Scowl, Zulu, Speed and Pest Control have withdrawn from this week's Download festival due to sponsor Barclays' links to defence contractors and weapons manufacturers who arm the Israeli military. This follows similar boycotts of , and music festivals. When announcing plans to boycott Latitude, Irish singer/songwriter CMAT stated that Barclays "invested over £100 Million into General Dynamics which provides gun systems to the fighter jets which are being used by Israel to bombard Gaza.
" Earlier today, June 10, Leeds crossover thrash band Pest Control became the first act to withdraw from Download, due to the involvement of Barclays: Barclaycard is listed on the section of the festival website as the 'Official Payment Partner of Liquid Death presents Download Festival'. Posting on their social media accounts, the band state: "We have made the decision to pull out of our upcoming shows at Download festival this week (Wednesday 12 June + Sunday 16th June). "This is due to us taking part in the boycott against Barclays bank, who are Download festival's payment partner and sponsor.
Barclays bank oversees billions of dollars in investments and loans to companies whose weapons and technology are used in Israel’s onslaught against the Palestinian people. We will not take part in an event whose sponsor profits from facilitating a genocide. "We're sorry to anyone who was looking forward to seeing us perform.
This is something we've been looking forward to for the best part of a year .