- DJ Liz Kershaw targeted protesters targeting Barclays’ sponsorship of festivals
- She warned that woke opposition will be ‘potentially devastating to our culture’
- Barclays has suspended sponsorship of Download, Latitude and Isle of Wight
BBC DJ Liz Kershaw has lashed out at protesters who were targeted Barclays‘ sponsorship of summer music festivals, warning that their woke up opposition will be “potentially devastating to our culture.”
Ms Kershaw, 65, said breaking such financial deals would jeopardize many musical and cultural events.
She spoke out after Barclays suspended sponsorship of music festivals from promoter Live Nation, including Download, Latitude and Isle of Wight.
The bank, which put up six-figure sums to help organize the events, pulled out after several acts refused to appear in protest at Barclays’ financial services for defense companies supplying defence. Israel.
Live Nation held crisis talks with Barclays after artists including country singer CMAT, metal band Ithaca and comedian Joanne McNally withdrew from planned performances this summer.
BBC DJ Liz Kershaw has lashed out at protesters targeting Barclays’ sponsorship of summer music festivals, warning their woke opposition will be ‘potentially devastating to our culture’. Pictured: Protesters have painted a Barclay’s branch in Moorgate with red paint
Liz Kershaw warned that Barclays’ withdrawal as a music festival sponsor was ‘truly sinister and potentially devastating for musicians, music lovers and our culture’
Barclays has suspended sponsorship of music festivals organized by promoter Live Nation, including Download, Latitude and Isle of Wight (pictured last year)
Ms Kershaw wrote on X: ‘Now our entertainment is under attack. No sponsor = no festival. Bullying bands – no festival.
“This is truly sinister and potentially devastating for musicians, music lovers and our culture.”
Other music industry insiders said they fear for the future of festivals if they lose sponsorship money that helps cover post-ticket sales shortfalls.
A spokesperson for Live Nation, which signed a five-year sponsorship deal with Barclays last year, said: ‘After consultation with artists, we have agreed with Barclays that they will stop sponsoring our festivals.’
Mercury-nominated band Lankum, who will play the Latitude Festival in Suffolk next month, were quick to welcome the move.
“There has been a great collective effort by a number of bands, artists and fans to get to this point,” a spokesperson for the band said.
Last month, more than 100 artists boycotted the Great Escape Festival in Brighton over links to Barclays.
Campaigners accuse the bank of increasing its investments in arms companies that trade with Israel.
Barclays said: ‘We have agreed to suspend participation in the remaining Live Nation festivals in 2024.
‘Barclays customers who have tickets will not be affected and their tickets remain valid.
“The demonstrators’ agenda is to have Barclays ‘debank’ defense companies, a sector we remain committed to as a vital part of keeping this country and our allies safe.”
Music industry insiders said they fear for the future of festivals if they lose sponsorship money that helps cover post-ticket sales shortfalls. Pictured: Last year’s Latitude festival in Suffolk
The bank added that the protests had led to intimidation of staff and vandalism at its branches.
“The only thing this small group of activists will achieve is weaken vital support for cultural events enjoyed by millions of people.
“It’s time for leaders from politics, business, academia and the arts to unite against this.”
Three weeks ago, Hay Festival of Literature dropped its main sponsor, investment manager Baillie Gifford, after a boycott by speakers and artists over ties to Israel and fossil fuel companies.
