Festivals on the political frontline: ‘Art should provoke’
From boycotts and artist bans to online storms and lost subsidies, festivals increasingly face pressure from a highly politicised world
Feature By James Drury | 20 January 2026
This summer, one of the most prominent challenges facing Europe’s festivals came from the changing political landscape they find themselves in. Promoters are increasingly caught between competing political forces, activist campaigns, and public expectations about where they should stand on issues.
From boycotts and artist bans to social media storms and subsidy withdrawals, the season has highlighted how exposed live events have become in a deeply polarised world.
So how can promoters navigate the political climate? In this chapter…
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