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Barclays stops sponsoring Download, Latitude and Isle Of Wight festivals

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Image description, Musician CMAT was one of several artists who withdrew from Latitude

  • Author, Mark Savage
  • Role, Music correspondent

Barclays has suspended its sponsorship of all Live Nation music festivals in 2024, including Download, Latitude and the Isle of Wight.

The move came after several actors withdrew from the events in protest against the bank’s investment ties to defense companies that trade with Israel.

Artists such as country singer CMAT, metal band Ithaca and comedian Joanne McNally have all canceled their scheduled performances this summer.

A Live Nation spokesman said: “After discussions with artists, we have agreed with Barclays that they will withdraw from sponsorship of our festivals.”

The bank has signed a sponsorship agreement with Live Nation for five years until 2023. The suspension therefore does not apply for the entire term of the contract.

Mercury Prize-nominated band Lankum, who will perform at the Latitude Festival in Suffolk in July, were among the first to respond to the announcement.

“We welcome the news,” they said on Instagram.

“Since the campaign began, numerous bands, artists and fans have made great collective efforts to reach this point.

“Standing together is the best way forward.”

Ticket holders not affected

The development came after more than 100 artists boycotted the Great Escape Festival in Brighton in May because of the event’s links to Barclays.

Activists accused the bank of increasing its investments in arms companies that trade with Israel in light of the ongoing Gaza war.

A Barclays spokesperson told the BBC: “Barclays has been asked to suspend participation in the remaining Live Nation festivals in 2024 and has agreed.

“Barclays customers who hold tickets to these festivals will not be affected and their tickets will remain valid. The protesters want Barclays to relieve banks of their debts to arms companies. We remain committed to this sector as it is an essential part of the security of this country and our allies.”

They added that the protests had led to intimidation of staff and vandalism in their stores.

“The only thing this small group of activists will achieve is to weaken the fundamental support for cultural events that millions of people enjoy,” they added.

“It is time for leading figures from politics, business, science and the arts to come together to oppose this.”

Several bands have cancelled their participation in this weekend’s Download Festival at Donington Park in Leicestershire.

“We cannot sacrifice the principles of this band and the scene we come from and represent just for personal gain,” thrash metal band Pest Control posted on Instagram.

The bands Speed, Scowl, Zulu and Ithaca also joined the boycott.

The latter said: “When we learned of Barclays’ involvement in Download, we knew we could no longer participate. This moment of solidarity is an opportunity for festival organizers to think carefully about who they take money from and ensure that the younger generation of bands will no longer remain silent.”

Irish singer CMAT also withdrew from Latitude, saying she would “not allow my valuable work, my music, which I love so much, to be associated with violence.”

Taskmaster star Joanne McNally cancelled her headlining appearance in the festival’s comedy tent. British comedian and author Sophie Duker also confirmed that she would boycott the event. She said on social media that she was “determined to minimise my complicity in what I believe to be a pattern of abhorrent, unlawful violence”.

Fellow comedian Grace Campbell, the daughter of Sir Tony Blair’s former spokesman Alastair Campbell, also cancelled her participation in the festival, as did Alexandra Haddow, who wrote on Instagram: “I cannot in good conscience accept the fee.”

“We were heard”

Barclays had previously stated that it was aware of the “deep human suffering” caused by the “complex and protracted conflict” in the Gaza Strip.

However, the company stressed that it does not make its own investments but offers financial services to companies, “including those in the defense sector.”

This also included companies “that supply defence equipment to NATO and other allies, including Ukraine”.

It further stated that Barclays does not invest directly in these companies and that the decision on implementing arms embargoes against other countries must be made by governments.

Protest group Bands Boycott Barclays described the bank’s decision to cut ties with the festivals as a “victory”.

“As musicians, we were appalled that our music festivals were cooperating with Barclays, which is complicit in the genocide in the Gaza Strip through investments, loans and guarantees for arms companies that supply the Israeli military,” they said.

“Hundreds of artists have taken action this summer to make it clear that this is morally reprehensible, and we are glad we have been heard.”

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