What began with an initial boycott and cancellation of SXSW Festival shows this past weekend by Kneecap in the wake of their US TV debut has now resulted in every Irish band who had received funding from the Irish government to play SXSW, cancel in protest.
In an unprecedented move, all 10 bands were listed as official Ireland showcase artists at this year’s SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas have cancelled their official showcase shows after the festival’s links with the US Army and defence companies emerged.
Kneecap were the first act to cancel their official showcases, followed by Sprints, Soda Blonde, Gavin James, Robert Grace, Mick Flannery, and Chalk yesterday.
Gurriers, Cardinals and NewDad announced their cancellation this afternoon.
Some of the artists were in transit when the news broke, some were already in Austin and some had yet to travel when they learned of the sponsorship.
Northern Irish-funded artists Enola Gay and Conchúr White then followed suit in publicly sharing they wouldn’t be playing the festival.
The Northern Irish artists at SXSW were booked through the UK funding channels (PRS funded) and were due to play different UK-lead events separate to the Music From Ireland showcases mentioned.
No bands will now play the official Music From Ireland showcases.
“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.”
At time of writing, two acts on the UK/NI PRS strand of funding – Ash and Reevah are playing the festival.
Update: Reevah also cancelled their official showcase.
Therapy? are also playing the festival but got in touch the day after this article was published to say they are are not funded by NI Arts Strand or the PRS.
“We are playing SXSW at the invitation of our record label Marshall Records and that is the only reason we are there. We were not an SXSW invitee.”
With respect, the band are listed on the SXSW website as a showcasing artist, so whether their label invited them or not, they are listed as an official SXSW artist, playing an official showcase.
— Gurriers (@gurriersband) March 12, 2024
As reported yesterday, the artists responded to the news that the US Army was listed as a festival “Featured Partner”, along with and defence companies RTX (formally Raytheon), Collins Aerospace, and BAE Systems.
The wave of cancellations from the showcase comes after local group Austin 4 Palestine called on SXSW to “disinvite Raytheon, Collins Aerospace, and BAE Systems from the festival” and to “reevaluate the inclusion of agencies in the Department of Defense in events and discussions hosted by the festival.”
According to the group, RTX manufactures missiles and bombs for the Israeli military, Collins Aerospace provides components for IDF aircraft, while BAE Systems has supplied weapons used in the occupation of Palestinian territories.
Many of the statements from the Irish bands who cancelled, made clear their solidarity for the Palestinian people, who are being subjected to an ongoing genocide, aided by the weapons created by these companies, creating a friction and gaping moral hole between the art/artists and the festival they were set to play.
Music From Ireland response
Music From Ireland, the facilitating showcase organisers run by First Music Contact, said earlier today that they would be meeting on the ground in Austin with the remaining artists and would support whatever decision they make on how to proceed.
“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.”
If an artist chooses not to participate in SXSW this will not have a bearing on future showcasing opportunities for those artists. Music from Ireland and Culture Ireland actively supports artists’ right to freedom of expression, which is fundamental to their role as agents of change in society.
“We are facilitating a meeting today (Tuesday) with artists who have travelled to Austin so they may make a decision on how they want to proceed.
We will support whatever decision they make and update our plans accordingly.”
Music From Ireland updated their statement today, March 12th at 5:41pm, saying:
The Irish artists who met this morning have released a joint statement and have indicated that they will not be participating in any official SXSW shows and that they will be making a joint statement together.
Music From Ireland and Culture Ireland respect their decision and are cancelling the Music From Ireland Ireland official showcase, as well as the Full Irish Breakfast official daytime showcase. Minister for Arts Catherine Martin met with the bands this morning and expressed her respect for their artistic freedom of expression.
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.
SXSW have now responded to the cancellations and military sponsorship.
The festival’s statement tries to use the criticism of the defence industry’s involvement as an opportunity to discuss their innovation, and how it brings “forward ideas that shape our world.”.
The defense industry has historically been a proving ground for many of the systems we rely on today. These institutions are often leaders in emerging technologies, and we believe it’s better to understand how their approach will impact our lives.
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 defense industry has historically been a proving ground for many of the systems we rely on today. These institutions are often leaders in emerging technologies, and we believe it’s better to understand how their approach will impact our lives.
— SXSW (@sxsw) March 12, 2024
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.
— SXSW (@sxsw) March 12, 2024
Minister Catherine Martin responded
Minster Catherine Martin (Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media) is also in Austin and responded to the drop-outs with a statement.
“The Minister spoke this morning to many of the musicians who have withdrawn from the SXSW Festival. She outlined that she has the utmost respect for their freedom of expression as artists and reassured them that she will use every opportunity available to her to make clear her revulsion at the devastation that has been unleashed on Gaza.
This includes the St Patrick’s Day consular reception in Austin tonight where she will outline to attendees the Irish Government’s calls for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages and a massive and sustained increase in humanitarian aid, food and medicine to the people of Gaza.”
The list of Irish acts to cancel are:
The Northern Irish funded acts below also cancelled:
