UK music competition fears after Barclays caves in to Gaza protesters

BBC DJ Liz Kershaw has hit out at protesters targeting Barclays‘ sponsorship of summer music festivals, warning that their woke opposition will be ‘potentially devastating for our culture’.

Ms Kershaw, 65, said that wrecking such financial deals would place many musical and cultural events under threat.

She spoke out after Barclays suspended sponsorship of music festivals staged by promoter Live Nation, including Download, Latitude and the Isle of Wight.

The bank, which puts in six-figure sums to help stage the events, pulled out after several acts refused to appear in protest at Barclays’ financial services for defence firms supplying Israel.

Live Nation held crisis talks with Barclays after artists such as country singer CMAT, metal band Ithaca and comedian Joanne McNally withdrew from planned slots this summer.

Liz Kershaw warned that the withdrawal of Barclays as a music festival sponsor was ‘really sinister and is potentially devastating for musicians, music lovers and our culture’

BBC DJ Liz Kershaw has hit out at protesters targeting Barclays ‘ sponsorship of summer music festivals, warning that their woke opposition will be ‘potentially devastating for our culture’. Pictured: Protestors attached a Barclay’s branch in Moorgate with red paint 

Barclays has suspended sponsorship of music festivals staged by promoter Live Nation, including Download, Latitude and the Isle of Wight (pictured last year)

Ms Kershaw posted on X: ‘Now our entertainment is under attack. No sponsor = no festival. Bullying of bands – no festival. 

‘This is really sinister and is 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 fees that help cover shortfalls after ticket sales.

A spokesman for Live Nation, which signed a five-year sponsorship deal with Barclays last year, said: ‘Following discussion with artists, we have agreed with Barclays that they will step back from sponsorship of our festivals.’

Mercury-nominated band Lankum, who will play Suffolk’s Latitude Festival next month, were quick to welcome the move.

‘There has been great collective effort from a number of bands, artists and fans to get to this point,’ said a band spokesman.

Last month more than 100 artists boycotted Brighton’s Great Escape Festival over ties to Barclays. 

Campaigners accuse the bank of increasing its investment 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 hold tickets are not affected and their tickets remain valid.

‘The protesters’ agenda is to have Barclays ‘debank’ defence companies, which is a sector we remain committed to as an essential part of keeping this country and our allies safe.’

Music industry insiders said they fear for the future of festivals if they lose sponsorship fees that help cover shortfalls after ticket sales. Pictured: Latitude festival in Suffolk last year

The bank added that the protests had led to intimidation of staff and vandalism of their branches.

‘The only thing this small group of activists will achieve is to weaken essential support for cultural events enjoyed by millions.

‘It is time that leaders across politics, business, academia and the arts stood united against this.’

Three weeks ago Hay Festival of Literature dropped its main sponsor, investment manager Baillie Gifford, after a boycott by speakers and performers over links to Israel and fossil fuel companies.