Statement of ownership

Update May 22:

Together with our fellow festivals, we have expressed our dissatisfaction about KKR to Superstruct. This has led to the following commitment:
All profits from straf_werk, and other festivals within Superstruct, will not flow to our investors, including KKR. Instead, all profits will be used to support the development of these festivals. We are working on the practical implementation of this commitment.

Update May 19:

At straf_werk, we value our relations between artists, visitors and partners. We’ve always stood for more than just music, we’re a space to connect through sound. A place to discover and explore new music and artists. A platform for emerging talent, connecting them with you and with each other.

Unfortunately, we have unintentionally become entangled in something that contradicts our core beliefs.

straf_werk became part of Superstruct Entertainment, with the intention of enhancing the quality of our festival and ensuring a sustainable future for our event and the visitors we serve. From the beginning, Superstruct has guaranteed that we maintain full independence when it comes to programming, artist selection, marketing, and most importantly our values.

In October 2024, a change in ownership took place at Superstruct when its former parent company sold its stake to a new investor: KKR. We had no influence in this transaction and were only informed once it was finalized. Since then, information has come to light about unethical investments, activities that are fundamentally opposed to the principles we stand for.

We recognize the ruling by the International Court of Justice, which found that Israel is plausibly committing genocide in Gaza and upholds systems of apartheid and occupation against the Palestinian people.

While we have no control over the business decisions or financial partnerships made at higher levels of ownership.

We want to state this clearly: no ownership structure will ever define who we are or what we stand for. Our direction will always be shaped by our values.

We, as straf_werk, will continue to use our platform to support and amplify organizations, initiatives, and causes that align with our values, while uplifting our artists, partners, and visitors that shape our events. No investor or corporate parent will ever define what straf_werk represents.

This is an ongoing dialogue, and we’re deeply grateful to everyone who has reached out, questioned, and stood with us during this time. We thank u for speaking up and raising your concerns.

Since the beginning of straf_werk, we have carefully curated our lineups and collaborated with partners according to our own ethical standards. We remain committed to doing so as we build towards our next events.

Team straf_werk