Music Festival Under Fire: SXSW Defends Connections to Defense Industry

In response to numerous bands withdrawing from this year's South by Southwest (SXSW) festival over its ties to the Israeli invasion of Gaza, the event organizers defended their partnerships with the U.S. Army and a weapons manufacturer on Tuesday.

The protesting bands objected to SXSW's collaborations with the U.S. Army and Collins Aerospace, a subsidiary of RTX (formerly Raytheon). Ella Williams, performing as Squirrel Flower, announced her withdrawal earlier this month, citing SXSW's connections to the defense industry and expressing support for the Palestinian cause.

Northern Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap echoed these sentiments on Instagram, declaring their refusal to participate in an event affiliated with companies responsible for Palestinian casualties.

On Tuesday, the Austin For Palestine Coalition, facing legal threats from SXSW, revealed a list of over 80 artists who canceled their appearances in solidarity with the protest.

Governor Greg Abbott of Texas dismissed the departing bands with a curt "Bye. Don’t come back."

SXSW's response affirmed respect for the artists' freedom of speech while defending its partnerships with the military and defense industry, citing their historical significance in technological advancements.

This year, the U.S. Army holds a prominent sponsorship role at SXSW, featuring its eSports team, fitness tests, bands, and military-hosted events.

SXSW emphasized that the Army's involvement aligns with its mission to showcase groundbreaking ideas. Collins Aerospace's sponsorship of SXSW Pitch categories was also highlighted for supporting innovative entrepreneurship.

The festival concluded by reiterating its commitment to human rights and acknowledging the tragedy in the Middle East, underscoring the importance of solidarity against injustice.