotting the festival; instead choosing to play the ‘Anti-SXSW Fest’, organised by the Austin For Palestine Coalition.
“Our schedule for our time in Austin has changed for the better,” the band stated. “We refuse to partake in SX while they run military events and panels displaying their new technology, such as AI and drones.”
The Coalition’s festival features artists who dropped out of SXSW in solidarity with Palestine.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C4brlvwAwyI/?img_index=1
They also took to Instagram to highlight more than 70 artists and panellists who boycotted and dropped out of SXSW.
SXSW sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Austin for Palestine Coalition, threatening legal action because the activist group used trademark art without permission in a post urging the festival to disinvite defence contractors. The post, dated February 21, highlighted that the defence contractors “have direct ties to the arming of Israel, supporting their violent oppression of the Palestinian people. By supporting these companies, SXSW is complicit in human rights abuses and violations of international law.”
After news broke of bands pulling out of the SXSW, Texas Governor Greg Abbott reaffirmed his support of the US army and bid the artists a rather snarky adieu.
“Austin remains the HQ for the Army Futures Command. We are proud of the US military in Texas. If you don’t like it, don’t come here.”
In response, SXSW swiftly stated that it did not agree with Abbott and instead welcomed diverse viewpoints.
“We fully respect the decisions these artists made to exercise their right to free speech,” they wrote in an Instagram post, adding that it was crucial to “come together to solve these greater humanitarian issues”.
However, the festival did not sever ties with the defence industry, claiming that it provided grounds for “many of the systems we rely on today”.
“We believe it’s better to understand how their approach will impact our lives.”
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