Musicians Withdraw from SXSW Festival to Protest Defense Industry Sponsorship

Several musicians have decided to no longer participate in the South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival, citing ethical concerns over the event's association with defense contractors and the US military. The festival, which is a blend of music, entertainment, and technology attractions, takes place in Austin, Texas.

Squirrel Flower Leads the Withdrawal

Ella O'Connor Williams, better known by her stage name Squirrel Flower, has been one of the first to announce her withdrawal from the festival's official showcases, scheduled for March 12 and 14. However, she plans to perform at other venues in Austin that are not officially affiliated with SXSW.

Williams voiced her stance on social media, stating her withdrawal was a form of protest against SXSW's connections with defense industry players such as RTX Corporation's subsidiary, Collins Aerospace, and Raytheon, as well as the festival's main sponsor, the US Army. According to her, endorsing war profiteers is not in line with what a music festival should be about.

Other Artists Joining the Protest

Artists Eliza McLamb and Okay Shalom have also pulled out from their official SXSW performances. Both have echoed similar sentiments on their social media, with McLamb expressing vehement opposition to participating in an event sponsored by the US Army and condemning the ongoing violence against Palestinians. Okay Shalom elaborated on the impact of colonialism and apartheid and the importance of standing with oppressed people everywhere.

The decision by these artists to withdraw is a statement against the intersection of the arts with military sponsorship. They share a common belief that music and its festivals should not be a platform for entities involved in warfare and conflict.

Past Participation at SXSW

SXSW has historically featured a wide array of artists, and last year's lineup included notable acts such as Anderson .Paak, Bartees Strange, and 070 Shake. This year, however, the festival sees a portion of its lineup retracting their involvement due to ethical concerns.

protest, withdrawal, ethics