Bands Boycott Victorious Festival in Mass Protest Over Palestinian Flag Incident and Alleged Censorship

Portsmouth’s Victorious festival is facing significant fallout after multiple bands withdrew from the event in protest, following an incident where Irish folk band The Mary Wallopers claims their set was cut short for displaying a Palestinian flag. The controversy has ignited a debate about artistic freedom and political expression at music festivals.

The Confrontation at Victorious Festival

The incident unfolded on Friday, August 22, 2025, during The Mary Wallopers’ performance. According to the band, their set was abruptly cut off after a stage crew member removed a Palestinian flag from the stage and the band continued to chant “Free Palestine.” The Mary Wallopers released video footage that they claim shows festival staff interfering with their performance and silencing their sound system. They vehemently rejected the festival’s initial statement, which suggested the sound was cut due to a “discriminatory” chant, calling the festival’s account “misleading.”

“Our video clearly shows a Victorious crew member coming on stage, interfering with our show, removing the flag from the stage and then the sound being cut following a chant of ‘Free Palestine’,” the band stated on social media. They added that they had been displaying Palestinian flags at their performances for six years without prior issues, emphasizing the urgency for artists to use their platforms during times of crisis, referencing the declared famine in Gaza.

Organizers’ Evolving Stance and Apology

Victorious Festival organizers initially stated that they had spoken to the band about their long-standing policy of not allowing flags of any kind at the event. They also claimed the decision to cut the sound was made after the band used a chant considered to have a “discriminatory context.” However, facing mounting criticism and the band’s counter-narrative supported by video evidence, the festival organizers issued a subsequent apology.

In their revised statement, Victorious Festival acknowledged that the sound for The Mary Wallopers’ audience was cut as shown in the band’s video. They admitted to not handling the explanation of their policies sensitively or with sufficient advance notice. The organizers apologized for the situation and pledged to make “a substantial donation to humanitarian relief efforts for the Palestinian people.”

Wave of Boycotts and Solidarity

The handling of the incident prompted immediate solidarity from several other performing acts. On Saturday, August 23, 2025, acclaimed British band The Last Dinner Party announced their withdrawal from the festival. In a strong statement shared on Instagram, they declared they were “outraged by the decision made to silence The Mary Wallopers” and stated, “As a band, we cannot co-sign political censorship and will therefore be boycotting the festival today.”

Joining them, Irish bands Cliffords and The Academic also pulled out. Cliffords stated they “refuse to play if we are to be censored for showing our support to the people of Palestine.” The Academic cited concerns about “a festival that silences free speech and the right to express your views,” announcing they “can’t in good conscience stand up and play.”

Broader Implications and Ongoing Debate

The mass boycott has placed Victorious Festival at the center of a national conversation about artistic freedom, censorship, and the line between political expression and event management. Critics argue that the festival’s actions amounted to political censorship, silencing artists’ legitimate expressions of solidarity. The boycotting bands also encouraged their fans to donate to humanitarian causes for Palestinians, reinforcing their stance beyond mere protest.

This music event underscores the growing tension between established festival policies and artists’ desire to engage with pressing social and political issues, particularly concerning the conflict in Palestine. The incident at Victorious Festival serves as a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding free speech and activism within the live music industry.