Mystery Jets’ Blaine Harrison has said he has “huge respect” for those boycotting The Great Escape, but insists there is “no shade on those who haven’t”.
The 2024 edition of the event – which showcases new and rising artists – is currently taking place across various music venues in Brighton until Saturday (May 18).
The Great Escape is sponsored by Barclays, which has been a source of controversy amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza because of the bank’s financial investment in companies that supply arms to Israel.
Harrison has weighed in on the topic now, writing in a lengthy social media post: “Huge respect for the 100+ artists who have pulled out of The Great Escape in Brighton this weekend on the grounds of its sponsorship by Barclaycard, who are actively supporting the genocide and horrific war crimes in Gaza by investing in companies supplying arms to Israel.”
As The Great Escape kicks off in Brighton today, huge respect for the 100+ artists who have pulled out due to the sponsorship by barclaycard. But no shade on those that haven’t. Here are my thoughts on it #bandsboycottbarclays#ceasefirenow pic.twitter.com/xEoFEt8qsT
— Blaine (@blaineharrison) May 15, 2024
“As one of the biggest music showcases in Europe, it’s important to recognise the sacrifice new artists are making by pulling out of potentially the most important show of their career so far,” he added.
“At a time when it’s harder than ever to make a viable living in music, the artists boycotting will be forgoing the chance to be discovered by managers, labels, publishers, agents and promoters. And most of all, new fans – the majority of who will not be entitled to ticket refunds.”
Harrison then went on to address the bands who have not pulled out of playing the festival. “Play the show. But use your voice to call for an end to the horrors. Take as much of your fee as you need to cover costs, then pay as much as you can of what’s left over to Medical Aid for Palestinians (map.org.uk) or Doctors Without Borders (msf.org.uk). And if you can’t donate, create. A poem, a song, a video. Show your audience where you stand.”
Finally, Harrison concluded by adding: “Music is medicine for the human spirit, an outlet for expression which the world needs now more than ever. It’s the abuse of power, the funding of weapons and the destruction of innocent lives that need to be stopped, not the music. Ceasefire now.”
The issue with The Great Escape was first highlighted in a petition started by the promoter How To Catch A Pig and the band The Menstrual Cramps – which has since been signed by musicians including Kneecap, Lambrini Girls, Alfie Templeman, Lip Critic, Wunderhorse and Mary In The Junkyard.
Over 100 artists went on to drop out of the festival in solidarity with Palestine.
Dozens more acts soon followed suit, with over half the line-up demanding that The Great Escape drop its sponsorship deal with Barclays. “Israel continues to defy international law, ignore the United Nations calls for a ceasefire and block aid from reaching Palestinians in Gaza, including by killing aid workers. We cannot be silent. We will not be complicit in The Great Escape being a branding opportunity for Barclays,” their open letter read.
Earlier today, Brian Eno lent his support to the cause, writing: “Israeli leaders need recognise the impact of Palestinian-led boycott, divestment and sanctions (BDS) moment has had. Although I understand the special cultural significance of The Great Escape Festival, I want to salute the courageous artists who passed up a chance to play there in support of the people in Gaza.”
Mystery Jets’ last studio album was 2020’s ‘A Billion Heartbeats’. In a four-star review, NME wrote at the time: “With protest songs and celebrations of the NHS all part of their new identity, it’s a wildly successful take on the world at large as the band enter a new decade. Far from just indie survivors, it seems like these Jets have still got plenty of fuel left in the tank.”
The band are set to play a number of shows this summer, including in Guildford on May 24 and at Live At Leeds the following night. They also play the Margate Lido on July 26 and at Lazydays Festival in Southend the same day. Find tickets for all the dates here.