“We will not affiliate ourselves in anyway”
Lambrini Ladies have turn into the newest artist to boycott this yr’s South By Southwest Competition, saying they “can’t affiliate ourselves in anyway” with the occasion.
The Brighton punk band have joined the likes of Scowl, Gel, Okay Shalom and Squirrelflower in pulling out of performing on the pageant, which takes place in Austin, Texas from March 12-14.
Artists have taken difficulty with the occasion’s sponsorship ties to the US Military, amid the present Israel-Palestine disaster. Some have additionally pointed to the pageant’s ties to the defence contractor RTX Company, which has provided weapons to Israel.
“We’re pulling out of SXSW tomorrow,” the band wrote in an announcement posted to social media. “We received’t be going to Austin in anyway.”
We’re boycotting @sxsw pic.twitter.com/mGN7XeXlwr
— Lambrini Ladies (@Lambrini_Girls) March 9, 2024
“For transparency, the explanation it’s taken us a number of days to tug out the pageant is as a result of we obtained funding from PRS Basis to play. We had been looking for a solution to out of the scenario while retaining our ethical integrity in tact and never having to repay hundreds of kilos on the similar time.”
“That basically simply isn’t attainable. Cash must be repaid and we are able to’t affiliate ourselves in anyway with SXSW. With out our solidarity turning into completely inauthentic.”
“We had been contemplating going to the pageant and protesting on stage, however there isn’t a means to try this doesn’t really feel performative or inherently exploitative.”
The choice comes days after the band posted to have a good time Worldwide Ladies’s Day. “As Allies, we have to present solidarity for our trans associates as we speak,” they wrote, additionally taking intention at Harry Potter writer JK Rowling, following her transphobic previous feedback. “IWD is for all girls. No excuse for pricks like JK Rowling to hijack it with hate. In case your *Feminism* is diminishing Ladies, then you’re a misogynist. Trans rights at all times”.
The band have a historical past of talking out in defence of trans rights, going again to their 2023 monitor ‘Terf Wars’.
Final yr, they criticised Graham Linehan, who has turn into identified lately for perpetrating anti-trans sentiments. He has claimed his views have price him his profession and picture, and has been issued with a verbal harassment warning by police.
“A disappointing instance of a strong trade head afraid of genuine self expression. He would fairly assault people making an attempt to affirm it then deal with their very own prejudice. Oh boo boo Graham Linehan you’ve obtained to shit on others with the intention to keep related. Suck my balls,” they wrote.
In a 2023 interview with NME, vocalist Phoebe Lunny mentioned: “Punk in itself was about inciting constructive change, however now, it’s actually about fucking males stomping round on stage singing about capitalism, once they all come from fucking five-bedroom homes in Surrey. If you don’t get yourselves into these areas and really name individuals out on this fucking bullshit or simply attempt to train somebody a fucking lesson, then it’s not going to alter.”