Latitude Festival under pressure to end relationship with Barclays, as several artists refuse to play

The bank sponsors the event

Author: Sian RochePublished 14th Jun 2024

Latitude Festival - which takes place in Suffolk's Henham Park - is under pressure to end its relationship with Barclays, as several artists are refusing to play at the festival.

Others are threatening to withdraw over the investment bank's perceived links to Israel and sponsorship of the event.

Earlier this week, comedians Sophie Duker, Grace Campbell and Alexandra Haddow, with Duker sharing a photo of her at a previous Latitude Festival, along with a short video explaining that she would no longer be performing as long as Barclays were the sponsor, despite it being "magical for me in the past".

She said she believed the bank was "profiting from the production of weaponry" used in the Israel-Hamas war.

"I am committed to minimising my complicity in what I consider to be a pattern of abhorrent, unlawful violence," Duker added.

They follow in the footsteps of musical acts including Irish singer-songwriter CMAT, who announced last week that she would no longer be performing at the festival, which takes place at the end of July.

Tens of thousands of people are expected to attend the event, with Keane, Kasabian, Duran Duran and London Grammar due to headline.

What does Barclays say?

Barclays has defended its position, saying it does not directly invest in defence companies and recognises the "profound human suffering" caused by the war: "We provide vital financial services to US, UK and European public companies that supply defence products to NATO and its allies.

""Barclays does not directly invest in these companies. The defence sector is fundamental to our national security and the UK government has been clear that supporting defence companies is compatible with ESG considerations.

"Decisions on the implementation of arms embargos to other nations are the job of respective elected governments."

Other festivals affected

Latitude is not the only festival facing a backlash over links to the Israel-Hamas war.

Last month, more than 100 acts dropped out of The Great Escape Festival in Brighton and Hove due to its ties to Barclays.

In March, SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas, saw many artists refuse to play due to the event's connections to the US army and weapons companies linked with the conflict.

Download Festival, which takes place in Leicestershire this weekend, has seen acts including Pest Control, Scowl, Speed and Zulu pull out, also over the festival's sponsorship by Barclays.

Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app.