Dozens more artists join Great Escape 2024 boycott, as half the line-up demands festival drop Barclays sponsor in solidarity with Palestine
Great Escape festival, with over half the line-up demanding the festival drop their sponsorship with Barclays in solidarity with Palestine.The Brighton-based festival is sponsored by the bank, which has been a source of controversy amid the current events in Gaza because of the bank’s financial investment in companies that supply arms to Israel.The issue was first highlighted by a petition started by the promoter How to Catch a Pig and the band The Menstrual Cramps, and has since been signed by artists including Kneecap, Lambrini Girls, Alfie Templeman, Lip Critic, Wunderhorse and Mary in the Junkyard who have urged the festival to drop Barclays as a sponsor.Then, Cherym pulled out of playing Great Escape due to the festival’s connection with Barclays bank before record labels Alcopop and Big Scary Monsters joined the boycott and pulled out of the festival.Now, dozens more have joined the boycott over the controversial partnership. The latest to drop out of performing include Lambrini Girls, ZHEANI, Rett Madison, Mui Zyu, Hongza, Sarah Crean, LVRA, Ideal Living, Van Zon, COMRAD, Other Half, Cherym and Borough Council.Speaking about their decision not to play the festival, Lambrini Girls issued a statement saying: “We will not be appearing at The Great Escape festival this year.