Barclays suspends sponsorship of Download Festival 2024

Live Nation and Barclays have agreed that the bank will no longer participate in the Download and Live Nation festivals in 2024. The decision was made after protests from bands and fans because the bank provides financial services to defense companies that supply Israel.

Barclaycard is one of Download’s official sponsors, along with Liquid Death, Red Bull and others. “We cannot sacrifice the principles of this band,” wrote Pest Control, announcing its withdrawal, “and we cannot simply sacrifice the scene we come from and represent for our own personal gain.”

British metalcore band Ithaca joined the boycott on Tuesday night, while Enter Shikari was one of several bands working “tirelessly” with Download on the situation.

“After discussions with artists,” said a Live Nation spokesman, “we have agreed with Barclays that they will withdraw from sponsoring our festivals.”

“Barclays has been asked and has agreed to suspend participation in the remaining Live Nation festivals in 2024,” a Barclays spokesperson told the Guardian. “Barclays customers who hold tickets to these festivals will not be affected and their tickets will remain valid. Protesters want Barclays to de-bank arms companies, a sector we remain committed to as it is an essential part of the security of this country and our allies.”

“They have intimidated our staff, repeatedly vandalised our stores and harassed them online. The only thing this small group of activists will achieve is to weaken the basic support for cultural events enjoyed by millions of people.

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

Barclays has signed a five-year sponsorship agreement with Live Nation until 2023. The suspension does not currently apply to the entire contract.

Download Festival 2024

Coverage of MetalTalk Download 2024 can be found at MetalTalk.net/tag/download-2024.

Download Festival 2024 will be a sell-out for the second time, with weekend, day and camping tickets now completely sold out. The festival will reunite its incredible fanbase for a jam-packed five-day event (June 12-16).

This year’s MetalTalk team is:

Monty Sewell

Photography:

Ryan Hildreth

Coverage of Download 2023 can be found at MetalTalk.net/tag/download-2023.

Coverage of Download 2022 can be found at MetalTalk.net/tag/download-2022.