The 2024 SXSW Festival has been marred with many controversies recently. After several bands pulled out their performances in solidarity with Palestine, a hit-and-run accident took place that left one dead and one in critical condition.
Now, the fallout from the festival has snowballed, resulting in more bands pulling the plug on the festival.
2024 SXSW Festival: Irish Bands Stands With Palestine
NME reported that Sprints, Soda Blonde, Gavin James, Kneecap, and Robert Grace have withdrawn from the 2024 SXSW Music Festival.
Mick Flannery, Chalk, Gurriers, Cardinals, and NewDad have all pulled out on the festival that is currently taking place in Austin, Texas. With Enola Gay and Conchur recently pulling out, all Irish acts have now pulled out of the 2024 SXSW festival.
The move came after it was revealed that the United States Army was a "super sponsor" of the event, including defense contractor RTX Corporation, which has since supplied weapons to Israel amid their ongoing war with the Hamas extremist group in the Gaza Strip in Palestine.
"In lieu of showcases, the artists will make a joint statement at the Velveeta Room at 8pm on Thursday 14th and again at the Flamingo Canteena on Friday 15th at 1pm," Nialler 9 said.
Likewise, the group representing all Irish acts in the festival has also made a stand.
"One of Culture Ireland's (funders of Music From Ireland) and Music from Ireland's core values is that of artistic freedom of expression and we do not mediate or advise artists in relation to choices they make on any matter whether political, artistic or otherwise," Music For Ireland said.
READ MORE: SXSW Festival 2024: Why Are Bands Pulling out on Performances?
SXSW Festival Defends Army Sponsorship
The SXSW Festival organizers have released a statement addressing the recent pullouts. They say that the defense industry has "historically been a proving ground for many of the systems we rely on today."
"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," they added. "We have and will continue to support human rights for all. The situation in the Middle East is tragic, and it illuminates the heightened importance of standing together against injustice."
Meanwhile, Texas Governor Greg Abbott was fiercer in his statement, telling bands to "don't come back." SXSW pointed out in its statement that it does not agree with Abbott's rather close-minded statement.
Check out his complete statement below.
Bands pull out of SXSW over U.S. Army sponsorship.
— Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) March 12, 2024
Bye. Don’t come back.
Austin remains the HQ for the Army Futures Command.
San Antonio is Military City USA.
We are proud of the U.S. military in Texas.
If you don’t like it, don’t come here.
https://t.co/t3RyQgLRKN
READ ALSO: SXSW 2024 'Hit-and-Run' Update: Festival Organizers' Saddened' Amid Performers Pullout
