A growing number of artists are continuing to boycott this year’s Great Escape festival, with more than half the lineup calling for the event to drop its sponsorship with Barclays in solidarity with Palestine. The Brighton-based festival is sponsored by the bank, which has faced criticism over its investment in companies that supply arms to Israel, and the controversy has prompted a petition from promoter How to Catch a Pig and the band The Menstrual Cramps. A number of artists, including Kneecap, Lambrini Girls, Alfie Templeman and Mary in the Junkyard, have expressed support for the petition.
Previously, Cherym withdrew from the festival in protest at its links to Barclays, and labels Alcopop and Big Scary Monsters also joined the boycott. Dozens more have now followed suit, including the Lambrini Girls, ZHEANI, Rett Madison and other acts. The boycott has been supported by 1,000 musicians and industry professionals. A statement signed by 216 artists, around half of Great Escape’s lineup, called on organisers to end the sponsorship because of Barclays’ investments in arms companies.
An Australian musician, ZHEANI, spoke out about the boycott saying, “The banking establishment not only support and profit off the current Israeli assault on Gaza but have funded all wars for centuries. I cannot support evil. Free Palestine.” Lambrini Girls issued a similar statement, adding, “Barclays provide financial services of over £1bn to companies supplying military technology and weapons to the IDF, perpetuating the horrors unfolding in Gaza.”
Many artists have refused to play at other events with links to the Israel-Gaza conflict. Last month, a number of artists withdrew from Austin’s SXSW Festival citing the event’s connection to the US Army. Gruff Rhys, Kneecap, Sprints, Gel, Rachel Chinouriri, Cardinals and NewDad all eventually pulled out from SXSW, as did every Irish act on the bill. Each band stated that they were withdrawing in solidarity with the people of Palestine
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