Musicians across Europe are boycotting festivals owned by private equity firm KKR due to its investments in Israel's defence industry and illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank. The protest has spread from major events in Spain and the UK to the Netherlands, where popular bands and DJs are now pulling out of performances.

Amsterdam

Israel and Iran have agreed a ceasefire after a twelve day conflict. Meanwhile, Israel strikes in Gaza continue with the humanitarian crisis deepening.

Middle East Conflict

A significant number of DJs and artists are boycotting major European music festivals, citing outrage over the ongoing conflict in Gaza and concerns about festival ownership ties to private equity firm KKR. The boycott has affected events known for their focus on inclusion and social justice, with some performers choosing to play at smaller festivals instead.

Superstruct Entertainment, which operates many of the affected festivals, stated that it is independently run and that all profits remain within the company, but this has not satisfied all artists. The movement highlights how music festivals are increasingly becoming platforms for political protest, as musicians hope their actions will inspire broader political change.

Gaza war sparks wave of boycotts at major European music festivals

When more than 30 DJs and artists are boycotting one of Europe's most popular festivals known for its mission of inclusion and social justice, you know something's wrong. For millions across Europe, summer means live music, dancing and camping at noisy festival grounds. But this year is different. Palestine will be free! Free, free! Outrage over Israel's genocide in Gaza has turned podiums for music and culture once again into platforms for protest. Or are boycotted all together. Milkshake is one of 80 music festivals bought by private equity firm KKR, and I'm going to meet several DJs who decided to pull out of this festival. Why did you decide to boycott Milkshake? Throughout the crisis in Gaza and the genocide, it became very clear what the money flows were, hence why people stipulated the fact that KKR bought Superstruct Entertainment in 2024, therefore also being then complicit with the genocide. Babe, like you're literally performing on top of like stolen land, bloodshed, you know, and extreme violence and literal like genocide, so no. Superstruct, the company which owned the festivals bought by KKR, declined an interview, but sent us a statement. What's happening in Gaza and Israel has deeply impacted our community. Operationally, Superstruct is independently run. All revenue and profits from Superstruct events and festivals remains entirely within our business. KKR did not respond to our requests for comment. Superstruct's response hasn't convinced some major acts who have pulled out of the country's largest festival, Black Cross, and who are now playing here at a much smaller festival. You couldn't find the statement on their social media. And then at some point we were like, F it, like we're not going to play anymore. The thing that made us decide was the ideology behind targeted boycotts, and that they work. Historically, it's like they've proven themselves to actually work and make differences. While politicians in Europe remain silent, musicians are speaking out, hoping that the festival spirit of unity and inclusiveness will lead to political change and resistance. I'm Stap Vaassen, Al Jazeera, IJzendijk, The Netherlands.

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Gaza war sparks wave of boycotts at major European music festivals

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