The bank will not be associated with Download, Latitude and Isle of Wight festivals, following protests and boycotts from artists and fans over its alleged ties to arms manufacturers supplying Israel.
Today (14 June), Barclays and music events giant Live Nation have announced a suspension of their sponsorship partnership, according to Guardian reporting.
It will affect all remaining Live Nation festivals in 2024, including Download, Latitude and the Isle of Wight Festival, following a considerable boycott movement from artists and fans over Barclays’ alleged financial ties to defence companies that supply arms to Israel.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Live Nation said: “Following discussion with artists, we have agreed with Barclays that they will step back from sponsorship of our festivals.”
According to reports, the suspension does not apply to the full five-year contract, which was signed in 2023. It follows multiple bands, including punk bands Speed, Scowl and Zulu pulling out of Download Festival, which begins today, while around one in three artists pulled out of last month’s The Great Escape festival in Brighton.
In a statement on Instagram, Scowl wrote: “We will not be playing Download Fest this year due to Barclays sponsorship of the event and Barclays connection to Israel and the genocide Israel is committing in Palestine.”
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Speaking to the Guardian, a spokesperson for Barclays said: “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.”
The calling for a boycott of Barclays comes as a part of the wider, Palestinian-led Boycott, Divest, Sanction (BDS) movement. For more information visit its official website.
