Irish singer-songwriter CMAT has reportedly pulled out of Latitude 2024, as she does not agree with the festival’s sponsorship from Barclays and its links to Israel. In a statement shared on Instagram, CMAT highlighted that Barclays is the festival’s main sponsor and discussed the bank’s connections to the ongoing Gaza crisis. According to the CMAT, the boycott of The Great Escape did not lead to Latitude changing their sponsor. CMAT added that she would not allow her music to be complicit with violence and refused to perform at the festival. Pillows Queens also pulled out of the festival recently for the same reason.
CMAT mentioned her love for the festival and cherished the moments from playing the sunrise arena, further saying that she did not wish to disrespect the fans who have purchased tickets to watch her perform live. She thought about donating the performance fees; however, it would not have been in alignment with the BDS movement’s initiatives. She highlighted how the movement asked her to turn up at as many demonstrations as possible and follow the BDS boycott list closely, which is the precise reason for her decision.
In response to Barclays’s sponsorship with Latitude and The Great Escape, over 100 artists participated in a boycott in solidarity with Palestine. Some artists refused to play at the SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas in March because of the event’s connection with the US Army and weapons companies. SXSW responded to cancellations and said they welcomed diverse viewpoints and respected the artists’ exercise of free speech. The defense industry has historically been a proving ground for many of the systems people rely on today. Understanding how their approaches will affect one’s life is deemed best.
In conclusion, CMAT pulls out of Latitude 2024 after the Festival’s continuous sponsorship with Barclays, which she believes links back to the ongoing Gaza crisis. She expressed her love for the festival and regrets having to pull out but cannot be associated with violence in any way. Other artists also boycotted festivals sponsored by Barclays for the same reason. SXSW responded to artists’ cancellations and mentioned welcoming diverse viewpoints while also explaining the connection with the US Army and weapons companies
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