Irish bands at SXSW won't play any official shows – and instead will make joint statements at showcase events

As multiple acts from Ireland and around the world boycott this year's edition of SXSW in Austin, Texas, Irish bands Cardinals, Enola Gay, Gurriers and NewDad have now revealed that they will not be playing any official SXSW shows – and instead, will be making joint statements at the showcase events they were set to perform in at the festival.

Artists – including KNEECAP, SPRINTS, Soda Blonde, Gavin James, Mick Flannery, Chalk, Enola Gay, Conchúr White and Robert Grace – have pulled out of SXSW due to the festival's US Army sponsorship, and the participation of prominent defence contractor RTX Corporation in the event. Many have stated that they are doing so in solidarity with the people of Palestine.

The Irish Music Export Office, Music From Ireland (MFI), released a statement earlier today – supporting the artists' "right to freedom of expression", and said that they would be "facilitating a meeting today (Tuesday) with artists who have travelled to Austin so they may make a decision on how they want to proceed."

Now, Cardinals, Enola Gay, Gurriers and NewDad have made it clear that they, "as 'Music From Ireland' bands, will not be partaking in any official SXSW shows."

"We stand in complete solidarity with Palestine and others who have spoke out against, and boycotted SXSW," the bands state today in their joint announcement.

"Sponsorship of the festival from the US army as well as defence contractors/those sending arms to destroy innocent lives is an act we find disgusting and reprehensible.

"It is inherently wrong to taint the celebration of art with links to the genocide going on in Palestine."

The bands go on to reveal that they will "make joint statements" at the Music From Ireland official SXSW showcase (at 8pm on Thursday, March 14) at The Velveeta Room, and again at MFI's Full Irish Breakfast showcase (at 1pm on Friday, March 15) at Flamingo Cantina.

 

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MFI is the Irish Music Export Office, run by First Music Contact and funded by Culture Ireland. This year, MFI have been funded to partner with showcase festivals Eurosonic, SXSW, c/o pop, The Great Escape, Berlin Superbooth, Primavera Pro, A2IM, Pop-Kultur, and Reeperbahn, IFF. MFI is also involved in bringing international delegates to Ireland Music Week.