Kneecap’s Controversial Comments Lead to Cancellation of Their Performance at Eden Sessions in Cornwall this Summer

Irish rap group Kneecap has been dropped from the Eden Sessions, a popular summer music festival in Cornwall, after making controversial comments during a performance.

The group’s planned appearance on July 4th at the Eden Project has now been canceled, following a public backlash sparked by their remarks telling the crowd to “kill your local MP.”

Festival Cancels Kneecap’s Performance Amid Backlash

Eden Sessions, which will also feature big names like Gary Barlow, The Script, and Madness, made the decision to cancel Kneecap’s show after a video surfaced from one of their performances.

In the footage, a band member can be heard saying, “The only good Tory is a dead Tory” and urging the audience to “kill your local MP.”

The festival organizers announced the cancellation on X, stating that ticket holders will be contacted and refunded, with the process beginning on April 30, 2025.

The Controversial Remarks That Sparked Outrage

This latest incident follows a previous outburst in November 2023 at the Electric Ballroom in London, where Kneecap performed.

In the video, the group made inflammatory comments about the British government and the Tory party, calling for violence against MPs.

The comments, which were made during a performance by the Northern Irish trio, have since drawn widespread criticism, with many calling for the band to be removed from other festivals, including their upcoming slot at Glastonbury.

Apologies and Backlash: Kneecap Defends Themselves

In response to the growing outrage, Kneecap issued a “heartfelt apology” to the families of murdered politicians Sir David Amess and Jo Cox.

However, they also claimed they were victims of a “smear campaign” and that their words had been taken out of context.

The group stated that “establishment figures” had deliberately twisted their comments and misrepresented their intentions.

Despite the apology, calls for the band to be dropped from other events have grown.

The Home Office has urged festivals like Glastonbury to reconsider hosting Kneecap, with some officials suggesting that streaming platforms, such as Spotify, should remove their back catalog as well.

Calls for Action from Political Figures

The controversy surrounding Kneecap has not gone unnoticed by political figures.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer rejected the band’s comments, labeling their apology as “half-hearted” and reiterating the government’s firm stance against such rhetoric.

Meanwhile, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called for the group to be banned from Glastonbury, stating that no one promoting violence against politicians should be given a platform at such a high-profile event.

Badenoch also criticized the funding given to Kneecap after she blocked a £14,250 grant to the group during her time as business secretary.

While the UK government later conceded the decision to withhold the funds was unlawful, Badenoch described the situation as “extraordinary,” highlighting her belief that the group’s actions should be met with stronger consequences.

The Future of Kneecap’s Performances

As Kneecap faces increasing scrutiny, it remains unclear what the future holds for the controversial rap trio.

While they continue to deny any malicious intent, the backlash over their inflammatory comments has sparked a wider conversation about the responsibility of performers and the boundaries of free speech in the music industry.

The cancellation of their appearance at the Eden Sessions serves as a strong reminder of the power of public opinion in shaping the careers of even the most established artists.