Joanne McNally pulls a u-turn on Latitude festival saying the 'situation has changed'

After sensationally pulling out of the Latitude festival Joanne McNally has now added her name back to the lineup.

The Irish funny woman initially boycotted the festival in protest of the sponsor Barclays who allegedly has increased its financing of companies involved in supplying arms to Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

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Joanne and around a hundred other artists including Dublin band The Pillow Queens and singer CMAT backed out of festivals by promoters Live Nation over the summer including Download and Isle of Wight.

Pic: Joanne McNally / Instagram

Joanne's change of heart comes after Barclays made the decision to step back from its sponsorship of the festivals.

A spokesperson for Live Nation confirmed the news telling the BBC: 'Following discussion with the artists, we have agreed with Barclays that they will step back from sponsorship of our festivals.'

The station reports that prior to the controversy the bank signed a five-year deal with Live Nation and this suspension is understood not to apply for the full five years.

Joanne McNally confirms she will play Latitude. Pic: Joanne McNally Instagram

Joanne welcomed the news and posted about her return to the festival saying: 'The Latitudefest situation has changed, Barclays are no longer a sponsor so I'm back closing the comedy stage on the Sunday stage... can't wait.'

She previously announced that she was backing out of the festival saying: 'I’m getting messages today about me performing at Latitude when it’s being sponsored by Barclays. I’m no longer doing Latitude.

'I was due to close the comedy tent on the Sunday night but I pulled out last week, I’m on the old artwork but I haven’t been listed on the site since I pulled out a week ago. '

Joanne McNally. Pic: Joanne McNally / Instagram

In response to the news, a spokesperson for the bank said: 'Barclays was asked and has agreed to suspend participation in the remaining Live Nation festivals in 2024.

'Barclays customers who hold tickets to these festivals are not affected and their tickets remain valid. The protestors' agenda is to have Barclays debank defence companies which is a sector we remain committed to as an essential part of keeping this country and our allies safe.'

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