Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
BY 12 MARCH it had become clear that the annual flight of a small coterie of Irish musicians to Austin, Texas for the SXSW Festival had become mired in geopolitics.
One by one, the Irish acts took their stands and decided against making the trip. It should be noted that this was not an easy decision for them. It’s a costly journey for a gigging band to make to the Texas music festival, but the knowledge that SXSW has strong links to the US military with the US Army as the main sponsor was enough to push these bands to pull out.
As Gaza has become unbearable for thousands of Palestinians and the global geopolitical atmosphere has become so tense, Irish musicians felt they had no choice but to step to the right side of history. By now, the dust is settling on another SXSW, but the international ripples may still develop into a small wave of permanent repercussions for the festival organisers.
Tonight, the Irish acts who have boycotted performing at SXSW including @Newdad, @chalk_band, @gurriersband, Enola Gay & Cardinals stood together in solidarity and released a joint statement at the Ireland House Showcase at SXSW Festival ✊🏻 pic.twitter.com/3m6Sl1HD48
— The Rock Revival (@TheRockRevival_) March 15, 2024
SXSW is a well-renowned annual event over 35 years in existence. It began as a music industry showcase where a mix of US and international music acts travelled to perform in front of a number of music industry types. We’re talking record and publishing labels, management companies, live agents and of course public audiences in the hope of furthering the careers of these bands.
The festival still works that way mostly, except the digital world has infiltrated it such that it is now an event where tech, film and multimedia wings converge. It has now morphed into a much more expansive industry get-together. That expansion has meant more sponsors have joined, and this year, the horrors in Palestine have brought those sponsorship links into sharper focus.
The first indication that something odd was afoot at this long-established event was on 2 March when word came out that a minor Chicago-based singer Ella Williams [aka Squirrel Flower] had announced her refusal to play.
To be honest, it didn’t really register until within hours small, largely unheard-of acts from NYC, LA and North Carolina had also posted notice of withdrawal. It’s important to note, in light of the subsequent total Irish delegation boycott that American acts such as Ella, Proper, Mamalarkey and Eliza McWilliams [to credit their original principled stand] had been first to respond.
An internet posting by ‘Austin for Palestine Coalition’ had alerted these independent acts to a problem and a trickle quickly became a flood with Brighton’s Lambrini Girls [UK] and Belfast’s hip hop trio Kneecap almost immediately coming on board and in turn the domino effect of artist withdrawals culminating in the complete SXSW contingent from Ireland cancelling their appearances.
As things stand, between 80 acts have decided to boycott the event as we now know, the reasoning being, the ‘super sponsorship’ of the festival by both the US army and various US defence contractors. The dots were now fairly easy to connect considering the current horrendous military activity and bombing taking place in Gaza, the day after day slaughter of thousands of largely defenceless women and children and obvious US military culpability in what looks like massive war crimes being carried out by the Israeli occupation forces.
The marriage of activism and popular music is widely acknowledged and recorded in times of war, strife and injustice so this article doesn’t need to delve into social history and the power of song as a subject.
Even the most casual of music fans will have heard of Bob Dylan, Billie Holiday, Bob Marley, Nina Simone, Marvin Gaye and more and would be aware of punk rock, folk, soul, hip-hop and rap as cornerstones of revolutionary change. In Ireland, both Moving Hearts, the late Sinéad O’Connor and even, current, Dublin 4-piece folk miscreants Lankum have aired grievances and voiced political opinions to mirror societal upheaval. So it should come as no surprise that the current generation of musical peers would hold strongly held views.
What is surprising is the shock at the withdrawal of the acts in the first place. Once musicians became aware that the event was being overtly funded by the armaments wing it probably doesn’t take a musicologist or behavioural expert to deduce that quite a number of those same musicians, in general, would baulk at their art being subsidised by proponents of military technology.
From an Irish perspective, and quite possibly in other European countries this issue will have reverberated amongst the arts funding bodies that subsidise trips like these to music industry events. Both Music From Ireland, a consultancy body that administers the logistics of these trips and Culture Ireland, a funding wing of the Dept of Arts & Culture that often covers travel expenses will have experienced some turmoil these past few days, particularly as the SXSW event had begun as this fissure opened.
They have navigated this role quite successfully for decades – I myself travelled to SXSW whilst managing an act in the late 90′s and we were grateful to be helped by Culture Ireland – but this controversy will no doubt lead to some introspection. A knowledgeable friend suggested that events like this and probably standard music festivals will now need investigative research to allay controversial hidden partners/sponsors in future.
While I agree that not only state bodies but acts, managers and music agents may have more research to do of the fine print, or, in this case, as it transpired, quite bold print, contained in events or festivals I’m certain there are not too many music gatherings that will be extolling publicly the armaments’ industry! The apparent oversight of many at SXSW to recognise this potentially sensitive link will be seen as a serious faux pas.
The bigger headache now may be all SXSW’s, although it’s arguable that 80 or so acts cancelling from a total of 1400 might not really affect this large player. The negative publicity will sting though, as any search for news on this week’s activities centres on this boycott. In some ways, this story could be construed as the festival being a victim of its own successful expansion into the ‘tech bro’ world.
The monetary help of its nation’s army and its first cousins, the defence manufacturers will be discussed post this week’s event but will any change be initiated?
Certainly regarding its original jewel in the crown, live music, perhaps some clear demarcation concerning its commercial partnerships may need to be addressed.
The music industry has changed and contracted in the past 25 years as, ironically, technology has eaten it up but for Austin, as a beautiful musical city with great bars and venues the cry will rise as to how this event, supposed to help new music and young musicians grab opportunities, addresses this undoubted contentious oversight.
SXSW does not agree with Governor Abbott. https://t.co/fOHHn9r5BG
— SXSW (@sxsw) March 12, 2024
Already, Texan politicians of a particular hue are causing embarrassment with machismo utterances and the response from the event’s spokespeople so far, has been insipid, unclear and frankly confusing, befitting an organisation under a little pressure.
Finally, a word of praise to all 12 Irish acts who have chosen to make a huge statement at a probable massive sacrifice to their professional growth. They have nailed their colours to the mast in favour of a people suffering an horrendous assault.
Bualadh bos to the bands:
Led by the Belfast boys, Kneecap and swiftly followed by Soda Blonde, Sprints and then an economically curt statement, in keeping with his modest aura, by Mick Flannery.
— Mick Flannery (@MickFlannery) March 11, 2024
For the less well-known acts, an even greater element of praise should be acknowledged. Musicians are not some amorphous generic blob, all of similar mindset. No doubt there are some as apolitical as anyone and they did not expect to be giving up their stab at performing and impressing a new American audience.
Here’s hoping this stance gives their careers a shot for the right reasons. They should be commended for unifying in the face of a true moral dilemma. As some of the musicians explained, their stance was nothing compared to the suffering of both the displaced Palestinian people in Gaza and the hostages and prisoners on both sides of the conflict as bombs and bullets rain down in the Middle East.
From an Irish musician’s viewpoint and the players involved, the bands’ meagre funds will have taken a hit, which is why their decision is so selfless and to be admired.
This controversy has overshadowed another issue regarding fees for performers which still seems to rear its head at so many festivals, but that subject is for another day.
For now, for the 80 or so musical acts that made a stand in Austin, it’s a clear message. Ceasefire now, the show can wait.
Pat Neary is an occasional music producer, recordist, booker, manager and promoter.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
€820,000!!!! €2Billion+ for the hospital and let’s not mention the printer.. I fully understand it’s specialist work but come on the urine is been taking..
@Jason Cole: actually, considering the size, age and complexity of restoring them to a standard such that they are robust and functional in the irish climate, €100k per gate pair is actually quite cheap. These aren’t your garden gates you know
@Jason Cole: don’t mention the urine Jason, that’s going to bump the bill even higher?
@David Memery: bit of rust primer and a coat of hammerite is all they need
@David Memery: I know it’s not your average gates and some work will be needed, but it just smells of pockets being lined and the cost will end up a lot more than the €820,000 quoted
@Jason Cole: Have you ever done restoration work. Its slow and difficult and the price is not over the top at all
@Gary Kearney: In that case I wish they’d priced new replica gates.
To me that’s absolutely crazy, I understand some things that has heritage must be preserved, but a set of gates, get the boat, throw them out and make a new set, and build 3 house from the change out of the 800k
@Mick Hannigan: it isn’t one pair of gates and they are very old requiring specialists.
@Mick Hannigan: You should read the article Mick. Its 8 sets of gates. Now I dont know if that’s more expensive than it should be,but it seems like the headline was designed to get the reaction you had.Throwing the Pope into the mix is more click bait,this was happening whether he came or not.
@Mick Hannigan: oh yes let’s continue to just throw out all the old stuff and buy new gaudy stuff off lesser quality and beauty. Drive round Dublin and just look at all the beautiful old buildings falling to ruin while modern monstrosities overshadow them. Then drive round a UK city that has a national trust fund specific fir the refurbishment of historic sites. Or any other European city. Phoenix park is a major tourist attraction do you really think people want to see a set of gates from 2020 when the very purpose of their visit is the historic sites.
@LittleBee: I didn’t say let everything go to bits, and it doesn’t matter if it 8 sets of gates, to me it’s to much money, make new ones, same design, and use the remaining cash for other things that’s needed, I also did say I understand certain things need to be preserved, just my opinion,
@Mick Hannigan: how much would new ones cost?
@LittleBee: never heard of a tourist coming to Ireland to visit Phoenix Park!! And I’m in the tourism industry!!!
@Craic_a_tower: ‘Bout 8 million.’20,000 for a hammer, 30,000 for a toilet seat’ (Judd Hirsch, Independence Day, 1996).
@Michael Lynch: yeah you proved you don’t really care about reality and just want to moan. It never matter to you the reality of the world you have a chip on your shoulder
@mr magoo: the open top tourist buses literally drive through Phoenix park . People who are interested in historic sights appreciate them. My Dad who is a historian and an artist could stand and look at stuff like this all day and would blow your mind with his knowledge of historic sights. Maybe you’re in the other end of tourism.
@mr magoo: It’s on many Dublin itineraries though …
@Mick Hannigan: Why not leave the gates in council yard. It will save on expenditure. I’m all for heritage etc. This is simply taking the piss. Otherwise send the bill to Rome. The Vatican can well afford it. You will not see homeless in Vatican city.
I’ll do it for 2 fiddy
@Frank Discussion: Ya gotta love it how the public purse is abused!
But, this Craic can’t last!
@Dom Layzell: Thats restoration work by a team of skilled craftsmen and women. They would have charged the same rate to anybody else.
They really should get a second quote.
@Aimoo: as the article says contractors, not the use of the plural, conducted a site visit it sounds like they did at least try and get more than one quote
@Aimoo: a number of tenderers visited the site in September and this was the cheapest quote. Its 8 gates and highly specialised work and important for our heritage. There should be more funding for the refurbishment of historic sites , Dublin is a disgrace in parts
@Aimoo: There’s such a thing as a tender process?
@Aimoo: Any public sector spend over €25,000 requires a tender process.
@Aimoo: they got 3 quotes and this was the cheapest.
Absolute taking the pish. Jesus does any job that needs to be done in the greater Dublin area require two extra zeros being added on to the end of every price.
@Finnster: SF will organise it for free.
@Finnster: plus VAT
Some scam artists nearly €800000 and they wont rehang them for that . €90000 per set of gates .
Dig deep here to find who’s behind this
They only repairing leading and painting .
Nice rip off for us taxpayers . I do this regularly for fraction of cost with gates. they are not made of gold like . Sickening stuff . Someone knows someone . enquiry needed immediately hold any payments
@Seamus Healy: did you tender for the job?
@John Considine: tendering process is robust
Arf arf arf
@Seamus Healy: So you are a craftsman then and are qualified to restore antique gates. You should have quoted for the job
Don’t be surprised if there is a huge bill for storage as the gates were taken down in 2018 another Printer episode Will the gates come back like The Golden Gates of San Fran
Bin them and make 8 new gates at a fraction of that cost. I have driven through them thousands of times and never noticed anything particularly arresting about them. No-one seems to be held accountable for the waste of public funds in this country. I’m a taxpayer and I do not want 800K spent on gates. Build 4 new homes instead. Or put the money into home-care packages to help free up some hospital beds. Why do we need massive iron gates on a public park anyway?
@Paul Whitehead: they are historic gates , the historic sites of Ireland are a massive tourist attraction. If you’ve never noticed them then that’s your own ignorance but lots if people including cash loaded tourists like to admire historic sites. There is more then one budget and money can be spent in more then housing and hospitals. You’re a tax payer who on another thread. probably moans about free loaders getting free houses ,. . More money should be spent in historic sites Dublin is a disgrace the way some of the buildings and sites have been left to fall into ruin.
@LittleBee: Yet it’s fine for tourists to look at homeless people who have to roam the streets? The gates can go in a museum.
Great grandfather made the gates for Kew Gardens in London in the 1880s. They searched the Uk and Ireland for smiths with enough skills. The team had to move to London for months to do the work. This isn’t a job for your average local farm gate builder. Years of learning and skill. They are artworks and we should celebrate the craftsmen who built them and the craftsmen who restore them. We need more support for artists and makers in Ireland not begrudgery
Sounds like “Bill’s Gates get rehung for 800,000″
That’s a big bill for gates
Howya boss
@John Jones: their fav aftershave
That would pay a for lot of NURSES…
The Journal really should rename it self as ‘The Anti-Catholic’.
@Michael: nothing wrong with that!
Anyone remember swing gate.
It does say other prices were given and this is the lowest, but I would imagine it’s at least 90 % labour and very little materials , it does seem high
Should send the bill to the Vatican!
@David Kelly: why…the gates are being restored. despite the misleading headline, their removal has nothing to do with that and the cost of the renovation.
Have we really missed them ??? With people living rough in and around this beautiful park can we really justify spending this sum on gates ?
@Deirdre Gosson: Agreed.
O Yes, they are taking to OPW for a ride as USUAL, once they see it is a Government Contract the price about trebles every time. That is what happens all the time, and those in charge quest agree, it is not their money, they know it is way over the top but just let it go. Nobody responsible and nobody gets into trouble. Same old story, public money very badly spent.
Replacing historic gates is expensive and probably right to do. The real question is why were they removed? To enable the visit of the head of an international crime syndicate?
The pope enables abuse.
@: They would get ‘Pearly Gates’ for that money.!!
@: read the headline and stop being such a fool. they were removed to facilitate entry and exit from the park. they were also removed as the visit presented an opportunity to refurbish the gates. your a bit quick to fall for the anti church rubbish from the Journal……
@: an international crime syndicate? What an ignorant comment from a bigoted moron.
Bushy Park Ironworks – will now be known as Lushy Park Ironworks following this contract.
There seems to be a culture of “milk the government” when it comes to public service contracts in this state. If only they would realise they are ripping us all off, i.e. the Taxpayer.
I’m in the wrong job.
Why has it taken so long?
More like Cushy Payment Ironworks got the contract.
This is not highly specialised work any any competent fabricator with the correct equipment could easily complete this work. Another scandal and pure waste. Public servants dishing out lucrative contracts to beat the band. A change of government is pointless unless a change happens in the public service
I don’t mind spending on the public landscape, I just wish we were more consistent in our care for it. Aspects of it in Dublin are just a total disgrace, most notably in paving. It seems anyone can get permission to tear up brick or cobbled paving and just refill with a messy pool of tarmacadam. The money originally spent on that brickwork is just wasted if it’s not going to be respected in subsequent works.
Downright robbery .
How many gates are. Involved
@FlopFlipU: 8
@FlopFlipU: read the article!
Should get someone to do a nixer for 400k
What a joke why remove them at all, get the church to pay not the taxpayer
@Jim Harrington: why would the church pay Jim? Do you support the integration of church & state?
Sounds a bit like Broadband gate and Childrens hospital gate!
Why take them down in the 1st place, just keep them open you G**shites.
“Sorry We DON’T have the funding ” as in line with the usual response we get from the government for other more necessary projects …
Leave them off so! Unnecessary expenditure and plus they’re ugly looking.
Send that bloody bill to the Vatican! :/
When is ludicrous spending for such visits going to stop?
Should have scrapped them old iron gates and made new ones
No accountability anywhere under the foolish FFG government.
Typical click bait journalism .
“Sorry We DON’T have the funding ” as in line with the usual response we get from the government for other more necessary projects …
Build new gates for a fraction of the cost. Some things aren’t worth restoring. Put them in a museum if people want to see them….its a bloody gate not a piece of art. 8 new gates, what €20-30k each? Done
What a waste of money you have the gates all it needs is peer restoration. Grow up an get an honest person to restore them who is do a good job without robbing the taxpayers.
have your say