In an Australian first, Earth Frequency requires artists sign ethical pledges against human rights abuses

Earth Frequency, a South East Queensland festival held on Jinibara Land and having run for over twenty years, is the first in the country to implement an "ethical artist policy".

This commitment requires artists to pledge their support for a series of statements in support of First Nations sovereignty and against racism and prejudice in all its various forms and affirms Earth Frequency's right to deny artists and entities complicit in war crimes or human rights abuses.

This commitment includes:

1. We recognise the Sovereign First Nations Community, whose history should be remembered and heard, and whose voices must be respected, elevated and considered in all respects when we walk on Country, care for Country and one another. We acknowledge that sovereignty was never ceded.

2. We stand for fairness, inclusion, and equality, and we oppose all forms of racism and oppression — including antisemitism, Islamophobia, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, ableism, and other forms of hate.

3. We support Earth Frequency’s ethical stance of not aligning with any serious human rights abuses, and by participating in this festival we understand our responsibility to uphold these values.

4. Artists have always helped shape a better world and many artists have chosen to take a peaceful, principled stand. This is an ethical and moral stance that contributes to a more just and compassionate society for everyone.

Paul Abad, Earth Frequency's Festival Director, shared in a statement that, "as organisers, we understand that the people we platform - whether on stage, behind the scenes, or in collaborative roles - reflect who we are and what we stand for. Platforming is not a neutral act; it signals alignment, even tacitly. Just like the global boycott of apartheid South Africa — festivals today have a choice: to be remembered for standing with justice, or for helping normalise atrocity.”

Subhi Awad from Northern Rivers Friends of Palestine, an advocacy group for human rights in Palestine & Israel, which was consulted for the policy, shared that "this is not about censorship. Artists who cannot meet the most basic ethical standards will exclude themselves — and that's exactly how it should be.”

Juman, a Palestinian, Turkish, and Australian singer and producer set to perform at this year's festival, shared their vocal support for the commitment. "Artists and audiences don't want to dance under the banner of genocide,” they said. “Earth Frequency gets that — and they've raised the ethical bar for festivals and cultural events in this country.”

This policy has already had an impact on this year's event, with Israeli psytrance duo Infected Mushroom announcing last week that they were pulling out. In a public statement, the duo shared:

“Unfortunately, Earth Frequency Festival chose to bring politics into a dance festival environment influenced by political agenda and driven by social media vitriol, hate and racial division that ultimately has divided the community and some of our fans. The core values of any music event should not involve politics. It should be a place to celebrate life, friendships and community through music. And ultimately, just have fun.”

However, considering reactions towards Spotify CEO Daniel Ek's recent $1 billion AUD investment in military technology, growing boycotts against KKR-associated brands like Boiler Room and, on a local level, the widespread criticism and boycott of Vivid Sydney over its Airbnb partnership, arguably politics has never been more relevant on the dance floor.

With Northern Rivers Friends of Palestine having started a petition for other festivals to follow Earth Frequency's lead on this commitment, there may well be more momentum on this still to come.

Earth Frequency runs from Friday, October 24 to Monday, October 27 this year. Tickets are available via their website.

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Jack Colquhoun is Mixmag ANZ's Managing Editor, find him on Instagram.