Assaults Reported at New York ‘Die-In’
The demonstration, organized by the group Boycott Room, targeted the promoter’s financial ties to the investment firm KKR, which the group alleges is linked to Israeli weapons manufacturing and West Bank settlements.
Chaos at Under The K Bridge
The confrontation unfolded at the Under The K Bridge venue during the first of two scheduled performances. Activists lay on the floor to disrupt the event and protest the venue’s ownership structure. According to a report by Mixmag, the campaign group alleged that clubbers trampled protesters while the music continued.
Boiler Room acknowledged the incident, noting they were “aware of footage” circulating online. A spokesperson confirmed the company had reviewed a clip that “appears to show an attendee acting towards a protester in a way that has no place at our events.” The organization is currently reviewing the incident with the venue and advised those who believe they were victims of a crime to contact the police.
The Superstruct Ownership Controversy
Tension traces back to the 2025 acquisition of Boiler Room by Superstruct Entertainment, a firm backed by KKR. While Boiler Room maintains that its staff holds no ownership or voting rights in the parent company—and that investors do not influence creative output—the association has triggered a wave of backlash.
Superstruct operates a portfolio of major festivals, including Field Day, Mighty Hoopla, Sónar, and Tramlines, in a deal valued at approximately $1.3 billion. This financial link has fueled organized boycotts. In 2023, an open letter signed by 50 artists—including Massive Attack and Brian Eno—urged Field Day to distance itself from the firm. Shortly after, 11 additional artists pulled out of the festival in solidarity with Palestine.
Festivals Distance From KKR
Several festivals within the Superstruct network have publicly addressed the pressure regarding their financial associations, highlighting a growing divide between the events and the investment firm:
- Tramlines: Explicitly stated they would “never send them a single Euro,” distancing the festival’s operational budget from the parent firm’s broader holdings.
- Mighty Hoopla: Issued a statement clarifying their “clear opposition to KKR’s unethical investments.”
Escalating Tensions in New York
The unrest spilled into the second night of the New York event, marked by additional demonstrations and a “counter-rave” outside the venue. Online footage also documented a separate incident where a protester gained access to the stage during a set before being removed by security. Boiler Room, Superstruct, and KKR continue to face intense scrutiny regarding these cultural and financial intersections.
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