Several popular UK music festivals have lost sponsorship from Barclays following a boycott of the bank over its alleged links to arms manufacturers supplying weapons for Israel’s operations in Gaza. A number of bands and artists scheduled to perform at the Download and Latitude festivals pulled out of the events in response to the “Boycott Barclays” movement, launched by the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign. The move follows the withdrawal of over 120 artists, a quarter of the Brighton-based Great Escape festival’s line-up, in May.
Barclays has suspended its sponsorship deal with Live Nation, which covers the three festivals, Download, Latitude and Isle of Wight. However, the bank’s withdrawal from the festivals is not understood to be part of a broader cancellation of the sponsorship contract, which could affect festivals including Reading and Leeds, Camp Bestival and Wireless. Sources stated that Live Nation had agreed with Barclays to step back from the three events.
A Barclays spokesperson stated: “Barclays was asked and has agreed to suspend participation in the remaining Live Nation festivals in 2024. Barclays customers who hold tickets to these festivals are not affected, and their tickets remain valid… The protesters’ agenda is to have Barclays de-bank defence companies which is a sector we remain committed to as an essential part of keeping this country and our allies safe.” The bank’s alleged funding of arms companies was reportedly linked to protests outside its Annual General Meeting in May
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