Gruff Rhys pulls out of SXSW in protest to “the hyper violence inflicted on civilians in Gaza and beyond”

Tributes have been paid to one of the British aid workers killed in the Israeli air strike in Gaza. James Kirby was among seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers killed in strikes by the Israel Defense Forces on Monday.

Anna Tingley If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. A total solar eclipse is coming to the U.S, the first time since 2017 and the last time until 2044.

Less than a week ago, the UK’s popular art venue the Home Theatre in Manchester was sharing on social media that it would be “celebrating Palestinian voices” at an event called Voices of Resilience in April.

Olly Alexander and a number of other performers have released a joint statement about their participation in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest after calls to boycott the competition in solidarity with Palestine.Yesterday (March 28) hundreds of queer artists, individuals and organisations called on Alexander to pull out of the competition this year, after its refusal to expel Israel.Now, Alexander, alongside Ireland’s Bambie Thug, Norway’s Gåte, Portugal’s Iolanda, San Marino’s Megara, Switzerland’s Nemo, Denmark’s SABA, Lithuania’s Silvester Belt and Finland’s Windows95Man, have signed a letter outlining their response.“We want to begin by acknowledging the privilege of taking part in Eurovision,” it begins.pic.twitter.com/VBNQWwPe46— olly alexander (@alexander_olly) March 29, 2024“In light of the current situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories, and particularly in Gaza, and in Israel, we do not feel comfortable being silent. It is important to us to stand in solidarity with the oppressed and communicate our heartfelt wish for peace, an immediate and lasting ceasefire, and the safe return of all hostages.

Alex Ritman A number of major names from the U.K. film and TV world and beyond have donated items — and their own time — to an auction raising money for Gaza.

Kneecap have shared new single ‘Fine Art’, as well as talking to NME about recent controversies and what to expect from their debut album.The Belfast rap trio have been making headlines recently after leading the Irish bands boycotting SXSW, in solidarity with Palestine and protest against the showcase festival’s sponsorship from the US military and weapons manufacturers. They’re currently in the midst of a North American tour, after making waves with their debut US TV performance with Jimmy Fallon.Now, ahead of the summer’s release of their self-titled movie starring Michael Fassbender, and long-awaited Toddla T-produced debut album ‘Fine Art’, the band have shared the record’s title track.

NewDad have shared a stripped-down cover version of The Smashing Pumpkins’ ‘1979’ – check out the video below. The Irish band posted the footage on their Instagram account, with the caption: “1979 cover live from Texas”. The four-piece travelled to the state to play South By Southwest Festival in Austin earlier this month, but they were one of the bands that withdrew from the festival – in the end, every Irish artist on the bill refused to play.

“Sex and the City” sequel series “And Just Like That” has lost a key star.Karen Pittman — who played professor Nya Wallace in the controversial HBO Max revival — has decided not to return for season three.The Mississippi native has left the comedy series due to scheduling conflicts. Max announced the news on Friday, saying in a statement to Deadline that it was a “joy” to work with Pittman, 37.“As we have thoroughly enjoyed working with this dynamic actress, so too have others.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer “We Were Dangerous” is a surprisingly funny film for a movie that’s central conflict is the sterilization of a group of young women on the fringes of society in 1950s New Zealand. Knowing the project, which debuted at SXSW in Austin March 8, is executive-produced by from Taika Waititi and Carthew Neal’s Piki Films certainly informs how the film approaches its troubling topic — much like the production company’s Holocaust-set “Jojo Rabbit” — with such levity, the majority of the credit for the heartfelt tone goes to a trio of women: writer Maddie Dai, director Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu and producer Morgan Waru.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Belgian filmmaker Sofie Benoot‘s “Apple Cider Vinegar,” which has its world premiere in the International Competition section of Visions du Réel, has been picked up for world sales by Filmotor. The trailer and poster are being released exclusively by Variety. The film is narrated by actor Sian Phillips, who appeared in “I, Claudius” and David Lynch’s “Dune,” and is a veteran nature documentary narrator.

An aid worker has revealed the horror being suffered by children and families on the frontline of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Brian Eno, Nadine Shah and Maxine Peake will be among the performers at a special benefit event in support of Palestine at London’s Union Chapel on April 18. The show, which is titled Sumud and promises “a fundraising evening of music, spoken word and film for Palestine”, will be hosted by Amos Trust and Palestine Music Expo, and tickets are available here. All proceeds will go to Amos Trust’s emergency appeal for Gaza.

Cardinals, Chalk, Enola Gay, Gurriers and NewDad, gathered at downtown Austin’s Velveeta Room to show solidarity with Palestine amid the ongoing war in Gaza. This came after it was revealed last week that the US Army was a “super sponsor” of the music, film, culture and tech festival as well as defence contractor RTX (Raytheon), which has supplied weapons to Israel.The venue was previously set to host the Music For Ireland showcase, while as per a report from Nialler9, Belfast’s Enola Gay were booked to play a separate, UK-led event via PRS funding.

SXSW showcase have now pulled out of the festival in solidarity with Palestine.Kneecap, Sprints, Soda Blonde, Gavin James, Robert Grace, Mick Flannery, Chalk, Gurriers, Cardinals and NewDad all pulled out from the annual music, culture and arts showcase which takes place in Austin, Texas. This came after it was revealed that the US Army was a “super sponsor” of the event as well as defence contractor RTX Corporation, which has supplied weapons to Israel.Northern Irish-funded artists Enola Gay and Conchur also pulled out, joining the likes of their fellow Irish peers.UK funding channels (PRS Funded) booked the Northern Irish artists and were set to play various UK-led events that were different from the Music From Ireland showcases.

NewDad, Cardinals, Enola Gay and Rachel Chinouriri have become the latest artists to boycott this year’s SXSW festival.The artists join the likes of Kneecap, Sprints, Lambrini Girls, Scowl, Gel, Okay Shalom and Squirrelflower in pulling out of performing at the festival due to the event’s association with the US army and weapons companies amid the Israel-Gaza conflict.The annual music, culture and arts showcase takes place in Austin, Texas from March 12-14.In a joint post on social media, Cardinals, Enola Gay, Gurriers, NewDad and Sprints wrote:“To be clear, we, as ‘Music From Ireland’ bands will be partaking in any official SXSW shows. We stand in complete solidarity with Palestine and others who have spoke out against, and boycotted SXSW.“Sponsorship of the festival from the US army as well as defence contractors/those sending arms to destroy innocent lives is an act we find disgusting and reprehensible.

SXSW have issued a statement, following news that a hit and run left one dead and another injured in downtown Austin.The incident took place in the Texas city earlier this morning (Tuesday, March 12). According to local police (via Fox 7 Austin), it was just after 1am when two pedestrians were walking at the intersection of 7th Street and Red River when they were hit by a vehicle.One of those hit died at the scene, while the other currently remains in hospital with critical, life-threatening injuries.

Alex Ritman Belfast hip-hop trio Kneecap has canceled several shows they were due to perform at the SXSW festival to support their wild comedy biopic “Kneecap” in “in solidarity with the people of Gaza.” In a statement posted on its social media channels, the group — who go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí and star as themselves in the film — said that the decision was made due to “highlight the unacceptable deep links the festival has to weapons companies and the US military who at this very moment are enabling a genocide and famine against a trapped population.”We will not be appearing at @sxsw festival.

Eurovision 2024 song lyrics after initially sparking controversy.The country received widespread criticism with their entry this year formerly titled ‘October Rain’. Sung by 20-year-old Eden Golan, the track appeared to contain references to the victims of Hamas’ October 7 attacks.

Kneecap and Sprints are the latest artists to announce their withdrawal from this year’s South By Southwest Festival in solidarity with Palestine.The Irish artists join the likes of Lambrini Girls, Scowl, Gel, Okay Shalom and Squirrelflower in pulling out of performing at the festival due to the event’s association with the US army and weapons companies amid the Israel-Palestine conflict.The annual music, culture and arts showcase takes place in Austin, Texas from March 12-14.Belfast hip-hop trio Kneecap shared in a statement yesterday (March 10) that their decision to not perform was made “in solidarity with the people of Palestine”.They also highlighted the “unacceptable deep links” the festival had to the US army – which is a “super sponsor” of the event – and defence contractor RTX Corporation, which has supplied weapons to Israel.The group added that the US military and other platformed weapons companies who are “at this very moment are enabling a genocide and famine against a trapped population”.The band continued that their decision would have a “significant financial impact” on them, but that it wasn’t “an iota of hardship when compared with the unimaginable suffering being inflicted every minute of every day on the people of Gaza”.A post shared by KNEECAP (@kneecap32)Kneecap also cited the platforming of collins Aerospace and BAE Systems as a reason for their boycott, adding that collectively with RTX, the companies were selling the weapons that have “murdered 31,000 Palestinians, over 21,000 of them women and children”.Sprints made their own statement this morning (March 11) in which they announced their withdrawal, writing: “In solidarity with the Palestinian people and as a stand against the US Army

Ceasefire pins among Oscar guests and nominees were numerous on this afternoon’s red carpet with Poor Things actor Ramy Youssef and Barbie “What Was I Made For?” songwriting team Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell donning them.