Istiqomatul Hayati, Jakarta – Several bands have pulled out of Pestapora 2025 after learning that PT Freeport Indonesia was featured as a sponsor on the festival's opening day, Friday, September 5, 2025.
The groups and musicians that withdrew include Sukatani,.Feast, Hindia, The Jeblogs, Negatifa, Leipzig, Kelelawar Malam, Rebellion Rose, Rekah, Xin Lie, Ornament, Swellow, Rrag, and Centra. Their announcements came almost simultaneously through official social media accounts.
Bands' statements of withdrawal
Sukatani delivered a short message to fans: "We have decided not to perform at Pestapora 2025. See you at another opportunity. Thank you."
The Jeblogs made a similarly brief statement: "We have decided to withdraw from Pestapora."
Kelelawar Malam posted an image with the words "Pestapora Cancel" along with a strong caption: "WE WITHDRAW FROM PESTAPORA! Accelerate solidarity for the people of Papua; may this company leave your land soon."
Rebellion Rose, a punk rock band from Yogyakarta, took a different approach. Although they declined to perform as scheduled, they still appeared on stage to acknowledge ticket holders.
We will still take the stage to honor our friends who are already in front of our arena. On stage, we will share stories and deliver orations to build collective awareness of the stance we have taken," they explained.
The band also pledged to return 100 percent of their performance fees and travel expenses. After stepping down, they joined the crowd for an acoustic sing-along as a gesture of appreciation to their audience.
Pestapora ends collaboration with Freeport
The backlash prompted Pestapora organizers to end their partnership with PT Freeport Indonesia. In a statement released on Saturday, September 6, 2025, the festival wrote:
"As of today, Pestapora has terminated cooperation with PT Freeport Indonesia. We ensure that for the second and third days of the festival, September 6 and 7, 2025, we are no longer bound or affiliated with PT Freeport Indonesia. Thank you, Pestapora."
Freeport's presence was visible only on the festival's first day, when a company procession unexpectedly appeared carrying a banner that read, "Copper joins the Pestapora," accompanied by a marching band. The moment took both performers and attendees by surprise and sparked immediate reactions.