Scowl, Speed, Zulu & more announce Palestine benefit show after dropping off Download Fest

Since October 7th, it’s becoming common for artists to drop off festivals due to sponsors that are believed to have ties to Israel or the military (or actually be the military). Most notably, SXSW saw a ton of bands drop official shows in the weeks leading up to the fest due to the military sponsorship, and then the same thing happened with Great Escape due to its Barclays sponsorship. Scowl dropped off both SXSW and Welcome to Rockville due to both festivals’ military connections, and now Scowl, Zulu, Speed, and Pest Control have dropped off Download Fest due to its Barclays sponsorship.

The Flatspot Records showcase in Austin was one of the official SXSW shows that Scowl were supposed to play in March, and that whole show ended up moving and becoming unofficial. After cancelling Welcome to Rockville, Scowl scheduled a Palestine benefit nearby in Florida. In place of Download, Scowl, their Flatspot labelmates Zulu and Speed, and the UK’s own Pest Control will be teaming up for a Palestine benefit show on June 14 at Centrala in Birmingham with Cauldron, Ikhras, and Transistrrr also on the bill. All proceeds go towards Palestinian aid and charities. See the poster for the show below.

Pest Control, who were the first to drop, wrote, “Barclays Bank oversees billions of dollars in investments and loans to companies whose weapons and technology are are used in Israel’s onslaught against the Palestinian people. We will not take part in an event whose sponsor profits from facilitating a genocide.”

Scowl said, “We will not be playing Download Fest this year due to Barclays Bank sponsorship of the event and Barclays connection to Israel and the genocide Israel is committing in Palestine.” Zulu also wrote, “Barclays Bank is involved with Israel and the genocide they are ACTIVELY committing against Palestine.” See social media posts from all four bands about dropping off Download Fest below.

Update: Ithaca have dropped off Download Fest now too. See their statement below.

Update 2: Dying Wish posted, “Either Download will drop the Barclay’s sponsorship or we will be dropping the festival. We will not be involved without it. We appreciate your patience over the last few days as we sort this out. Shout out to every band and person involved in the boycott and FREE PALESTINE.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8B6nMmCM9