FEATURE:
For Peace
PHOTO CREDIT: Alfo Medeiros/Pexels
The Artists Pulling Out of Music Festivals and Showing Solidarity with Palestine
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AT this moment…
IN THIS PHOTO: BIllie Elish at the Oscars on Sunday, 10th March, 2024/PHOTO CREDIT: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
it is clear that there is genocide happening against the Palestinian people. Gaza is being ravaged and destroyed! No matter how many news sources call it a ‘war’, that is not what it is . Israel are the aggressors and there is no fighting back and aggression from Palestine. Instead, there is this demolishment and destruction that is claiming so many lives. It is genocide. Something that is not being stopped by world leaders. No matter how many call for a ceasefire – and, to be fair, some are only calling for a temporary one -, it is quite ineffective and late. Nothing is really being done to ensure that the violence ends soon. It is causing a lot of anger and division. Whilst there are those who highlight how there is a rise in antisemitism and violence against Jewish people, those who are focusing on the actual problem and more important thing look at the way Gaza is being ravaged. I do not have a lot of time for those who turn the sympathy on Israel and make it about them. Anyone who has this bizarre and sick one-sided perception. A clear case of those not caring about people in Gaza and thinking like what is happening should be. There is no doubt that there is antisemitism happening, yet it is such a minor issue. Israelis not having their homes destroyed and lives taken away. The media too is covering this in a way that seldom points the finger at Israel and calls it what it is. Not that many major artists have called out Israel and stood firmly for a ceasefire. I know they have record deals and the label might not want them being political.
IMAGE CREDIT: Nadine Shah
The thing is it is not a political thing. This is a moral choice. If it were a war and both sides were aggressive and destroying one another, you could be seen as taking a side in a complex affair. When you have one side committing genocide, there is no politics. It is a humanitarian issue where you either sit with those committing murder or the people who are affected. It does seem a bit shocking that there has not been a more vocal response from the music world. Saying that, there is an evening of fundraising happening on 18th April that will support those in Gaza. Artists such as Nadine Shah are involved. Billie Eilish wore a pro-Palestine pin to the Oscars recently. In fact, they were Artists4Ceasefire pins. She was not the only one wearing one. This sense of protest and outrage has impacted festivals. U.S. festival SXSW have seen artists pulls out. Although the U.S. has pledged support and President Biden wants an end to the terror, the U.S. provides financial support to Israel. There is this real lack of strong commitment from the U.S. in terms of ensuring a ceasefire happens. The BBC reported on the artists who are boycotting SXSW:
“Belfast band Kneecap have pulled out of South by Southwest (SXSW) in Texas over the arts festival's sponsorship with the US Army.
The group is the latest to cancel their sets at the event in protest against the military's support for Israel in the war in Gaza.
Other artists who've announced they won't be performing include Lambrini Girls, Scowl and Sprints
The festival, which runs until 16 March in the city of Austin, celebrates film, comedy and music and attracts more than 300,000 people each year.
In a statement shared on social media, Kneecap said they cancelled their three sets at the festival "in solidarity with the people of Palestine".
The trio said they did it to highlight the "unacceptable" links between the military and SXSW - which lists the US Army as a "super sponsor" on its website.
They said they "cannot in good conscience" attend the event, even though pulling out would have "a significant financial impact" on the band,
But they said it wasn't comparable to the "unimaginable suffering" in Gaza.
A brick building on a long street with security personnel outside and white barriers in front with SXSW printed on them in black. A large, green vertical sign with the word "Paramount" is attached to the front of the building. In the distance we can see orange and white barriers, showing that the road has been blocked off to allow pedestrians to move around freely.
Israel launched a campaign in the Gaza Strip after Hamas - the group which runs the territory and which the UK government says is a terrorist organisation - attacked Israel on 7 October, in which about 1,200 people were killed and 253 others were taken hostage.
More than 30,000 people in Gaza have been killed since then, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
America is Israel's biggest military backer, providing billions of dollars in defence aid every year, and a number of weapons Israel is using in the conflict, including jets and bombs, are US-made.
Brighton-based duo Lambrini Girls announced on Saturday they'd also be boycotting SXSW.
They said their last-minute decision was due to them looking for a way to keep their "moral integrity intact and not have to repay thousands of pounds at the same time".
"That really just isn't possible. Money has to be repaid and we can't affiliate ourselves whatsoever with SXSW," they wrote.
Both acts say they considered other options to show their support for Gaza, including protests on stage or performing at unofficial events, but decided against it.
Other acts to pull out include Sprints, Scowl, Gel, Okay Shalom and Squirrel Flower.
In a post on Instagram, New York-based singer-songwriter Okay Shalom said the decision "cost a dream" but that it was "the right thing to do".
Indie rocker Squirrel Flower said she was withdrawing her "art and labour in protest" but would still be playing unofficial showcases.
The US military is also playing a role in humanitarian efforts in Gaza, where the United Nations has warned famine is "almost inevitable" and that children are starving to death”.
I think we are going to see more festivals impacted by artists refusing to play because of the genocide in Gaza. Whilst some huge artists have not said anything (or not much) about what is happening, there are those who are speaking up. Very much showing their sympathy with those being impacted by Israel’s invasion and genocide. NME published a feature also highlighting the way SXSW is seeing artists leave and show their disgust with the U.S.’s involvement in the genocide - and how SXSW are in sponsorship with the U.S. army:
“NewDad, Cardinals, Enola Gay and Rachel Chinouriri have become the latest artists to boycott this year’s SXSW festival.
The artists join the likes of Kneecap, Sprints, Lambrini Girls, Scowl, Gel, Okay Shalom and Squirrelflower in pulling out of performing at the festival due to the event’s association with the US army and weapons companies amid the Israel-Gaza conflict.
The annual music, culture and arts showcase takes place in Austin, Texas from March 12-14.
In a joint post on social media, Cardinals, Enola Gay, Gurriers, NewDad and Sprints wrote:
“To be clear, we, as ‘Music From Ireland’ bands will be partaking in any official SXSW shows. We stand in complete solidarity with Palestine and others who have spoke out against, and boycotted SXSW.
“Sponsorship of the festival from the US army as well as defence contractors/those sending arms to destroy innocent lives is an act we find disgusting and reprehensible. It is inherently wrong to taint the celebration of art with links to the genocide going on in Palestine.”
IN THIS PHOTO: Rachel Chinouriri/PHOTO CREDIT: Parri Thomas
They added: “We will make joint statements at the Music From Ireland showcase at the Velvet Room at 8pm on Thursday 13th and again at what would have been the Full Irish Breakfast showcase on Friday 15 at the Flamingo Catina at 1pm.
You can see the full post here:
In a separate statement on Instagram, Enola Gay said that it was “impossible to perform at a festival where the US Army are a ‘super sponsor’ meaning SX will be platforming defence contractors…” You can read their full statement here:
While Rachel Chinouriri said: “As an artist I have always shared what I have been through, however, this topic is extremely triggering for me as the daughter of two child soldiers. I have grown up seeing the permanent effects war has had on people mentally, emotionally, physically, and to the loved ones around the people who have lived through a war in any capacity.
“Because of this, war is an extremely triggering topic that I find emotionally difficult to speak about but hope to share the experiences one day when I am ready to approach the topic. I am 100 per cent anti-war and do not want any association with war in any capacity”.
It is good that artists are taking a stand and making a moral choice. Festivals and music fans are being affected when artists boycott. It makes it very evident that more needs to be done. A ceasefire does need to occur. Kudos too artists showing their support in other ways. Fundraising and wearing pins that call for a ceasefire. I don’t think we will see an end to the genocide anytime soon. In the meantime, scores of people every day are being killed in Gaza. It makes me wonder whether something big needs to happen in the industry. A worldwide fundraiser that is similar to Live Aid. A massive show of solidarity for those being affected. Of course, the people of Gaza need peace and aid rather than music. Regardless, this support from the industry goes a long way. We all hope that there is peace…
PHOTO CREDIT: Alfo Medeiros/Pexels
VERY soon.