Dublin bands SPRINTS and Soda Blonde have become the latest acts to pull out of SXSW, in protest against the American showcase festival's US Army sponsorship, and its ties to the defence contractor RTX Corporation.

Taking to social media, the SPRINTS stated that they were taking a stand in "solidarity with the Palestinian people," and that they "will no longer be performing at SXSW or taking part in any official SXSW showcases or shows."

Soda Blonde's statement noted that "the festival has formed partnerships that starkly conflict with our band's core principles and values."

"This information has prompted deep concern within our group," they continued, "particularly in light of the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine – a situation exacerbated by the U.S. government's provision of arms to Israel...

"Music is about unity, healing, and the transcendent power of shared experience – not about endorsing or normalising the machinery of war. The decision to involve entities directly linked to the global arms trade, and by extension the ongoing atrocities in Palestine, is not just tone-deaf; it's morally reprehensible."

We have officially withdrawn from @sxsw pic.twitter.com/8TxWaOMQOz

— Soda Blonde (@sodablonde) March 11, 2024

Soda Blonde also highlighted the "significant financial loss" their decision entails, particularly as an independent act.

SXSW is set to kick off in Austin, Texas today, running until March 16. Over the weekend, Belfast trio KNEECAP stated that they are pulling out of the festival, "in solidarity with the people of Palestine and to highlight the unacceptable deep links the festival has to weapons companies and the US military".

Several other acts, include Squirrel Flower and Scowl, have made the same decision.

The Palestinian death toll in Gaza has now surpassed 31,000 since October 7, the Health Ministry has stated.

 

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