Alcopop! and Big Scary Monsters record labels have confirmed they will no longer be associated with The Great Escape festival due to its ties with Barclays bank. The Brighton-based festival is sponsored by the bank, which has come under scrutiny recently due to its financial links to companies supplying arms to Israel during the current conflict in Gaza. The move follows a petition started by promoter How to Catch a Pig and feminist punk band The Menstrual Cramps, which has been signed by more than 900 people, including 208 of the original 440 booked bands. The festival has not commented on the boycott.
In a statement, Alcopop! said the label “refuse to let music be used to whitewash human rights violations,” and said they would “help raise awareness” around “corporate greed at the heart of this horrendous genocide in Gaza.” Big Scary Monsters shared the link to the petition and called on The Great Escape to sever its links with Barclays. Bands signed to Big Scary Monsters who were scheduled to play The Great Escape showcase have also pulled out. Other bands protesting against the festival’s sponsorship include The Menstrual Cramps, Ortchards, and Rett Madison.
Last week, fellow Brighton band Cherym also pulled out of the festival due to the sponsorship connection with Barclays, claiming that “Barclays/Barclaycard are responsible for investing over £1bn+ into companies that are arming the IDF and providing weaponry that enables the ongoing atrocities against Palestinians to continue.” Numerous artists have refused to play South by Southwest festival due to its connections to weapons companies amid the ongoing conflict in Israel and Gaza.
This follows a growing trend of businesses and musicians severing ties with institutions that have financial links to controversial industries. It remains to be seen whether festivals and other events will limit their association with companies facing mounting backlash from consumers who are increasingly aware of their role in wider societal issues
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