Kneecap say boycott of SXSW Festival is a 'no brainer' decision amid Gaza war
Hip hop band Kneecap have called their decision to boycott South by Southwest (SXSW) a "no brainer".
The Belfast band including Soda Blonde and Mick Flannery have announced they have withdrawn from the US-based festival over opposition to the US Army being a sponsor. They have cited the US' support for Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip as key behind their decision.
Kneecap were due to be part of an Enterprise Ireland-led delegation that is taking part in the arts festival being held in Austin, Texas, this week. Culture Minister Catherine Martin has revealed she will still be attending despite a number of Irish artists pulling out.
READ MORE: Bianca Censori and Kim Kardashian pictured together for the first time at Kanye West show
Kneecap will no longer perform at SXSW (Rolling Stone via Getty Images)Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns called Martin's decision to still attend "deeply disturbing", while People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy claimed it is "nothing short of shameful". Ms Martin has said she respects musicians' freedom of expression and will use the visit "to make clear her revulsion at the devastation that has been unleashed on Gaza".
Taylor Swift seen looking cosy with Matty Healy's mum Denise Welch months ago
Kneecap member Mo Chara further explained the band's decision to pull out following emerging news the US Army is a "super" sponsor and talks by companies which manufacture weapons are among the events.
Speaking to RTE Radio in Ireland, he said: "I think it was a no brainer once the information started coming to light, and we just made the decision, because it's good to be on the right side of history as Irish people. I was very, very proud to see a lot of bands follow suit and that the Irish people will always be in solidarity with the Palestinian people."
He added the band will face a financial hit on missing the performance, as well as the cost of flights and accommodation in Texas. However, he called them a "minor hiccup in our careers in comparison to what's happening in Gaza".
"All we did was pull out of a gig. Yes, we lost a bit of money, but it's priceless to do the right thing," he added.
SXSW takes place in Austin, Texas (Getty Images for Universal Pictu)When he was whether it would have been more effective to go to the festival and make a statement about Gaza, he continued: "Having our name on a poster or having our name in any way associated with that festival is clearly supporting the festival. It's also gathering more crowds to come to this festival to see certain bands, and I think it does better for the festival us being there than us not being there.
"If I know my fans like I think I do, I think they'll be very much supportive of our decision."
Speaking about the minister's decision to still attend, he added: "We're not here to speak on behalf of other people or say who should and shouldn't go, we were only making the decision based on us.
"But I know the minister was saying that she was going to support Irish acts. I think she'll be standing at the Irish stage on her own seeing as there's no Irish acts playing anymore. But if she's using her platform to speak out against it, then all the power to her."
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
