Pest Control pull out of Download 2024 over Barclays sponsorship: “We cannot sacrifice the principles held by this band”

nme.com:

Pest Control have pulled out of Download 2024 over its sponsorship with Barclays and the bank’s ties to Israel.The band took to their official Instagram to share a statement explaining why they would be boycotting the annual festival in Donnington. “We have made the decision to pull out of our upcoming shows at Download festival this week (Wednesday 12th June and Sunday 16th June),” began their statement.They explained that they are taking part in the boycott against Barclays bank who are sponsoring the music festival. “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.”A post shared by PEST CONTROL (@pestcontrolthrash)Pest Control went on to apologise to any fans who were looking forward to seeing them perform and added that they were actually looking forward to playing the festival since it was going to be a “milestone for us as a band,” but added: “We cannot sacrifice the principles held by this band and by the scene we come from and represent, just for personal gain.”The band included @bandsboycottbarclays in the caption of their statement. @bandsboycottbarclays recently shared a post revealing the music festivals who are sponsored by Barclays.

The list is currently comprised of Download, Isle Of Wight Festival, Camp Bestival and Latitude.“These are the festivals partnered with Barclays, who are bankrolling the genocide in Gaza then laundering their reputation at home by sponsoring cultural events.