Support the Irish artists cancelling their SXSW shows by shopping their merch
All Irish bands scheduled to play South By Southwest (SXSW) in Texas have pulled out in protest of the US Military’s sponsorship and involvement in the Israel-Gaza conflict.
In solidarity with the people of Palestine, all artists funded by the Irish government to play SXSW in Texas have cancelled their appearances, citing the US military’s ‘super sponsor’ status of the festival, and its inextricable links to weapons companies enabling genocide.
“We cannot in good conscience attend an arts festival that has ‘The US Army’ as a ‘Super Sponsor’ and is platforming RXT (formerly Raytheon), Collins Aerospace, and BAE Systems, the very companies selling the weapons that have murdered 31,000 Palestinians, over 21,000 of them women and children,” Kneecap, the first of the Irish artists to boycott the festival, wrote in a statement on Monday. “These organisations are literally profiting from and facilitating war crimes.”
On the same day, Soda Blonde released a statement explaining their decision to withdraw from the festival, given that SXSW’s sponsorships starkly conflict with the band’s core values and principles.
“Music is about unity, healing, and the transcendent power of shared experience—not about endorsing or normalising the machinery of war,” they wrote. “The decision to involve entities directly linked to the global arms trade, and by extension the ongoing atrocities in Palestine, is not just tone deaf; it’s morally reprehensible.”
SPRINTS, Gavin James, Robert Grace, Mick Flannery, Chalk, and Conchúr White each released similar statements expressing their solidarity with the people of Palestine, and distaste that a festival thought to be celebrating diverse voices, the arts, and community spirit has any link with the brutal killings of tens of thousands of people.
On Tuesday afternoon, Gurriers, Cardinals, NewDad, and Enola Gay released a joint statement, which read: “It is inherently wrong to taint the celebration of art with links to the genocide going on in Palestine.”
The showcase of this immense Irish talent was facilitated by Music From Ireland, who have since expressed their solidarity with the artists boycotting the festival: “Music From Ireland and Culture Ireland respect their decision and are cancelling the official showcase … Minister for Arts Catherine Martin met with the bands 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 14 and again at the Flamingo Canteena on Friday 15 at 1pm.”
Texas governor Greg Abbott felt compelled to comment on the Irish withdrawal from the festival with a Tweet that read, “Bye. Don’t come back.” SXSW swiftly acknowledged this, stating that they do not agree with Governor Abbott, that they’re a festival “that welcomes diverse viewpoints”, and that they “fully respect the decision these artists made to exercise their right to free speech.”
The festival’s statement continues by attempting to use the criticisms of the defence industry’s involvement as an opportunity to discuss their innovation: “The defence 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.”
Jesus wept.
These twelve Irish artists have courageously taken a stand, are bravely shining a spotlight on injustice, and were willing to sacrifice financial earnings in order to stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine. They refused to implicitly endorse the military-industrial complex, and condemned the SXSW festival for making an affiliation between the arts and acts of violence.
They made this move knowing it would cost them thousands, but they did it anyway.
Stream their music, buy tickets to their upcoming shows, shop their merchandise and continue supporting artists that are willing to put profit aside and take a stand for what they believe in.
Here’s a selection of merch from the artists boycotting SXSW to shop now. Saoirse Don Phalaistín.
If you would like to reach out to your representatives closer to home, you can find your TD and Senators here or visit your local county council websites for a list of councillors.
If you would like to contribute to food and aid in Gaza, Save the Children, Doctors Without Borders and the UNRWA are all working on the ground in the region and are desperate for your support.
Also Read
