Why have more than 80 artists and speakers pulled out from SXSW?

South by Southwest — aka SXSW — North America's largest music festival and media conference of its kind, is facing a boycott after it came out that the U.S. Military is a major sponsor this year.

More than 80 artists and panellists have pulled out from appearances at SXSW to protest the U.S. Military and various defence contractors' support of the festival, especially amid growing pressure for a permanent ceasefire and against the United States' support of the war in Gaza.

To explain why the actions of these artists and speakers are significant, film editor Kristy Puchko, culture writer Niko Stratis and music journalist Suzy Exposito join host Elamin Abdelmahmoud on Commotion.

We've included some highlights below, edited for length and clarity. For the full discussion, plus a chat about the queer erotic thriller Love Lies Bleeding starring Kristen Stewart, listen and follow the Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud podcast on your favourite podcast player.

LISTEN | Today's episode on YouTube:

Elamin: "South By" is the biggest annual music conference in North America. It's a huge deal, but this year, artists like Kneecap are dropping out after learning that the festival is sponsored by the U.S. military and a bunch of defence contractors. And it's because of the military's support of Israel, artists don't want to play. In all, 80 acts have dropped out of the festival. Niko, all these artists are relatively under the radar. These are not like Black Keys level headliners we're talking about. What makes their actions significant to you, in the grand scheme of things?   

Niko: This morning before we started this conversation, there's word going around of Reneé Rapp taking her time on the GLAAD stage to talk about the ongoing war. There are people that have something to lose in their careers who are taking this opportunity to stand in solidarity, to speak up, to say something. And I think that's a really important thing to take notice of. Some people might look at SXSW as an arts and music festival, but it is a networking event. It is an industry trade show. It is all these things. And these artists, especially the Irish artists, every artist from Ireland cancelled on going to the festival. And there's a lot of financial risk to that. There's a lot of time and energy and career opportunities lost. And to make this stand in solidarity with all those things to lose, I think is a really important action. And I think, ultimately, this is the thing that's going to draw a lot of attention to this. All of these artists are doing it in detriment to their own career growth.

Elamin: Kristy, you were just in Austin for the film component of South by Southwest. This happens before the bands arrive in Austin. Were you hearing any conversations about the sponsorships at this festival? 

Kristy: If you haven't been to Austin, it's hard to picture that festival. I will say I didn't hear anything about it until I started reading the news. When I was still on the ground, this conversation was not being had there. And what's interesting is that I think it's really important that the musicians are bringing up this topic because like the film festival part, there are sponsors, but unlike a lot of other film festivals I've been to, including Toronto's International Film Festival, the sponsorship stuff was not something I was very aware of at the festival.

Elamin: In response to bans dropping out, the Republican governor of Texas, Greg Abbott, sent out a message on social media that basically said, "Don't come back." 

The festival then issued this response. They said they disagree with the governor, that they respect the artists right to protest. But then they also doubled down on their commitment to military sponsorships. And this is a quote I'm going to read to you. SXSW said, "The defence industry has historically been a proving ground for many of the systems we rely on today. These institutions are often leaders in emerging technologies, and we believe it's better to understand how their approach will impact our lives."

Suzy, what did you make of the statement that South By put out? 

Suzy: We know they don't regret this decision or they wouldn't have made it. To me, making a statement is just so pointless. And I think they should have known that they would be at odds with a large swath of the creative community on this. The anti-war movement is a great American tradition. It's something that we have that's fallen off a little bit but it's being revitalised right now. 

Artists have been essential to the American anti-war movement. Honestly, it hardens me to see people be like, "Not everything is about selling things anymore." It's good to see indie artists put their careers on the line, to really exercise their free speech, but also to show a moral compass.  

You can listen to the full discussion from today's show on CBC Listen or on our podcast, Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, available wherever you get your podcasts.

Panel produced by Stuart Berman