Several artists pulled out of their performances at London festival Field Day after learning that its parent company was acquired by KKR.
This week, a number of artists have distanced themselves from London festival Field Day after learning that KKR — an investment firm that holds stake in Israeli Defense Force-adjacent groups — purchased its parent company, Superstruct Entertainment. The festival’s organizers have now responded with a statement.
The Instagram post doesn’t take a discernible stance on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “Since Field Day began as an independent festival in 2007, our aim has always been, simply, to give you an incredible festival experience with the very best artists from around the world,” it reads. “Through many challenging times, various venues and several changes of ownership, Field Day has never compromised on those ambitions and values, putting on the best show we can in the way we always have.”
The statement continues: “By partnering with Superstruct Entertainment in April 2023, the future of the festival and its creative and operational independence were secured — the ownership changed but not the ethos. Since then, as has been reported, they have been bought by KKR, of which we had no say in, which has prompted a passionate discussion.”
Field Day’s organizers say that “they remain in full creative control” of the festival, and that their “values remain unchanged.” They steer clear of the issues at the heart of the matter, namely that some of KKR’s assets are defense companies tied to perceived atrocities in Palestine following the Hamas-led attack on Israeli soil on October 7, 2023.
Previously, more than 230 artists had signed an open letter urging Field Day to cut ties with KKR. Among them were Ben UFO, Brian Eno, and Robert Del Naja of Massive Attack. Midland, Spray, Roza Terenzi, and the Sisu Crew — the lattermost of whom penned the letter — have followed through and pulled out of their scheduled performances at the event.
