Lorde, IDLES and MUNA are among the new artists joining the ‘No Music For Genocide’ Israel streaming boycott.
- READ MORE: Lorde – ‘Virgin’ review: the inquisitive artist strips herself bare
The new campaign is a cultural boycott initiative encouraging artists and rights-holders to pull their music from streaming platforms in Israel in response to the ongoing genocide in Gaza.
To join the coalition, the artists involved have edited their own release territories or sent geo-block requests to their distributor or label. They are encouraging major label groups Sony, UMG, and Warner to follow suit, particularly as they blocked their entire catalogues from and closed operations in Russia a month into their invasion of Ukraine.
Massive Attack, Fontaines D.C., Amyl & The Sniffers, and Kneecap were among the leading names to join the initiative when it launched back in September, as well as Paramore, Rina Sawayama, MIKE, Primal Scream, Faye Webster, Japanese Breakfast, Yaeji, King Krule, MJ Lenderman, Mannequin Pussy, Wednesday, Soccer Mommy, Björk and MØ.
Now, over 1000 additional artists have joined the campaign, including Lorde, IDLES and MUNA.
Paloma Faith, Obongjayar, Pinegrove, Marc Rebillet, and Sir Chloe are among the new names announced yesterday (October 3) on ‘No Music For Genocide’s Instagram, with London-based electronic music label Hyperdub Records has also joined the boycott.
A statement from ‘No Music For Genocide’ at the time of launch read: “Culture can’t stop bombs on its own, but it can help reject political repression, shift public opinion toward justice, and refuse the art-washing and normalization of any company or nation that commits crimes against humanity.
“This initiative is one part of a worldwide movement to erode the support Israel needs to continue its genocide. We’re inspired by the escalating efforts in pursuit of that goal, from the recent Film Workers For Palestine pledge to Spain’s ban of Israel-bound ships and planes to the Freedom Flotilla Coalition to Demilitarize Brooklyn Navy Yard to dockworkers in Morocco who’ve refused to load weapons onto vessels ordered by Tel Aviv.
“Many of our peers have felt, like ourselves, unsure how to use music in this moment. Our first goal with No Music For Genocide is to inspire others to reclaim their agency and direct their influence toward a tangible act. We are so grateful for all of the artists, managers and labels who have already committed to this first step, and we’re excited to expand this together. The more of us there are, the stronger we will be. This is just the beginning.”
Earlier this week, Hayley Williams explained why Paramore‘s music had briefly reappeared on streaming platforms in Israel despite the band joining the boycott, saying “my team have been relentless in trying to help get it done”, and that she thinks “as many artists as possible should try and participate in this initiative.”
Björk, having recently joined the boycott, has been outspoken in her advocacy for the Palestinian people in the past. In November 2023, she posted a series of maps of the Israel-Palestine region since 1946 on Instagram, writing, “Is this what you call sharing?”
In other news, earlier this month, Lorde performed ‘No Better’ for the first time in 11 years at her ‘Ultrasound’ world tour opener, and is set to continue her trek through North America until late October.
Her dates in the UK include shows at Manchester’s AO Arena, London’s O2 Arena, Glasgow’s OVO Hydro and Birmingham’s Utilitia Arena. Visit here for any remaining North American tickets and here for any remaining tickets for the UK and European tour dates.
‘Virgin’ scored a four-star review from NME, which read: “Ultimately, ‘Virgin’ is a vibrant combination of Lorde’s best qualities, and then some. With her newfound candour, the record combines the emotional whirlwind of ‘Melodrama’, the chilling minimalism of ‘Pure Heroine’ and the breezy freedom of ‘Solar Power’.
“This might be called ‘Virgin’, but Lorde proves she’s not afraid to strip herself bare.”
