Boycotted by Many Musicians, SXSW Ends Partnerships with US Army and Weapons Manufacturers

SXSW 2024 at Austin, Texas (Instagram @sxsw)

JAKARTA - After a series of boycotts received from musicians, South by Southwest (SXSW) finally stated that they are no longer working with the US Army and weapons manufacturers, as happened at the last event in Austin, Texas, United States last March.

Through its official website, the event dedicated to films, interactive media, and music festivals stated that it is no longer accepting sponsorship from the US Army and weapons manufacturers.

"After careful consideration, we are revising our sponsorship model. As a result, the U.S. Army and companies involved in weapons manufacturing will not be sponsors of SXSW 2025," SXSW said in a statement.

By terminating their partnerships, SXSW appears to be taking note of the protests from musicians who were supposed to perform at their events but canceled after learning that the U.S. Army and weapons manufacturers were sponsoring them.

The musicians' protest was related to the position of the two sponsors who were considered to support the genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Reality Club, an Indonesian band that was supposed to perform at SXSW last March, was one of the performers who launched a boycott. They withdrew and chose not to appear at the event.

"Based on information related to the US Army as the main sponsor of SXSW and the participation of defense contractors who produce and supply weapons used to attack Palestinians, we have decided to withdraw from our SXSW show," wrote Reality Club in the caption of the Instagram upload.

SXSW is not the only festival to receive boycotts over its stance against the struggles of many musicians for the Palestinian cause. The Great Escape festival has also received numerous boycotts because its main sponsor is considered to support the genocide committed by Israel.