After a rocky week, Barclays has decided to withdraw its sponsorship from this year’s ‘Download Festival‘. Until today (June 14th), Barclays had been a major sponsor of the annual music event, but they have now suspended their sponsorship of several UK festivals backed by Live Nation, including ‘Download‘, ‘Latitude‘, and ‘Isle Of Wight‘.
This sponsorship was part of a broader five-year agreement Barclays signed with Live Nation in 2023. Barclays faced significant backlash in the UK this week after allegations surfaced that the bank provided financial services to entities involved in supplying weapons used in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
In addition to a vigorous social media campaign against Barclays and their sponsorship of live events, physical protests have occurred at several bank locations across the UK, including incidents of property damage.
Earlier this week, several artists scheduled to perform at this year’s ‘Download Festival‘ announced their withdrawal from the event, citing Barclays‘ sponsorship as their reason. Artists such as Scowl, SPEED, Pest Control, Dying Wish, Zulu, Ithaca, and others alleged that Barclays‘ financial services to parties involved in the Israel-Hamas conflict implicated them in human rights violations in Gaza.
Barclays responded to these allegations earlier this week in an interview with BBC, stating that they provide crucial financial services to US, UK, and European companies that supply defense products to NATO and its allies. They emphasized that supporting the defense sector aligns with national security interests, and decisions regarding arms embargoes are the responsibility of elected governments.
In a new statement made to BBC, Barclays offered this regarding the suspension of their current sponsorship:
“Barclays was asked and has agreed to suspend participation in the remaining Live Nation festivals in 2024. Barclays customers who hold tickets to these festivals are not affected and their tickets remain valid. The protesters’ agenda is to have Barclays debank defence companies which is a sector we remain committed to as an essential part of keeping this country and our allies safe.”
They added:
“The only thing that this small group of activists will achieve is to weaken essential support for cultural events enjoyed by millions. It is time that leaders across politics, business, academia and the arts stand united against this.”
Dying Wish, who earlier this week, threatened to drop if Barclays was involved, offered the following regarding the suspension:
“Download has informed us that they have officially removed Barclays as a sponsor from their festival – we will be playing tomorrow as scheduled. We never wanted to let anyone down and celebrate the news that the boycott was successful. Huge thank you to everyone who was involved in making this possible.
We appreciate the understanding and support as we stand by something that truly matters to us. We are so proud to be a part of a community that can come together and create change.
That being said – we cannot wait to see you tomorrow at 4:40 pm on the Dogtooth stage.
With love, solidarity and free Palestine
forever– Dying Wish“
Enter Shikari released the following statemen:
“BARCLAYS HAS PULLED OUT OF DOWNLOAD
There has been mounting pressure for bands to drop out of Download festival due to the involvement of Barclays Bank.
We have been in talks with Download themselves, expressing our serious objection at Barclays involvement. We have considered all options, and along with other artists have been working tirelessly on this.
We don’t believe in rushed reactions and always want the best outcome for all involved. Thanks to this collective pressure we now believe we have achieved that — Barclays have pulled out of Download Festival.
For those unaware, Barclays has large financial ties to Israeli weapons manufacturers, and therefore is complicit in genocide and has no place at our festivals.
Big ups Download and Bands Boycott Barclays, who both engaged with us in a calm & considered manner while this was being resolved.
This is what we can achieve when we work together instead of dividing ourselves with attempts at moral purity. There are many understandable positions on this, don’t be malicious and don’t be divided. It does not help the cause.”
Pest Control posted the following on Instagram:
Several of the bands orginally set to perform the festival have pulled out earlier this week and have opted to instead hold a benefit show of their own for Palestinian aid & chariest at the Centrala in Birmingham, UK tonight. The bands include were SPEED, Scowl, Zulu, and Pest Control.
This week’s protests were not without critics though, with Falling In Reverse‘s Ronnie Radke calling Scowl & SPEED “communist poseurs” after their announcements that they had pulled out of the festival.
Scowl:
Free Palestine ???? https://t.co/SrQ5mcGqFu
— SCOWL (@Scowl40831) June 14, 2024
Tom Morello (Rage Against The Machine) offered:
“BREAKING: Barclays ends sponsorship of @DownloadFest @IsleOfWightFest & @LatitudeFest! A bank funding war crimes has no place at music festivals. The fact that Download has listened to its musicians and cut ties with Barclays Bank is a testament to the power of artists taking collective action for human rights. I’ve been pushing hard for this behind the scenes for some time and I salute all the artists who have taken a stand to help make this historic withdrawal happen.”
