100 artists pull out of music festival in the UK to support Gaza

More than 100 artists have pulled out of this year’s Great Escape Festival in solidarity with Palestine, with Massive Attack also speaking out in support of the boycott.

The Great Escape is sponsored by Barclays, a UK headquartered bank with investments in companies that supply arms to Israel.

The sponsorship has resulted in widespread controversy.

“We will not be appearing at The Great Escape festival this year. This is a targeted approach of a cultural boycott, considering Barclays sponsorship,” said the Lambrini Girls, one of the acts that pulled out.

“Barclays provide financial services of over £1BN pounds to companies supplying military technology and weapons to the IDF, perpetuating the horrors unfolding in Gaza,” they added.

Another artist to pull out, Alfie Templeman, went on X to say: “I am no longer performing at The Great Escape festival this year due to their ongoing partnership with Barclays, who are actively funding the Israeli military and therefore being complicit in genocide. My morals cannot and will not align with the amalgamation of entertainment and human suffering."