Last Dinner Party Boycott Wins as Mary Wallopers’ Set is Cancelled
The Last Dinner Party’s Festival Withdrawal
Boycott in Solidarity
The Last Dinner Party announced their decision to withdraw from their performance at the Victorious Festival in Portsmouth, England, on August 23. This move was made in solidarity with the Irish band Mary Wallopers, whose set was abruptly halted the previous Friday after they expressed support for Palestine.
Statement from The Last Dinner Party
In a statement shared via Instagram, The Last Dinner Party expressed their outrage over the situation. They stated, “We cannot align ourselves with political censorship and have therefore chosen to boycott the festival today.”
Incident with Mary Wallopers
During their performance, the Mary Wallopers unveiled a Palestinian flag and rallied the crowd with a call for "Free Palestine." This prompted intervention from festival staff, resulting in the band’s sound being cut. The crowd reacted negatively, and the band continued to show their support, bringing the flag back out, leading to cheers and chants.
Controversy Surrounding Sound Cut
The band criticized the festival’s misleading statement, asserting their sound was cut following their chants for Palestine, not due to any alleged discriminatory remarks. “Our video clearly shows a crew member attempting to remove the flag and then cutting our sound after the chant,” they clarified.
Highlighting the Urgency of the Situation
In their post from Saturday, The Last Dinner Party emphasized the dire conditions facing Gazans and the need for artists to leverage their platforms to raise awareness about humanitarian crises. They encouraged their followers to contribute to medical aid for Palestinians, concluding with “Free Palestine.”
Artists Supporting Palestine
Throughout this year’s festival season, numerous artists have voiced their support for Palestine. At the Newport Folk Festival, for instance, the Resistance Revival Chorus performed a prayer for Gaza. Actor-comedian John C. Reilly also showcased support by waving a Palestinian flag from the main stage.
Continued Advocacy
Earlier this year at Coachella, the band Kneecap faced challenges with their pro-Palestine messaging, as parts were cut from the festival’s livestream. Tensions around these forms of expression continue to highlight the ongoing struggles artists encounter while advocating for political issues.
What are your thoughts on artists using their platforms for social and political activism?
