Over 100 Acts Withdraw from The Great Escape 2024 in Support of Palestine, Challenging Barclays' Festival Partnership
Many artists withdrew from UK music festival in solidarity with Palestine, declaring, "We cannot let our creative outputs become smokescreens behind which money is pumped into murdering Palestinians"
Over 120 acts have withdrawn from participation in the Great Escape music festival due to its sponsorship by Barclays Bank, which activists allege invests in arms companies trading with Israel.
The decision to withdraw from the festival as part of the Bands Boycott Barclays campaign has led to the cancellation of the event's opening showcase and keynote speech, as performers have joined the movement.
This campaign asserts that Barclays Bank, a sponsor of various UK festivals including the Great Escape, Latitude and the Isle of Wight, has amplified its financial backing of arms companies involved in trade with Israel.
In a statement, the protestor group remarked, “Barclays is bankrolling the genocide against Palestinians in Gaza and then laundering its reputation by partnering with music festivals like the Great Escape. As musicians, we think that’s despicable.”
The protesting musicians have drawn inspiration from Artists Against Apartheid, whose efforts contributed to ending apartheid in South Africa. A pivotal aspect of this movement was the Barclays boycott, where thousands of individuals closed their accounts with Barclays to compel the withdrawal of investments from South Africa.
Scheduled to occur across multiple venues in the UK seaside city from May 15 to 18, the Great Escape Music Festival is witnessing more acts dropping out each day.
This annual event, a significant fixture in the UK’s music calendar since its inception in 2006, typically features over 500 artists performing in various locations around Brighton. This year, approximately 25% of the initially booked performers have withdrawn in solidarity with the campaign.
Barclays has faced protests, with the Palestinian Solidarity Campaign (PSC) urging customers to move their funds away from the bank due to its "substantial financial ties" with arms companies supplying weapons to Israel.
A recent report revealed that Barclays holds over £2 billion in shares of companies whose weapons and military technology have been deployed in violence against Palestinians by Israel.
Barclays also provides over £6.1 billion in loans and underwriting to these arms and military technology companies, including holding £2.7 million in Elbit Systems, a supplier of armaments to the Israeli military.
In response to these reports, Barclays defended its position, stating, “Barclays has been the subject of criticism in relation to Gaza based on two arguments: that Barclays is an investor in these businesses, and that we provide a range of financial services to clients which produce equipment used by the Israeli Defence Force.”
The Barclay’s spokesperson further said, “We have been asked why we invest in nine defense companies supplying Israel, but this mistakes what we do. We trade in shares of listed companies in response to client instruction or demand and that may result in us holding shares. We are not making investments for Barclays and Barclays is not a ‘shareholder’ or ‘investor’ in that sense in relation to these companies.”
Artists have threatened to withdraw from the Great Escape unless the festival cuts its ties with Barclays. In an open letter, they declared, “We refuse to let music be used to whitewash human rights violations. We cannot let our creative outputs become smokescreens behind which money is pumped into murdering Palestinians.”
“The Great Escape is a treasured fixture on the UK festival circuit, and a company bankrolling genocide has no place there,” said a spokesperson for Bands Boycott Barclays. “Our demand was simple: cut ties with Barclays.”
Daniella Landy Lubasu ( known professionally as DellaXOZ), a singer and songwriter who was slated to perform at the festival, expressed her shock at the "horrific" images of Israel’s actions in Gaza, which influenced her decision to withdraw. “I couldn't consciously contribute to that by playing three sets at a festival that is funding that very atrocity.”
DellaXOZ added, “I dislike that these festivals are hiding behind the art and labor of small struggling artists to fund these atrocities instead of outwardly owning their role as Zionists they’re evidently so proud to be.”
Alfie Templeman, a prominent act scheduled to play at the festival, announced his withdrawal, citing Barclays’ complicity in funding the Israeli military. He hopes this action will prompt other festivals to make ethical decisions in selecting their partners. Alfie wrote on X, "My morals cannot and will not align with the amalgamation of entertainment and human suffering."
Lana Lubany, another London-based singer, echoed similar sentiments, stating, "During these very difficult times I’ve made the decision to pull out from the Great Escape Festival. Their values currently aren’t aligned with what I stand for as a Palestinian."
In a powerful message, artist Hongza said, “Supporting the people of Palestine is more important than my music career. As artists our collective voices and actions are the most powerful tools we have, with our voices we have been able to spread awareness through the boycott about the genocide taking place in Palestine. We urge artists who are still playing to reconsider their position and stand in solidarity with Palestine.”
Another participant, Tiberius B said, “The Barclays sponsorship is totally unsurprising to me. A lot of the things we [interact] within our lives have involvement with nefarious businesses and practices. It’s a difficult thing to navigate – life and business are full of contradictions like that. I felt relieved when I pulled out. I want to make choices that I can look back on in the future and feel good about.”
Other artists, including Bettlebug, Bo Milli, Kerensa, Sophia Ryalls, Steven Bamidele and C Turtle, have also confirmed their withdrawal from the festival.
Criticism has been directed at the event’s lack of response to the boycott. Delilah Bon, a British songwriter, remarked, “Seeing the horrors happening currently in Gaza, Palestinian solidarity should be at the forefront. I’m shocked The Great Escape festival has not responded to calls to drop their partner Barclays, who are actively funding genocide.”
More than half of the event's lineup have signed an open statement organized by Bands Boycott Barclays, demanding the festival sever its relationship with Barclays.
Israel's genocidal warfare in Gaza has resulted in the killings of over 35,173 innocent Palestinians and wounded at least 79,000. The bombardment of Gaza has devastated entire neighborhoods and exacerbated a humanitarian crisis. Gaza's Civil Defence has reported losing at least 80% of its capability, rendering its teams unable to respond to calls for help due to attacks, lack of resources and equipment.
Earlier this year, dozens of bands withdrew from South by Southwest (SXSW) when it was revealed that the Texan showcase was sponsored by the US military. SXSW proceeded as planned, justifying their partnership by claiming it was part of their commitment to shaping the world's ideas while also asserting support for human rights.
Similarly, a recently held ‘Eurovision Song Contest’ has been marred by protests and controversy this year, primarily due to Israel's participation in the competition amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators have taken to the streets in Malmo, Sweden, where the contest is being held, to protest Israel's involvement and to call for a ceasefire in the conflict.
The protests have been peaceful but vocal, with demonstrators waving Palestinian flags and chanting slogans such as "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free!" and "Israel is a terror state.”
