Artist Ravi publicly criticized Øyafestivalen during a performance, calling claims that the event is Palestine-friendly provocative due to its ownership ties to the American investment fund KKR. The protest occurred on August 14, 2024, as the artist appeared as an unannounced guest with «Gjenfødt Kultur» wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with a boycott message. Organizers maintain that they focus on music and respect artistic freedom, while rejecting the premise of ongoing boycott campaigns.
During the event, Ravi displayed a shirt featuring the text “Boikott Øya” across his chest while on stage. According to the artist, he participated alongside friends without prior promotion or coordination with other performers on stage, maintaining that he holds no direct or indirect financial transactions with the festival. Festival director Henry Leeves confirmed he knew of the performance in advance, noting that management prioritizes and respects artistic freedom.
Did You Know? In the previous year, festival participants had to step over body bags on the way into the festival grounds while multiple artists withdrew to distance themselves from what they called unethical investments in Israel.
The underlying dispute centers on the corporate structure connecting the festival to KKR, an American investment fund that owns Superstruct, the parent company of Øya. Throughout the summer, activists maintained a boycott campaign against the festival over these financial links, while large banners with support declarations for Palestine and boycott appeals hung outside the festival area. Festival leadership has pushed back against these characterizations, pointing to an emphasis on music for the 70,000 attendees.
Corporate Ownership and Financial Links Behind Øyafestivalen Boycott
The controversy hinges on the multi-layered corporate ownership of the event. KKR owns Superstruct, which in turn owns Øya. Festival director Henry Leeves addressed the ownership structure by stating that management relates directly to Superstruct rather than distant investors. Responding to criticism regarding the festival’s stance, Leeves stated that organizers do not speak for an investor two levels removed from them.
Earlier in the summer, Leeves rejected claims made in social media and by activists as entirely incorrect when speaking to Klassekampen. He disputed allegations that Øyafestivalen operates as an Israeli company investing in the occupation and warfare in Gaza, or that festival revenues flow to Israel. Despite these denials, external pressure has persisted into the current season, marked by physical banners outside the gates and recurring artist actions.
Festival Management Position on Human Rights and Artistic Freedom
Managing director Henry Leeves emphasized that Øyafestivalen is a music festival with a long tradition of sustainable choices. According to Leeves, the organization has learned a great deal about human rights over the past year and intends to continue working on these issues moving forward. At the same time, management defends the platform it provides to performers, choosing to uphold artistic expression even when those artists use the stage to protest the festival’s ownership.
Protests this summer have not matched the scale of the previous year, when multiple acts withdrew from the lineup. However, the presence of unannounced protests like Ravi’s T-shirt demonstration demonstrates that discontent among certain artists remains active. Management’s reliance on the principle of artistic freedom ensures that differing viewpoints can still surface on festival stages.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ownership connection between Øyafestivalen and KKR?
KKR owns the company Superstruct, which in turn owns Øyafestivalen.
How did festival leadership respond to boycott claims?
Festival director Henry Leeves stated that the premise of the boycott campaign is wrong, denying that the festival is an Israeli company or that its revenues go to Israel.
What did Ravi do during his performance?
Ravi appeared as an unannounced guest artist with «Gjenfødt Kultur» wearing a T-shirt that read “Boikott Øya” on the chest.
? Do you think music festivals should be held accountable for the financial investments of their parent companies?
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