A number of artists have cancelled their scheduled appearances at SXSW events and showcases this week in protest of the Austin festival’s connections to the US Army and Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of defence contractor RTX Corporation.
The entire lineup of Irish acts who had been set to appear at this year’s festival has cancelled, including rap trio Kneecap and post-punk band Cardinals, while Chicago-based artist Squirrel Flower was among the first to pull out of the event when she issued a statement last week saying her decision was being made "in protest of SXSW’s ties to the defence industry and in support of the Palestinian people".
Enola Gay and Lambrini Girls are among the UK acts who have cancelled their appearances at SXSW, while several more, such as Yaya Bey and Scowl, have pulled out of playing at official events to instead appear at fringe Austin gigs not affiliated with the festival.
Many of those who have cancelled their appearances at the festival, such as the aforementioned Squirrel Flower, have done so specifically citing the US Army and RTX Corporation’s support for the Israeli Government amid its ongoing assault on Gaza. (RTX is known to have supplied weapons to Israel.) "We fully respect the decision these artists made to exercise their right to free speech," SXSW said in a statement.
Addressing its associations with the US Army and Collins Aerospace, SXSW added: "The Army’s sponsorship is part of our commitment to bring forward ideas that shape our world. In regard to Collins Aerospace, they participated this year as a sponsor of two SXSW Pitch categories, giving entrepreneurs visibility and funding for potentially game-changing work."
The festival’s statement concluded: "The situation in the Middle East is tragic, and it illuminates the heightened importance of standing together against injustice."
Having kicked off on March 8, SXSW concludes later this week on March 16.
