July 3rd 2024.
During Little Simz's set on the Pyramid Stage on Monday, a surprising sight emerged from the crowd - an inflatable migrant boat. This was not the first time it had been seen, as it had also made an appearance during Idles' set on the Other Stage on Friday. The unexpected display had caught the attention of many festival-goers, with some even managing to capture the moment on camera.
However, not everyone was impressed by the artwork. Home Secretary James Cleverly had publicly criticized the display, calling it "vile and unacceptable." He believed that it was trivializing the dangerous and often deadly crossing of migrants in the English Channel. He also accused the artist, Banksy, of glorifying criminal actions that have resulted in loss of life.
In response to Mr. Cleverly's remarks, Banksy took to Instagram to share his thoughts. He posted a photo of a real sea rescue boat that he had funded, called the MV Louise Michel. The boat had recently rescued 17 unaccompanied children from the central Mediterranean. However, as a result of its actions, it had been detained by Italian authorities, which the artist found to be truly "vile and unacceptable."
The controversy surrounding the artwork continued as Mr. Cleverly shared a video of the inflatable boat being passed around the crowd, accompanied by a critical caption. He believed that festival-goers were "cosplaying as migrants" and glorifying the actions of people smugglers, which he deemed to be inappropriate. He emphasized that regardless of political views, this was not something that should be taken lightly.
The boat had first appeared during the performance of the rock band Idles, who had no knowledge of the display until after they had finished their set. The band, also from Bristol, had performed their song Danny Nedelko, which celebrates the beauty of immigration. The boat was a clever addition to their set, as it perfectly complemented the lyrics of the song.
The inflatable boat also made its way onto the Pyramid Stage the following evening during Little Simz's set. The talented rapper had her own unique performance, but the boat was still a prominent feature of the show. It had become a symbol of the ongoing debate surrounding immigration, and its presence at the festival had sparked much discussion. Regardless of one's stance on the issue, it was clear that the artwork had made a lasting impression on all who witnessed it.
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