Massive Attack criticised Manchester’s Co-op Live last night (June 5) moments before their gig at the arena, due to the venue’s recent partnership with Barclays.
The band – known for their strong activism – posted on Instagram just hours before going on stage, lamenting the sponsorship by claiming that it contradicts Co-op Live and Manchester’s progressive views.
Just last month it was announced that Barclays became a Founding Partner of Co-op Live – many weeks after Massive Attack had already agreed to play the venue.
Posting on Instagram, the trip-hop duo said: “15 days ago, without any advance warning or notification, the arena ownership announced a new corporate sponsorship with Barclays: a commercial identity synonymous with the large-scale financing of new fossil fuel extraction, and billions of dollars of investments in arms companies that supply Israel in its genocidal onslaught of Gaza.”
Massive Attack have been known for their strong environmental views, as well as their committed support of Palestine. The band have boycotted performing in Israel since 1999, and just last year hosted the largest-scale ‘decarbonised’ gig in UK history.
Continuing in their criticism of Co-op Live, they said: “At a time when the world works to tackle climate emergency, and watched on in despair and horror at the scenes of civilian slaughter in Gaza, we’re stunned that the arena ownership took this decision to partner with Barclays – especially in a progressive city like Manchester.”
Barclays presence in sponsoring cultural and sporting events has come under intense scrutiny recently. Last year, it was confirmed that 125 artists – including Kneecap, Lambrini Girls and Wunderhorse – dropped out of specific festivals that the bank was working with. This led to Barclays dropping their sponsorship for Latitude, Download and Isle of Wight festivals.
As Massive Attack said in their Instagram post: “”We believe Barclays has no place in any of our cultural or sporting arenas and only learned (with disbelief) of the arena partnership via a local media story.”
Despite what transpired, the trip-hop icons were determined for the show to go on. They confirmed they had reached an agreement with the venue, stating: “As a band, we do not want to disappoint fans who have spent their hard-earned money on tickets and are looking forward to the show.
“Co-op Live ownership have agreed to our insistence that all physical and digital Barclays livery and logos be completely removed from both the arena itself and our show page on the arena website, and that no show tickets – for sale or complimentary – will be given to Barclays.”
They signed off the message with: “See you tonight Manchester, In love and rage, MASSIVE ATTACK”.
Massive Attack’s next gig comes tonight (June 6) at the LIDO Festival. They will continue their work with ‘ACT 1.5’ in an effort to decarbonise live music events. It will mark the band’s first festival performance in nine years and will be a “100% battery powered” event.
