Sónar, one of Europe’s premier electronic music festivals, is currently facing a significant threat as over 70 musicians and DJs have declared a boycott in response to the alleged connections of the festival's parent company, KKR, to Israel. The festival is set to take place in Barcelona from June 12 to June 14, and the artists have voiced strong opposition to any affiliations between the cultural sector and entities they believe are complicit in war crimes.

The open letter signed by notable artists including Kode9, Lolo & Sosaku, Juliana Huxtable, and Sunny Graves condemns KKR, citing claims that the company is linked to controversial housing developments in the illegally occupied West Bank. This assertion is bolstered by KKR's substantial investment in the German media giant Axel Springer, which reportedly advertises properties in the occupied territories on its classified ad site, Yad2, thereby implicating KKR in these contentious business activities.

In a significant financial move, KKR, a US investment firm boasting a staggering $710 billion (£526 billion) in assets, acquired the entertainment company Superstruct in June 2024 for €1.3 billion (£1.09 billion). This acquisition gave KKR control over a network of 80 music festivals spanning across 10 European nations and Australia, raising concerns about the ethical implications of its investments in regions facing human rights violations.

Ernest Urtasun, Spain’s Culture Minister, publicly declared that KKR is “not welcome in Spain.” He further emphasized that there has been a longstanding policy against companies with economic ties to illegal settlements in Palestine operating within the European Union. Urtasun's comments underscore the tension between cultural activities and corporate interests, especially when such interests are perceived to undermine human rights.

In response to the unfolding situation, Sónar released a statement distancing itself from KKR's financial activities, asserting that it does not have control over the parent company's investments. The festival reiterated its commitment to diversity and human rights, aiming to reassure its audience and participants that it stands firm against oppression.

Meanwhile, KKR has refrained from addressing the allegations directly, instead redirecting inquiries to a statement from Superstruct. Superstruct expressed its horror at the immense suffering occurring in Gaza and emphasized that, despite KKR's takeover, it operates independently and makes decisions based on the best interests of its fans, artists, and colleagues. This statement, however, has not quelled the rising discontent among the artistic community.

Lolo of the duo Lolo & Sosaku voiced her concerns about the disconnect between Sónar’s original ethos and its current operations under Superstruct. She pointed out a fundamental shift in the festival's identity, indicating that the artistic community feels alienated from the festival's current direction following its acquisition.

In a clear reflection of their beliefs, the Netherlands-based group Animistic Beliefs announced the cancellation of their performance at Sónar, articulating that KKR profits from “war, climate destruction, and systems of oppression.” They stressed the importance of taking a stand, recognizing that while no space is free from contradiction, there comes a time when a line must be drawn in the sand.

Other artists are also feeling the pressure to withdraw from events associated with KKR. The Spanish band La Élite declared their boycott of the FIB festival scheduled for July at Benicassìm due to the festival's ties to KKR, expressing the sentiment that many feel compelled to dissociate from events that they believe financially support unethical practices.

In their comments to the Guardian, La Élite underscored the frustration within the artist community, emphasizing that no one wants their money to contribute to perceived injustices. They further remarked on the moral imperative of naming the atrocities occurring in Gaza, framing it as a necessary act of solidarity.

Moreover, at least 15 artists have opted out of this weekend’s Field Day festival in London, which, like Sónar, falls under the Superstruct umbrella. Field Day, while insisting it had no influence over the KKR acquisition, publicly expressed its support for the people of Gaza and the peaceful efforts of Palestinian civil organizations.

It is also worth noting that last year, Sónar+D, a program accompanying the festival that focuses on innovation and technology, received approximately €880,000 (£740,000) in subsidies from both the Catalan government and the Barcelona city council, along with funding from the EU. However, the music festival itself does not receive any financial support from these entities, highlighting a separation in funding streams.