Punk band Scowl cancel SXSW appearance in support of Palestine

American hardcore band Scowl announced that they will not be performing at any of their official South By Southwest showcases, in solidarity with the ongoing conflict in Palestine.

The Santa Cruz natives released a statement on X regarding the U.S Army’s sponsorship of SXSW and their refusal “to be complicit in the face of genocide in Palestine.”

“Scowl is no longer performing at any of our previously scheduled "official" SXSW showcases,” begins the social media post.

“We came to this decision in protest of the U.S. Army's sponsorship of SXSW. As well as the involvement of RTX (formerly Raytheon) Collins Aerospace, and BAE Systems, whom have direct ties to he manufacturing and supplying of weapons used against Palestinians.”

“We refuse to be complicit in the face of genocide in Palestine. We refuse to participate in the war machine. We will still be performing at our scheduled unofficial showcases.”

Free Palestine. pic.twitter.com/AW71rrzmtX

— SCOWL (@Scowl40831) March 8, 2024

Scowl joins a growing list of artists such as Squirrel Flower, Shalom, Eliza McLamb and Mamalarky, that have dropped their official SXSW showcases in support of Palestine and in protest to war related sponsors of the event.

Irish rap trio Kneecap, who were meant to have a special screening of their recently released eponymous film at the event, also announced they will not be attending SXSW "in solidarity with the people of Palestine and to highlight the unacceptable deep links this festival has to weapons companies and the US military."