SXSW Rejects US Military Sponsorship Ahead of 2025 Festival

Its organizers South by Southwest announced Wednesday that it has severed ties with the US military and other arms manufacturers after a 2024 festival that saw artists pull out of the lineup due to sponsorship deals with those entities.

“After careful consideration, we are revising our sponsorship model,” SXSW said a statement. “As a result, the US military and arms manufacturing companies will not be sponsoring SXSW 2025.”

In March, acts such as Kneecap, Scowl, Squirrel Flower, Eliza McLamb, Shalom and Mamalarky pulled out of SXSW because the festival was partially funded by the US military. “I am specifically withdrawing due to the fact that SXSW equips defense contractors, including subsidiaries of Raytheon as well as the US Army, the main sponsor of the festival,” wrote Squirrel Flower's Ella Williams. Instagram at that time.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott jumped into the fray soon after, defending the sponsorship and telling the departing artists, “Don't come back.” While organizers responded by saying “SXSW does not agree with Governor Abbott,” they initially defended the sponsorships.

SXSW “fully respects the decision these artists made to exercise their right to free speech,” organizers said in March. “The defense 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 is best to understand how their approach will affect our lives. Sponsoring the Army is part of our commitment to advance ideas that shape our world. As for Collins Aerospace, they are sponsoring two SXSW Pitch categories this year, giving entrepreneurs visibility and funding for potentially game-changing work.”

However, following the uproar the sponsorship caused – with around 80 artists dropping the bill – SXSW opted to end the partnership ahead of next year's festival.