The acclaimed Irish folk band The Mary Wallopers has pulled out of a major UK music festival, launching a powerful critique against its corporate sponsor, Barclays Bank. The band announced their withdrawal from August's Victorious Festival in Portsmouth, directly linking their decision to the bank's financial ties to companies that supply arms to Israel.
The band stated on social media that they "cannot in good conscience perform" at a Barclays-sponsored event. Their post highlighted the bank's investments in "companies supplying arms to Israel" and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, framing their cancellation as an act of solidarity with the Palestinian people.
This move places The Mary Wallopers at the forefront of the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement within the music industry. Their decision echoes a growing trend of artists using their platform to take political stances, particularly concerning the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Barclays and the BDS Movement Under Scrutiny
Barclays has repeatedly found itself in the crosshairs of pro-Palestinian activists and campaign groups. Organizations like Palestine Action and BDS Britain have long accused the banking giant of providing financial services and investment to arms manufacturers like Elbit Systems, which supply the Israeli military.
The band's statement amplifies these claims, suggesting that profiting from such investments is tantamount to being "complicit in genocide." This strong language reflects the intense emotions and high stakes surrounding the cultural boycott.
A Growing Chorus of Musical Protest
The Mary Wallopers are not alone. Their protest follows a wave of artist cancellations across Europe. Earlier this year, over 100 acts withdrew from the Great Escape festival in Brighton, also citing Barclays' sponsorship. This indicates a coordinated effort within the music community to pressure the bank and event organizers to cut ties.
This movement challenges the traditional separation of art and commerce, forcing festivals to consider the ethical implications of their funding sources. The Victorious Festival, one of the UK's largest urban music events, now faces significant publicity and potential further artist withdrawals.
The band concluded their statement by expressing hope that their action would inspire the festival to "cut ties with Barclays," demonstrating the very real economic pressure such boycotts aim to create.
