Artists Urge Distance From KKR
Many prominent artists, including Massive Attack and Brian Eno, signed an open letter during the field day, calling on the festival to distance itself from the KKR global investment firm.
- Read more: Groups on the “Big shoot of the boycott”: “Artists understand that they are forcefully”
Over 50 artists have signed this letter, urging the London festival to sever ties with the corporation that owns Superstruct Entertainment.
Coalition Against Injustice
On Tuesday, April 29, the letter was disseminated by the members of the SISU team, garnering support from Robert del Naja of Massive Attack and Brian Eno. Other notable signatories include Rrose, Debonair, Pangea, Ben Ufo, I. Jordan, Midland, and Jyoty.
“We are a coalition of artists, many of whom have performed at the festival in the past and present, united to resist Israeli genocide and uphold the rights of the Palestinian people in accordance with international law,” the letter states.
“KKR invests billions in companies that develop Israeli underground data centers and promote real estate in illegally occupied territories,” it continues. “While we recognize that this acquisition was not the choice of the festival, it nonetheless implicates the festival in crimes against humanity, apartheid, and genocide.”
Call for Ethical Practices
Furthermore, the letter demands that the festival “accept ethical initiatives and partnerships with politicians.” It emphasizes the festival’s “urgent and profound legal and moral responsibilities” to “publicly distance itself from KKR to the fullest extent possible, taking a clear stance against KKR’s investments complicity.”
Read the full letter here.
This event is part of a larger movement demonstrating support for Palestine. Earlier this year, Boiler Room issued a statement reaffirming its “irreconcilable position” after some artists withdrew from events due to their association with KKR (as reported by DJ Mag).
Additionally, it was reported that Superstruct Entertainment, owned by KKR, manages over 80 events across Europe, including Sziget and Brunch Electronik.
Recent news about a significant signing of protests coincides with another statement showing support for artistic freedom and the rights of musicians.
This letter is part of ongoing controversies surrounding an Irish hip-hop trio signed to the label, alongside political efforts to remove them from festival lineups this summer, including Glastonbury and Trnsmt, due to statements made on stage.
Other signatories include PULP, Fontaines DC, IDles, Paul Weller, Primal Scream, Enter Shikari, The Pogues, Lankum, Toddla T, Sleaford Mods, and Thin Lizzy.
In addressing the present contradictions, Massive Attack issued a statement defending the group and condemning the government’s silence on the killing of volunteer workers and the ongoing humanitarian crisis affecting children in the same area.
For over two decades, Del Naja and his group have been vocal supporters of Palestine, refusing to perform in Israel since 1999.
Brian Eno, in an open letter last October, urged the International Criminal Court to “execute its mandate to prosecute war crimes.”
https://www.nme.com/news/music/massive-attack-brian-eno-sign-open-letter-asking-field-day-to-distance-itself-from-global-investment-firm-3859811?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=massive-attack-brian-eno-sign-open-letter-asking-field-day-to-distance-itself-from-global-investment-firm
