Austin, Texas – The annual music festival, South by Southwest, faced controversy as Texas Governor Greg Abbott engaged in a social media feud with its organizers. This clash began when the governor criticized bands for pulling out of the festival due to objections over the U.S. Army’s sponsorship. In response, the festival’s official account made it clear that they did not agree with Governor Abbott’s stance. The music segment of the festival commenced on Monday and is set to continue through Saturday.
Several artists, including Kneecap, Scowl, Squirrel Flower, Eliza McLamb, Shalom, and Mamalarky, announced their decision to withdraw from the festival in the past week. Squirrel Flower’s Ella Williams expressed her reason for pulling out, citing objections to the festival’s association with defense contractors like Raytheon subsidiaries and the US Army, a major sponsor of the event. Williams also voiced her support for the Palestinian people.
Amidst the controversy, about 60 artists in total have chosen to pull out of the festival, according to the Austin for Palestine Coalition (APC). This organization supports boycotting the festival due to its connections with defense contractors like Raytheon subsidiaries and the US Army.
Governor Abbott took to social media to defend the U.S. military’s presence in Texas and criticized the artists who severed ties with the festival. Meanwhile, South by Southwest’s organizers emphasized their respect for the artists’ right to free speech while defending the Army’s sponsorship role at the event. They highlighted the contributions of the defense industry and the technologies it develops.
Acknowledging the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, the organizers affirmed their commitment to supporting human rights for all without taking sides. The APC was formed to protest South by Southwest’s partnerships with defense contractor RTX, Collins Aerospace, and BAE Systems, alleging that these companies produce implements of war used in attacks on Palestinian territories.
While BAE Systems confirmed they had no plans to participate in the festival, spokesperson Tim Paynter expressed their respect for peaceful protests. Representatives for the APC, RTX, and Collins Aerospace did not respond to requests for comment. Last month, South by Southwest issued a cease and desist to the APC for unauthorized use of its logo, citing the protection of trademark rights and copyrighted material.
It is important to note that in 2021, Rolling Stone’s parent company, P-MRC, acquired a 50 percent stake in the SXSW festival. This article was updated at 6:45 p.m. on March 12 to include a statement from BAE Systems.