Superstruct Entertainment has launched its Artistic Code covering the UK-founded company’s 80-plus festival and live event brands around the world.
The new code brings together the principles that guide Superstruct’s artistic programming across its portfolio of events, including Mighty Hoopla, Victorious, Kendal Calling, Tramlines, Truck Festival, Field Day, Cross The Tracks, Wacken Open Air, Lost Village, Flow, Defqon.1, Sónar, Zwarte Cross and Boardmasters.
First unveiled at the International Festival Forum in London, the Artistic Code is described as a “demonstration of Superstruct’s longstanding support for artistic freedom and the creative independence of its festivals”.
The launch of the Artistic Code seeks to reassure artists that Superstruct festivals and events provide a protected “space for expression”.
“Superstruct believes festivals should be places where artists can challenge, provoke and express different points of view,” said a statement. “Live events are spontaneous by nature. The Artistic Code protects that space for expression while giving artists and festival teams a shared approach from booking through to show day.”
The move by the festival operator follows a boycott of its events by some artists over connections to private equity firm KKR and its ties to Israel. KKR acquired Superstruct for a reported €1.3 billion in 2024.
Superstruct stressed that its approach is “built on creative independence”. The group partners with founders and local teams to help festivals grow while retaining their identities – but that ambition has conflicted with the ownership change at the company.
Following a campaign by artists that was supported by Massive Attack, Brian Eno and hundreds more, Field Day organisers acknowledged the financial backing of KKR for Superstruct but stressed that it “had no say in” that acquisition. Mighty Hoopla also distanced itself from that financial arrangement.
At the time of the emerging boycott for its events, Superstruct Entertainment issued a statement: “Investment provides the entire music industry, not just festivals, with the support needed to achieve the highest standards and best experience that fans and artists rightly expect.
“Our shareholders support this mission, are fully aligned with our values and want to help develop our industry. Without their support we would not be able to provide such a diverse portfolio of festivals.
“Superstruct is independently run, making its own decisions based on what is in the best interests of our fans, artists and colleagues.”
Festivals are places for artists to express themselves, challenge ideas and bring different points of view to audiences
Rebecca Kane Burton
Today’s launch of the Artistic Code identifies four principles: protecting artistic freedom within the law; creating safe and welcoming spaces; ensuring programming and partnerships reflect Superstruct’s values; and promoting inclusivity and fairness.
“In practice, this means no censorship of artists simply because their views are controversial, zero tolerance for discrimination or behaviour that puts people at risk, and no alignment with campaigns of incitement or movements motivated by intolerance,” said a statement. “Drawing on decades of experience across different festivals, countries and cultures, the Code translates these principles into practical guidance across booking, contracting and live performance. It makes clear that Superstruct does not operate banned lists and that performances should only be interrupted where there is a safety reason to do so, while respecting the identity and creative independence of every festival in its portfolio.”
Superstruct Entertainment said it does not prohibit political flags within an artist's performance, except where a flag or symbol is illegal in that particular market.
The full code is available here.
Rebecca Kane Burton, chief operating officer at Superstruct Entertainment, said: “Artistic freedom sits at the heart of our festivals. They are places for artists to express themselves, challenge ideas and bring different points of view to audiences.
“We believe strongly in backing that freedom. The Artistic Code makes our position clear and gives artists and our festival teams shared principles to work from, with creative independence at the heart of them.
“We’re making it public because we want to share what we’ve learned and contribute positively to the wider industry conversation.”
The company said the Artistic Code will evolve alongside Superstruct’s festivals and the wider cultural landscape, informed by experience and continued discussion across the industry.
PHOTO: Boardmasters 2026 (credit: Mark Campbell)
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