Boiler Room releases statement addressing its Israel-linked ownership following growing boycott
"We are also unable to divest because we have no say in our ownership," the statement reads.
Growing calls to boycott Boiler Room after its purchase by the KKR Investment-owned Superstruct Entertainment have resulted in the broadcaster/promoter releasing a statement addressing this new ownership after two months of silence on the matter.
Superstruct Entertainment, Boiler Room's new owner, is responsible for a slew of international festivals including Sziget, Brunch Electronik, Flow, Awakenings and many more. In June of 2024, Superstruct was purchased by KKR Investments, a multi-national investment firm.
Read: Boiler Room bought by company linked to US Defence contractor
KKR has many investments, but the ones most notable to dance fans, artists and the Pro-Palestine movement include alleged investments in: Axel Springer, a German media company that has reportedly advertised Israel’s illegal settlements in the West Bank; Real estate software company Guesty, an Israeli property management software said to rent properties on occupied Palestinian land; Circor International, which it bought in September of 2023 for USD $1.6 billion, and Australian-based defence and technology company Advanced Navigation, which it invested AUD $108 million in September 2022.
A post shared by Toronto Writers Against the War on Gaza (@wawog_to)
Boiler Room's new ownership has seen a global backlash, including calls for its boycott, protests outside its events, artists & partners withdrawing from its lineups, and a Palestinian charity withdrawing from a recently announced piece of fundraising-oriented merchandise.
Read: Palestinian charity withdraws from Boiler Room merch fundraiser
Now, two months after its sale, Boiler Room's statement addresses its new owners KKR, and seeks to distance itself from their politics while stopping short of condemning it.
In their statement, posted today but "a version of this statement" first published on BR's website on March 14, Boiler Room shared details of their new ownership & the ability of their own staff to protest or have sway in the decision to involve Superstruct and KKR.
In it, they said that due to DICE owning 100% of Boiler Room, "no Boiler Room staff at any level held any ownership or voting rights in the company and had no control over the sale. We are also unable to divest because we have no say in our ownership."
The statement goes on to share details of Boiler Room's support of Palestine, including its adherence to BDS and PACBI guidelines. "We uphold international law and human rights for all, regardless of identity," the statement reads. On Boiler Room's website, "we will always remain unapologetically pro-Palestine" hyperlinks to 'Palestine Underground', a 28-minute documentary that Boiler Room released over 6 years ago.
Originally, in announcing their purchase, Boiler Room founder Blaise Belleville shared: "As we turn 15 and enter our next stage of growth, we're excited to be partnering with Superstruct for this chapter. We feel in good company with their roster of brands, they offer us new opportunities to grow, whilst understanding the importance of staying true to the authenticity that, at its core, is what makes Boiler Room special."
While at the time of writing this article the post is only over an hour old, the comment section has been active with many calling to continue the boycott of the brand. "At the same time, money that goes to boiler room, goes into the pockets of KKR so boycott is still on the table," one comment reads. "This statement doesn’t change the FACT that boiler room is now linked to an organisation that invests in genocide," another begins.
Mixmag ANZ will continue to report on this situation as it develops.
