SXSW responds after 60+ artists drop off 2024 festival; Gov Greg Abbott says “don’t come here”

Earlier this month, a few artists dropped off the 2024 edition of SXSW in protest of the festival’s ties to defense contractors and in support of the Palestinian people; The Austin Chronicle reports that over 60 artists have now cancelled their official showcases. Texas governor Greg Abbott addressed the situation on social media today, writing:

Bands pull out of SXSW over U.S. Army sponsorship.
Bye. Don’t come back.
Austin remains the HQ for the Army Futures Command.
San Antonio is Military City USA.
We are proud of the U.S. military in Texas.
If you don’t like it, don’t come here.

As Stereogum points out, Abbott’s message prompted SXSW to publicly address the cancellations. On social media, they wrote, “SXSW does not agree with Governor Abbott,” continuing:

We are an organization that welcomes diverse viewpoints. Music is the soul of SXSW, and it has long been our legacy. We fully respect the decision these artists made to exercise their right to free speech.

Across the globe, we are witnessing unspeakable tragedies, the rise of repressive regimes, and the increasing spread of violent conflict. It’s more crucial than ever that we come together to solve these greater humanitarian issues.

The defense industry has historically been a proving ground for many of the systems we rely on today. These institutions are often leaders in emerging technologies, and we believe it’s better to understand how their approach will impact our lives.

The Army’s sponsorship is part of our commitment to bring forward ideas that shape our world. In regard to Collins Aerospace, they participated this year as a sponsor of two SXSW Pitch categories, giving entrepreneurs visibility and funding for potentially game-changing work.

We have and will continue to support human rights for all. The situation in the Middle East is tragic, and it illuminates the heightened importance of standing together against injustice.

In a statement to Stars and Stripes, Army spokesperson Ellen Lovett said, “We’re proud to be a sponsor of SXSW, and to have the opportunity to showcase America’s Army. SXSW presents a unique opportunity for the Army to meet technology innovators and leaders, explore new ideas and insights, and create dynamic industry partnerships as we modernize for the future.”

Artists who have dropped off SXSW since we last posted include Scowl, Kneecap, SPRINTS, Glare, Tomato Flower, Lambrini Girls, Lip Critic, Horse Jumper of Love, Strange Joy, Bloomsday, They Are Gutting a Body of Water, This is Lorelei, fantasy of a broken heart, Trauma Ray, Omni, The Armed, Allegra Krieger, Yaya Bey, cumgirl8, and more.