Irish SXSW showcase cancelled after all acts join boycott in support of Gaza

All ten Irish acts due to appear at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas this week have cancelled their official showcase shows.

They are among a number of international artists who announced they would not play the festival’s after its connections with the US Army and defence companies emerged.

Belfast hip-hop trio Kneecap, comprised of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí announced on Sunday, March 10, they would no longer be playing the annual Austin, Texas showcase in “solidarity with the people of Palestine”.

Sprints, Soda Blonde, Gavin James, Robert Grace, Mick Flannery, and Chalk followed suit and announced cancellation of their showcase gigs on Monday.

The final three acts, Gurriers, Cardinals and NewDad then announced their cancellation on Tuesday afternoon, March 12, meaning every Irish act who had received funding from the Irish government to play SXSW have joined the boycott.

Northern Irish-funded artists Enola Gay and Conchur White have also cancelled their appearances.

"That the organisers of SXSW have taken the decision to mix the arts with the military and weapons companies is unforgivable, that they have done so as we witness a genocide facilitated by the US military and its contractors is depraved," Kneecap said in a statement on social media.

We will not be appearing at @sxsw festival. pic.twitter.com/nt5hEMH2GM

— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) March 10, 2024

Speaking on Morning Ireland this Wednesday morning, Mo Chara of Kneecap said it was a "no brainer" to for them to withdraw as "these are obviously the same companies that are supplying weapons for a genocide in Palestine."

"It sends a very clear message that the Irish people will always be in solidarity with the Palestinian people."

Multiple artists have have cancelled their appearances in recent days in protest over SXSW's close ties to the US Army and defence companies RTX, Collins Aerospace, and BAE Systems.

It followed from local group Austin 4 Palestine calling on SXSW to “disinvite Raytheon, Collins Aerospace, and BAE Systems from the festival” and to “reevaluate the inclusion of agencies in the Department of Defense in events and discussions hosted by the festival.”

The US Army is listed as a featured partner on the SXSW website, while Collins Aerospace, which is a subsidiary of RTX, is also featured on the schedule for SXSW.

In a statement, the festival said that "the defense 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."

They also distanced themselves from a response posted by the Republican governor of Texas, Greg Abbot, who posted "We are proud of the U.S. military in Texas. If you don’t like it, don’t come here."

Minister for Tourism Catherine Martin has confirm she will still be attending a number of events at the festival, as part of the Government's St Patrick's Day programme.

In a statement, her department said she had spoken to the musicians who have withdrawn and that she "outlined that she has the utmost respect for their freedom of expression as artists and reassured them that she will use every opportunity available to her to make clear her revulsion at the devastation that has been unleashed on Gaza".