Arca and Rone x (LA)HORDE cancel Sónar show over ties to pro-Israeli fund KKR

Sónar Festival confirmed Tuesday night that six more artists had canceled their performances, adding to the 28 acts that had already withdrawn.

Among the latest cancellations are two of the festival’s most high-profile names: Venezuelan experimental musician Arca and French electronic producer Rone, who was scheduled to perform with (LA)HORDE and the National Ballet of Marseille.

Other newly withdrawn acts include Asia, 15 15, Paquita Gordon, and Shaun J. Wright.

The growing boycott follows revelations about financial ties between the festival’s parent company and a pro-Israeli investment fund.

The controversy erupted after it was revealed that KKR holds shares in Superstruct Entertainment, the company that owns Sónar.

KKR has financial ties with various Israeli companies, leading activist groups, including those aligned with the BDS movement, to argue that KKR's investments extend to companies that directly or indirectly support the Israeli military. KKR is also a major shareholder in firms that ultimately market real estate Israel's settlements on Palestinian territory that Amesty International describes as "illegal". 

These financial links have sparked a protest movement among artists, leading to a cascade of cancellations.

In response, Sónar has publicly distanced itself from KKR, stating that it has no direct relationship with the fund.

Organizers also claim that "not a single euro" of the festival's revenue goes to KKR, emphasizing that all profits are reinvested in future Sónar festivals.

The festival says they condemn the "genocide of the Palestinian people" and that their position "is clear and unequivocal."

Organizers are currently working to replace the canceled acts, most of whom were part of Sónar by Day and relatively unknown on the international stage.

However, the withdrawal of major names, such as Arca and Rone, suggests that the boycott could continue to grow.

Other artists who have dropped out include EYRA, Oma Totem, DJ Paca, Tiyumii, Dania + Mau Morgó, DJ Sport, Emma DJ, Forensis and Bill Kouligas, DJ G2G, Heith, James K., and Günseli Yalcinkaya and Andrea Belosi.

The festival is scheduled to take place from June 12 to 14 at Fira Barcelona.

Note: a previous version of this article erroneously referred to KKR as an "Israeli company." KKR is a US company, based in New York, and its website does not list any office in Israel.