Massive Attack Condemns Barclays Sponsorship of Co-Op Live Before Manchester Show

Massive Attack speaks out against Barclays' Co-Op Live sponsorship, highlighting ethical concerns ahead of their Manchester gig.

Massive Attack Criticizes Barclays Sponsorship at Co-Op Live

British electronic pioneers Massive Attack have openly criticized the recent sponsorship deal between Barclays and Manchester’s Co-Op Live venue, just days before their scheduled performance there tonight.

The band, known for their steadfast environmental advocacy and political stances, expressed their disappointment with the venue’s new partnership with Barclays—a move they say contradicts both Co-Op Live’s progressive image and their own values.

A Commitment to Sustainability and Ethical Music Venues

Massive Attack’s dedication to sustainability is well documented. For their shows, the band has pushed initiatives like making Co-Op Live's food offerings completely plant-based, underscoring their commitment to environmental ethics.

Additionally, their long-standing support for Palestine, including participation in a cultural boycott of Israel since 1999, is a core part of their identity. This political stance makes Barclays’ sponsorship particularly concerning to the band.

Statement on Barclays’ Corporate Ethics

In a recent social media statement, Massive Attack condemned Barclays as a “profoundly unethical corporate identity.” They cited Barclays' investments in arms companies supplying Israel in its "genocidal onslaught of Gaza and war crimes in the West Bank," as well as the bank's “large-scale financing of new fossil fuel extraction.”

The band also revealed that when they initially booked their Co-Op Live gig in January, Barclays was not involved with the venue.

“We’re so happy to be back in Manchester and to be playing in this city tonight,” the band said.

“We confirmed this show at Co-Op Live arena back in January, not least because of the venue’s strong sustainability credentials and ethical sponsorship. Fifteen 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 and war crimes in the West Bank.”

“Objectively, Barclays is a profoundly unethical corporate identity. 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.”

— Massive Attack

A Compromise to Honor Fans

Despite their objections, Massive Attack disclosed that they negotiated with Co-Op Live’s ownership to proceed with the show to avoid disappointing fans who purchased tickets in good faith. They insisted on the removal of all Barclays branding from the venue and the show’s online presence.

Furthermore, Barclays will not receive any complimentary or for-sale tickets for the performance.

“At a time when the world works to tackle climate emergency and watches 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—and then attempted to retroactively apply that sponsorship to artists who would have been deeply uneasy or refused to align their performances with a venue with Barclays as partner. See you tonight Manchester. In love and rage, MASSIVE ATTACK.”

Barclays’ Controversial Role in Music Sponsorship

Barclays also recently became the Principal Partner of The O2 arena in London. This move has stirred controversy due to the bank’s connections with arms manufacturers allegedly supplying weapons to Israel. Several major music festivals that Barclays sponsored, such as The Great Escape, Latitude, Download, and Isle Of Wight, faced boycotts from artists and fans alike.

In October, following a mass withdrawal of artists—including over 125 acts last year, a boycott Massive Attack supported—Barclays ceased its sponsorship of The Great Escape and other events, drawing praise from notable musicians like Tom Morello and Enter Shikari.

Massive Attack’s Climate Action Leadership

Robert Del Naja, Massive Attack’s frontman, recently participated in the Act 1.5 “climate action accelerator” event in Liverpool, showcasing the band’s determination to push sustainable practices in live music. The event marked the launch of an eight-year plan focused on rapid decarbonization across live music, film, and TV production.

Del Naja discussed the need for cross-sector collaboration, saying:

“Sometimes you need something like this that comes from the outside and says, ‘Hold up, why can’t you guys work with you guys?’ There’s a scientist there, an energy industrialist there – why don’t you get together and go to the city and ask ‘why can’t we do it this way’? That’s what this [Act 1.5] is. It’s about breaking free from the mindset, and being able to express imagination. We need to turn the imagination of this sector into action.”

Upcoming Shows and Continued Commitment

Massive Attack will headline the LIDO Festival on June 6, continuing their collaboration with Act 1.5. Thanks to a partnership with Ecotricity, their performance will be powered entirely by battery technology, significantly cutting carbon emissions and reducing local pollution.

For fans interested in attending, remaining tickets are available here.

Conclusion

Massive Attack’s bold stance against Barclays’ sponsorship at Co-Op Live highlights the growing demand for ethical partnerships in the music industry. It raises a vital question: Should music venues and artists take a firmer stand against corporate sponsors whose values clash with those of their communities and fans?

Frequently Asked Questions

• What prompted Massive Attack to speak out against Barclays at Co-Op Live?
  The band was unsettled by Barclays’ partnership with Co-Op Live due to the bank’s investments in fossil fuels and arms companies linked to conflict zones, which contradicts both the venue’s and the band’s ethical values.
• How did Massive Attack respond to the sponsorship issue while respecting their fans?
  They negotiated with Co-Op Live to remove all Barclays branding from the venue and show pages and ensured no tickets were allocated to Barclays, allowing the concert to proceed without disappointing fans.
• What is Act 1.5 and how is Massive Attack involved?
  Act 1.5 is a climate action initiative focused on decarbonizing live music, film, and TV production. Massive Attack is actively participating by integrating sustainable practices in their events.
• Why is Barclays a controversial sponsor in the music industry?
  Barclays funds arms companies and fossil fuel extraction, and its sponsorship has led to artist boycotts at several major festivals due to ethical concerns.
• What sustainable steps is Massive Attack taking for their upcoming shows?
  They are powering their LIDO Festival set entirely with battery power through a partnership with Ecotricity to minimize carbon emissions and pollution.

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