Musicians continue to drop out of SXSW 2024 in support of Palestine because of the festival’s connections to the defense industry. The U.S. Army is a super-sponsor and a regular exhibitor at the festival, and SXSW has featured multiple defense contractors. At this point, at least 60 musicians and participants have pulled out of the festival, which began March 8 and runs through March 16 in Austin. Texas governor Greg Abbott has criticized those boycotting SXSW, but the festival itself said it “fully†respects the boycotting artists in a statement — while defending its work with the military. Here’s what’s going on.
Why are artists boycotting SXSW?
SXSW has long-standing ties to the military and to defense contractors. Along with the U.S. Army, this year’s SXSW participants include Collins Aerospace, a company under defense conglomerate RTX Corporation (formerly Raytheon). One of last year’s speakers was the chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer of BAE Systems, a British defense contractor. The Austin for Palestine Coalition called on SXSW to cut ties with RTX and BAE Systems on February 21, owing to those companies’ support of Israel in the Israel-Hamas war. (BAE later told Rolling Stone it had “no plans to participate†this year.) The group also asked SXSW to “reevaluate†the Department of Defense’s participation and “advocate for peace, justice, and human rights†in Gaza. “If SXSW wishes to retain its credibility, it must change course by disavowing the normalization of militarization within the tech and entertainment industries,†the group said.
Singer-songwriter Ella Williams, who performs as Squirrel Flower, noted the festival’s connections to the U.S. Army and RTX when she became the first artist to pull out on March 4. “Genocide profiteers like Raytheon supply weapons to the IDF, paid for by our taxes,†she wrote on Instagram. “A music festival should not include war profiteers. I refuse to be complicit in this and withdraw my art and labor in protest.â€
Who is boycotting the festival?
At least 60 musicians, record labels, and panelists have pulled out of SXSW, according to the Austin for Palestine Coalition. The Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions Movement, which also supports the protest, estimates over 80 participants have dropped out. Musicians including Rachel Chinouriri, Kneecap, Eliza McLamb, and Proper have pulled out of the festival, with some crediting Squirrel Flower. “I will never put my name on or perform my labor for an event in service of the US war machine, and especially not now as they continue to fuel the ongoing violence against Palestinians,†McLamb wrote on Twitter. “Blood money has no place in music.†Many of the boycotting musicians will still play unofficial shows in Austin during SXSW. The hardcore label Flatspot Records has moved its “Flatspot World†showcase outside the festival. Get Better Records and the labor group United Musicians and Allied Workers have also supported artists canceling their festival performances. Protestors picketed the festival on its first day, March 8, as it held a panel featuring a former Raytheon employee.
How have SXSW and others responded?
Governor Greg Abbott criticized the bands pulling out of SXSW in a March 12 tweet touting his state’s military connections. “We are proud of the U.S. military in Texas,†he wrote. “If you don’t like it, don’t come here.†This finally prompted SXSW to acknowledge the artists’ protests, over a week after Squirrel Flower first dropped the festival. “We fully respect the decision these artists made to exercise their right to free speech,†the festival said on Instagram, disagreeing with Abbott. However, SXSW also reaffirmed its work with the defense industry, which it called “a proving ground†for new technology. “The Army’s sponsorship is part of our commitment to bring forward ideas that shape our world,†it added. SXSW also noted that “the situation in the Middle East is tragic†while voicing support for “human rights for all†in a statement that did not explicitly mention Palestine or Israel. SXSW had previously sent a cease-and-desist letter to the Austin for Palestine Coalition on February 23 over the group’s use of trademarked SXSW graphics, per the Austin Chronicle.
The Army is “proud to be a sponsor of SXSW,†a spokesperson told Stars and Stripes on March 8. “SXSW presents a unique opportunity for the Army to meet technology innovators and leaders, explore new ideas and insights, and create dynamic industry partnerships as we modernize for the future.â€
This post has been updated throughout.