Joanne McNally has pulled out of Latitude Festival – joining other Irish stars such as CMAT and Pillow Queens who are no longer performing.
The comedian was set to close the comedy tent at the UK festival due to take place in Henham Park in Suffolk from 25 to 28 July.
The 41-year-old pulled out because the event’s main sponsor is Barclay’s bank – who reportedly increased their financing of companies who are supplying weapons and military technology to Israel.
Joanne took to her Instagram story to confirm to her followers that she is not longer attending.
She wrote: “I’m getting messages today about me performing at Latitude when it’s being sponsored by Barclays.”
I’m not longer doing Latitude,” she simply confirmed.
“I was due to close the comedy tent on the Sunday night but I pulled out last week.”
“I’m on the old artwork but I haven’t been listed on the site since I pulled out a week ago,” the comedian added.
Last week CMAT pulled out of Latitude Festival in solidarity with the people of Palestine.
The 28-year-old took to Instagram to release a statement, she wrote: “Hi everyone. I am very sorry to announce that I am officially pulling out of playing the main stage of Latitude festival 2024.”
“You may or may not be aware, but Latitude’s main sponsor is Barclay’s bank, who have been revealed to have increased their financing of various companies who are supplying weapons and military technology to Israel.”
“Specifically, it has invested over fioo Million into General Dynamics which provides gun systems to the fighter jets which are being used by Israel to bombard Gaza.”
She continued: “I made Latitude aware of what my decision would be weeks ago, but was hoping that with all of the press surrounding the brave artists who pulled out of The Great Escape festival for the same reasons, that Latitude would divest from Barclay’s or find another sponsor.”
“This has not happened and it has been made clear to me that it will not happen. As such I am now officially pulling out.”
“I will not allow my precious work, my music, which i love so much, to get into bed with violence.”
“Myself, and the entire CMAT touring crew who i love so much, refuse to be complicit in genocide.”
“I want to say how utterly devastated i am that it has come to this. I love Latitude festival, they gave me one of my first big festival slots back in 2021, and playing the sunrise arena is one of my most cherished memories ever.”
“The image used here is me on my way to the stage. i was so excited! It was the first time i’d met so many people who believed in me and i had been looking forward to the full circle moment this slot would have given me, the band, and my fans.”
“I really hope to play this festival again in the future under different circumstances, and under a different sponsor.”
“I also want to say i am so so sorry to be letting down anyone who was coming to see us at Latitude.”
“I really hope i can make it up to you somehow, and i hope you can understand my choice to not play.”
“I toyed with the idea of playing and donating our fee, but it honestly just isn’t what the BDS movement is asking me to do, and i could never claim to know more than them.”
CMAT insisted: “Let me be clear. There is a genocide happening in Palestine right now. All i can do as a citizen is turn up to as many demonstrations as possible and try to follow the advice of the BDS boycott list as closely as i possibly can.”
“This falls under that action. I hope that as many of you reading this as possible will choose to show your solidarity with the Palestinian people in whatever way you can.”
She signed off the message: “Boycott Barclays. Free Palestine. Lots of love, CMAT xxX”
The singer-songwriter joined Pillow Queens as the latest Irish act to pull out of the festival – which is set to take place in Henham Park in Suffolk from 25 to 28 July.
Headliners for the 2024 festival include Duran Duran, Kasabian, Keane and London Grammar.
