Fourteen artists have cancelled their performance at Milkshake out of dissatisfaction with the controversial new owner KKR. That confirms a spokesperson for the Amsterdam festival after a joint message on Instagram.
The artists, united under the name Ravers for Palestine, announce that they no longer want to perform “in solidarity with the Palestinians.” They also do not want to contribute to the possible profits of investor KKR.
Previously, some artists had already cancelled their arrival at Zwarte Cross due to the takeover by KKR. Youp van ‘t Hek, Claw Boys Claw and Hang Youth no longer want to come. There are no well-known names among the artists who are now cancelling Milkshake.
Last year it was announced that the American KKR had taken over the British company Superstruct Entertainment, the parent company of various major festivals such as Milkshake, Zwarte Cross, Mysteryland and Awakenings.
The takeover recently received renewed attention because artists expressed concerns. According to them, KKR invests in weapons, fossil projects and Israeli companies that are active in the occupied West Bank.