SXSW 2024 HIT BY ARTIST BOYCOTT AMID DEFENSE INDUSTRY LINKS

Several artists have withdrawn from the 2024 SXSW festival in solidarity with Palestine, citing the event's links to the defense sector. The festival features exhibits by the U.S. Army and participation from Collins Aerospace, part of the defense firm RTX Corporation (previously known as Raytheon). Ella Williams, known on stage as Squirrel Flower, was the initial artist to cancel her official showcase appearances. She stated on Instagram on March 4, "Genocide profiteers like Raytheon supply weapons to the IDF, paid for by our taxes," and added, "A music festival should not include war profiteers. I refuse to be complicit in this and withdraw my art and labor in protest." Following her lead, Eliza McLamb, Shalom, and Mamalarky also withdrew, acknowledging Squirrel Flower's stance. McLamb expressed on Twitter, "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," and declared, "Blood money has no place in music." Despite these cancellations, these artists plan to perform at unofficial events in Austin during the SXSW dates, from March 8 to March 16. The Austin for Palestine Coalition has previously urged the festival to sever connections with RTX and BAE Systems, a UK defense contractor, and to reconsider the involvement of the Department of Defense, pushing SXSW to "advocate for peace, justice, and human rights" in Gaza. The coalition stated, "If SXSW wishes to retain its credibility, it must change course by disavowing the normalization of militarization within the tech and entertainment industries," and suggested, "By taking decisive action, SXSW can set an example for other industry events and join other artists, musicians, creative organizations, and the majority of Americans in the fight for a world free from violence and oppression."

Additionally, bands such as Proper, Merce Lemon, and Gel have also opted out. Flatspot Records canceled its "Flatspot World" showcase, with Scowl, the headlining act, tweeting, "We refuse to be complicit in the face of genocide in Palestine," and emphasizing, "We refuse to be complicit in the war machine." Kneecap expressed their stance, tweeting that they "cannot in good conscience attend an arts festival that has 'The U.S. Army' as a 'Super Sponsor' and is platforming RTX (formerly Raytheon)." Support for the artists' decision to cancel their performances has also come from Get Better Records and the labor organization United Musicians and Allied Workers.