The South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, has become the center of controversy as over 80 bands, artists, and panelists have withdrawn their participation in protest of the event's sponsorship by the U.S. Army, described as a 'super sponsor,' and its ties to defense contractors and the Israel-Gaza conflict. The festival, known for its diverse showcase of music, film, and interactive media, has faced backlash for its association with the military and defense industry, including RTX, a defense contractor known for supplying weapons to Israel. Texas Governor Greg Abbott responded to the boycotts with a dismissive message, telling boycotting artists, 'Bye. Don't come back,' and emphasizing Texas' pride in its military connections. SXSW organizers have distanced themselves from Abbott's remarks, stating that the festival 'Does Not Agree' with the governor and 'Fully Respects' artists' rights to protest. The festival has also been criticized for its alleged connections to the defense industry, leading to a broader debate about the role of military and defense sponsorships in cultural events.
Bands pull out of SXSW Festival in protest of U.S. army sponsorship https://t.co/DSBdoDu5Eg
Dozens of speakers and performers are canceling their appearances at the South By Southwest (SXSW) festival, in protest of the event’s sponsorship by the U.S. Army amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas war https://t.co/5IaHblxKus
SXSW 2024: Artists drop out of showcases over U.S. Army sponsorship https://t.co/3j2vDzeviq
Over 60 bands have dropped out of SXSW due to the festival's ties to the U.S. military, to which Texas Governor Abbott replied, 'Don't come back.' https://t.co/XrzeQGCE9a
Artists and speakers protest SXSW festival over defence sponsors, Gaza war https://t.co/Tt1tYAqsmw
SXSW supports artists boycotting the Austin festival, even as the Texas governor slams them https://t.co/E2ZTXVuIzp
Dozens of artists boycott SXSW over military sponsorship, Israel ties Gov. Abbott's message to boycotting artists? "Bye. Don't come back." https://t.co/6ojO9SBArd
Now musicians are boycotting SXSW because it has a sponsorship deal with the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army is allegedly fighting on Israel's side against Hamas. But wait a second, the U.S. Army isn't fighting Hamas, the IDF is. https://t.co/NhUtPHYLrF
ozens of speakers and performers are canceling their appearances at SXSW, in protest of the event’s sponsorship by the U.S. Army https://t.co/dbCKxWMPmh
About 80 musical acts, speakers and sponsors pulled out of engagements at the SXSW festival in Austin to protest sponsorship by the U.S. Army and defense companies as pressure grows against the U.S. military’s support of Israel in the war in Gaza. https://t.co/mUlwXyP7s3
The organizers of the annual South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas, sparred with Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott on social media Tuesday after bands pulled out of the event in protest of the U.S. Army sponsoring it. Read more: https://t.co/OISwhNbdea https://t.co/G6AnoJmu0h
Dozens of artists and speakers pull out of SXSW festival in protest of military and defense industry sponsorships https://t.co/lBYoHq4TfM
Dozens Of Bands And Panelists Pull Out Of SXSW Festival In Texas: Here’s Why https://t.co/xMJc7r0ok5 https://t.co/SYISaw3Ukm
'If you don't like it, don't come back!' Texas Gov. Greg Abbott slaps down woke musicians boycotting SXSW in Austin due to 'super sponsors' such as the US Army and weapons makers as well as speeches by the CIA and NSA https://t.co/nCYS4MpIZS https://t.co/RKiggT1lqU
More than 60 artists have dropped out of #SXSW after learning the U.S. Army and defense contractor RTX are sponsors. They argue SXSW has cozied up to the defense industry and RTX, which has supplied weapons to Israel in the war in Gaza. https://t.co/HtireZXF0Q
The organizers of the annual South by Southwest music festival in Austin, Texas, sparred with Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott on social media Tuesday after bands pulled out of the event in protest of the U.S. Army sponsoring it. https://t.co/uMcamZ00Gb
Over 80 bands pull out of South by Southwest in protest of festival’s Israel ties https://t.co/8ReTYQjxBn
All Irish bands booked have now pulled out of SXSW 2024 in solidarity The bands all pulled out after learning that the US Army was a "super sponsor" of the event https://t.co/ptQx0bRGMD
Performers, speakers pull out of SXSW over U.S. Army sponsorship https://t.co/9adcWLcmx3
More than 80 bands and several scheduled panelists have pulled out of the ongoing South by Southwest festival, citing Israel defense ties among its organizers. https://t.co/30qLnbgjTD
SXSW and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott have responded to @sqrrlflwrr, Scowl, @yayabeybay, and more pulling out of this year's festival in protest of the festival’s connections to the U.S. Army, listed as one its six “super sponsors.” 🔗 Read the news. https://t.co/aDBOAluZW4 https://t.co/n9OFuUeSNU
SXSW responds after dozens of artists boycott conference https://t.co/LQa8O0t7Ik
Several musical acts have pulled out of the indie rock showcase conference SXSW (South by Southwest), partially in opposition to the US providing military aid for Israel. https://t.co/ZNCqt9EL6k
SXSW Stands By Military, Weapons Maker Partnerships As Bands Boycott Over Gaza https://t.co/WoUN8qCP4n
SXSW Responds To Texas Governor’s “Don’t Come Back” Comment After Musicians Drop Out Of Fest Protesting Military Ties https://t.co/pVizc0aWvD
More than 80 music artists and multiple panelists have canceled appearances at SXSW over the U.S. Army’s sponsorship of the event. https://t.co/ps4uWP1cQZ
When some bands pull out of SXSW over military affiliations, Abbott says good riddance https://t.co/cB1KAwciZn
The South by Southwest (SXSW) festival responded to Texas. Gov. Gregg Abbott telling protesting bands "don’t come back." “We are an organization that welcomes diverse viewpoints, the organization said. https://t.co/j5nnqJHY65
Dozens of Artists Drop Out of SXSW Over Ties to Military and Defense Contractors https://t.co/MRXJgw1QjG
SXSW, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott Spar About Bands Pulling Out in Protest of Military Sponsorship "Don't come back," Abbott wrote to angry artists, while SXSW organizers distanced themselves from him. Story: https://t.co/BHgfqxr0L9 https://t.co/Fj9jWaSHXh
SXSW defends artists boycott after Greg Abbott says 'don't come back' https://t.co/hPfg0qqj0Y
As artists pull out of #SXSW in solidarity with Palestine, the festival has addressed its connections to the U.S. Army and a prominent defense contractor. Read more ↓ https://t.co/o9OlWP9fvj
SXSW responds after over 60 artists drop off the 2024 festival; Gov Greg Abbott says, "If you don’t like it, don’t come here" https://t.co/9fupthYZ5a https://t.co/BmfTMYUb9F
SXSW "Does Not Agree" with Texas Governor Telling Boycotting Artists "Don't Come Back" https://t.co/sLBbAf3s22
SXSW addresses protest over defense industry ties after Governor Greg Abbott tells musicians "don't come here" https://t.co/5dPUGrSNCv
SXSW doesn’t support the US military? Outrageous and offensive. https://t.co/rUp9DGFNNP
Boycott @sxsw! https://t.co/GhIqAoeDsg
SXSW 'Fully Respects' Artists Boycotting Festival Due to U.S. Army Sponsorship: 'We Are Witnessing Unspeakable Tragedies' and 'Repressive Regimes' https://t.co/ZV39avhvcY
We salute the 80+ artists boycotting @sxsw and we urge all artists to withdraw from official events. https://t.co/MDVS6m8l2o
SXSW does not agree with Governor Abbott. https://t.co/fOHHn9r5BG
A growing number of musicians are pulling out of SXSW due to concerns about the conference's ties to the military https://t.co/2xGFeqpIky
60+ artists say they are boycotting SXSW over its military ties. Gov. Abbott says "Bye." https://t.co/dr993p6X49
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. https://t.co/t3RyQgLRKN
Bands pull out of SXSW over U.S. Army sponsorship, Gaza war Read more: https://t.co/r7WwjOWkmw
Bands pull out of South by Southwest (SXSW) over U.S. Army sponsorship, Gaza war https://t.co/EUOyzQwgTz https://t.co/NWVQtJc1vR
SXSW: Bands pull out of festival over Israel-Gaza conflict https://t.co/MyhFZp1BTe
A number of artists including @KNEECAPCEOL, @Lambrini_Girls, @SPRINTSmusic and more have pulled out of performing at this year's SXSW in support of Palestine, over the festival's links to the U.S. Army. https://t.co/u7DWr29Mk7 https://t.co/P3ObMJSFPv