UK grime band Pest Control has pulled out of Download Festival 2024 due to the event’s sponsorship by Barclays, a bank with alleged ties to Israel. The band released an Instagram statement announcing that they could not participate in an event sponsored by a bank that “oversees billions of dollars in investments and loans to companies whose weapons and technology are used in Israel’s onslaught against the Palestinian people.” BanksBoycottBarclays, an Instagram campaign, has encouraged musicians and fans to boycott all of the music festivals sponsored by Barclays, which include the Isle of Wight Festival, Latitude, and Camp Bestival.
Pest Control expressed regret to fans who had hoped to see them play at the festival and recognised that it was a milestone performance for the band. However, they could not “sacrifice the principles held by this band and by the scene we come from and represent.” Other bands, including Pillow Queens, Georgia Ruth, Cmat, and Mui Zyu, have also boycotted this year’s Latitude due to Barclays’ sponsorship. Barclays has defended its involvement in the defence sector and its support of NATO and allies.
Other festivals have faced similar boycotts this year, including Brighton’s Great Escape, where over 100 acts dropped out of the festival in solidarity with Palestine. This year’s SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, was also hit by cancellations from bands that objected to the event’s connection to the US Army and weapons companies. Bands that boycotted the festival included Gruff Rhys, Lambrini Girls, Kneecap, Sprints, Cardinals, Rachel Chinouriri, and NewDad. In response to the cancellations, SXSW issued a statement saying that it respected artists’ right to free speech and welcomed diverse viewpoints
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