Another year at SXSW has sparked protests from musicians and activists, who are voicing concerns over the festival’s associations with military and defense contractors.
On Friday, members of the United Musicians and Allied Workers gathered outside the J.W. Marriott in downtown Austin to challenge SXSW’s connections with Spotify and Capital Factory, a local technology incubator, citing their affiliations with the military sector.
Former Galaxie 500 drummer Damon Krukowski expressed disapproval of the festival providing a platform for both Spotify and Capital Factory. He highlighted that the streaming service’s founder has invested in a company developing AI-powered drones, drawing a parallel between AI-generated music and AI-driven weaponry. “They’re pushing buttons and killing people at a distance,” he remarked. “It’s not the same thing, but they’re also pushing buttons and killing music at a distance, you know? And then they’re upstairs telling us it’s the future of music.”
SXSW issued a statement clarifying that its programming does not equate to endorsement and emphasized that it does not accept sponsorship from companies directly involved in weapons manufacturing. A festival spokesperson acknowledged the right of UMAW to protest and expressed a commitment to fostering constructive dialogue.
This is not the first time SXSW has faced backlash for its military connections. In 2024, musicians protested the festival for featuring the U.S. Army and arms manufacturer RTX, leading to the cancellation of future collaborations with military sponsors.
Capital Factory is recognized as a center for diverse tech investments, yet its Center for Dual-Use Innovation reveals substantial ties to the defense sector, having secured over half a billion dollars in military contracts since its inception in 2019. Its partners include prominent firms such as BAE Systems and Palantir, known for their surveillance capabilities.
Attempts to contact Capital Factory and Spotify for comments have gone unanswered.
In its 2024 statement, SXSW indicated a willingness to reassess its programming, asserting that the U.S. Army and companies involved in weapons manufacturing would not sponsor SXSW 2025. However, this statement appears to have been removed from the festival’s website.
Capital Factory has maintained a presence at SXSW for several years, having signed an agreement in 2020 to serve as an official host.
Correction: An earlier version of this report inaccurately identified Damon Krukowski as residing in Austin.
