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UK Festivals respond to backlash over ownership ties to KKR
May18
Two major London music festivals, Field Day and Mighty Hoopla, have issued public statements follow
Two major London music festivals, Field Day and Mighty Hoopla, have issued public statements following mounting backlash and artist boycotts over their ownership ties to private equity giant KKR, which holds investments in Israel.
Both festivals are part of Superstruct Entertainment, the global live entertainment group that was acquired by KKR last year.
The connection has sparked criticism from pro-Palestinian artists and activists, especially amid heightened scrutiny of companies linked to Israeli interests.
The controversy escalated earlier this month when more than 50 artists signed an open letter condemning KKR’s alleged financial ties to companies operating on illegally occupied land in the West Bank and its broader involvement in Israeli infrastructure. The letter accused KKR of complicity in “Israel’s genocide in Gaza” and demanded that Field Day, among others, sever links with the firm.
Field Day, which partnered with Superstruct in April 2023, responded by stating that the move was made to secure the festival’s “creative and operational independence” and was completed before Superstruct was acquired by KKR. “The ownership changed but not the ethos,” the festival said in a statement, acknowledging the “passionate discussion” sparked by the issue and expressing regret over artist withdrawals.
“We are sorry that some artists have chosen not to perform at this year’s festival,” the statement read. “We know there will be many of you out there who are hurt and angry about this situation. We hope this helps you understand the position of the festival team.”
Mighty Hoopla echoed Field Day’s clarification of its timeline with Superstruct but went further in criticizing KKR. In a strongly worded statement, organisers said, “Whilst we cannot control agreements or investments made in our parent companies, we wish to state our clear opposition to KKR’s unethical investments.” They added, “No owner or investor will ever change what Mighty Hoopla stands for and the community it serves.”
The backlash has already led to some acts pulling out of Field Day’s upcoming edition. Both festivals face pressure to navigate the controversy while maintaining their reputations and relationships with artists and audiences.
Superstruct, founded in 2017 by former Live Nation executive James Barton and private equity firm Providence, has rapidly acquired a portfolio of more than 80 festivals worldwide. Its acquisition by KKR has now put many of those events under a spotlight.
The criticism is not limited to UK festivals. Earlier this year, Boiler Room — the live-streaming platform also owned by Superstruct — released its own statement distancing itself from KKR. “We will always remain unapologetically pro-Palestine,” it declared in March, emphasizing that no investor has ever influenced its editorial direction.
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