SXSW Ends US Army Partnership Amid Artist Backlash Over Palestine

South by Southwest (SXSW), the renowned film, culture, and tech festival held annually in Austin, Texas, has announced the termination of its partnership with the US Army and defense contractor RTX Corporation for its 2025 festival. This decision comes in response to widespread concerns from artists, many of whom withdrew from the 2024 event in protest of these partnerships, citing solidarity with Palestine.

Changes in Sponsorship Model

In a statement on its website’s FAQ page, SXSW explained, “After careful consideration, we are revising our sponsorship model. As a result, the US Army and companies who engage in weapons manufacturing will not be sponsors of SXSW 2025.”

Impact of the Boycott

The controversy began when over 80 artists decided to withdraw from the 2024 festival. This boycott was a reaction to Israel’s invasion of Gaza and SXSW’s ties with weapons manufacturers. The movement was spearheaded by Chicago-based songwriter Ella Williams, known as Squirrel Flower. Williams expressed her stance on Instagram, stating, “These defense contractors make the weapons that the IDF uses to bomb Gaza. The IDF has now killed at least one in every 75 inhabitants of Gaza, [and] I refuse to be complicit in that. I don’t believe that a music festival should include profiteers of war – I believe that art is a tool to create a better world and has no place alongside warmongers.”

Notable Withdrawals

Following Williams’ statement, other artists joined the boycott. These included the Brooklyn-based emo band Proper, the Los Angeles-based indie band Mamalarky, and North Carolina-based singer-songwriter Eliza McLamb. Mamalarky’s Noor Khan emphasized the ease of their decision to withdraw, stating, “Playing these two official shows could never bring us anything that matters more than the lives that are being lost in Palestine today.”

SXSW’s Initial Response

Initially, SXSW defended its partnerships while supporting the artists’ right to protest. The festival stated, “We fully respect the decision these artists made to exercise their right to free speech. Across the globe, we are witnessing unspeakable tragedies, the rise of repressive regimes, and the increasing spread of violent conflict. It’s more crucial than ever that we come together to solve these greater humanitarian issues. The defense industry has historically been a proving ground for many of the systems we rely on today. These institutions are often leaders in emerging technologies, and we believe it’s better to understand how their approach will impact our lives.”

Political Reactions

Texas Governor Greg Abbott reacted strongly to the boycott, addressing the artists with a blunt message on X (formerly Twitter): “Bye. Don’t come back. We are proud of the US military in Texas. If you don’t like it, don’t come here.”

Upcoming Festivals

Looking ahead, the 2025 SXSW festival will take place from March 7-15 in downtown Austin. Additionally, a new offshoot event is scheduled to debut in London in June 2025.

Stay tuned for further updates and artist lineups for the 2025 SXSW festival as the event approaches. For more information, visit the SXSW official website.