Singer-songwriter Mick Flannery is the latest Irish artist to pull out of the prestigious US arts festival.
Flannery joins fellow Irish acts Gavin James, Sprints and Soda Blonde, as well as Belfast rap trio Kneecap, in a boycott of the South by Southwest Festival in Texas due to the event's links to the US military and the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict.
Kneecap were due to play three shows at the prestigious arts festival, which takes place from 8 - 16 March.
In a post on X, Flannery said he would "not be playing the previously advertised official showcase at the SXSW festival."
"I do not wish to be associated with weapons manufacturers," the statement added.
— Mick Flannery (@MickFlannery) March 11, 2024
Kneecap also shared the news that they would not be appearing at the festival on X. They wrote: "We have made the decision to cancel our three shows at SXSW and not travel to Austin as planned on Tuesday.
"It is done in solidarity with the people of Palestine and to highlight the unacceptable deep links the festival has to weapons companies and the US military who at this very moment are enabling a genocide and famine against a trapped population."
They added that their decision to pull out of the festival will have "a significant financial impact" on the band, "both on lost income and on logistical costs already incurred", but "it isn't an iota of hardship when compared with the unimaginable suffering being inflicted" on the people of Gaza.
Meanwhile, James posted a statement on Instagram, saying, "I have decided I will not be performing or traveling to SXSW this week.
"Music & art should always stand on the side of peace and humanity. I will never support any event that is associated with weapons of war.
"For anyone who may have planned to attend my shows, I hope to see you later in the year," he wrote.
Several acts from various countries, including American musician Squirrel Flower, have also said that they will be boycotting this year's festival.
