Glastonbury Festival is gearing up for one of its biggest weekends, but controversy is brewing over one of the acts set to perform.
The Irish rap group Kneecap has come under fire after a band member was charged with a terror offence, leading to calls from top UK politicians to have them removed from the lineup.
Prime Minister and Party Leaders Call for Kneecap to Be Dropped
The Prime Minister has joined Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch in demanding that Kneecap be dropped from Glastonbury.
The criticism centers on Liam Og O hAnnaidh — known as Mo Chara — who is accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag and chanting support for Hamas and Hezbollah during a concert last November.
Speaking to The Sun, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer called it “not appropriate” for the group to perform, emphasizing that the matter is serious and that the political implications must be considered carefully given the ongoing court case.
Court Appearance and Support from Bandmates
O hAnnaidh appeared in court this week at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, greeted by hundreds of fans and supporters.
His bandmates showed solidarity, wearing “Free Mo Chara” shirts and holding up symbols of pro-Palestine support as they arrived.
Though he faces charges, the court heard that O hAnnaidh is entitled to express his opinions on the Israel-Palestine conflict.
However, the specific incident at the O2 Forum in London is considered a different matter under the law. O hAnnaidh was granted unconditional bail ahead of his next hearing in August.
Band’s Defiant Response and Message of Activism
Following the hearing, O hAnnaidh confidently invited fans to see Kneecap perform at Glastonbury and on the BBC.
The band’s spokesperson highlighted Kneecap’s international reach, with tens of thousands of fans across over 18 countries and a spotless record of complaints.
They framed the prosecution as political, accusing the UK government of trying to silence artists who speak out against oppression.
The group emphasized their commitment to freedom of expression and solidarity with global struggles.
Historical Context and Recent Controversies
This is not the first time Kneecap has clashed with UK authorities.
Last year, they won a discrimination case after a government attempt to withhold funding from them.
Their latest single, released before a recent London festival, directly mocked Conservative leader Badenoch and the party’s election defeat.
The terror charge stems from a counter-terrorism investigation into footage from last year, which also allegedly shows the group calling for violence against MPs.
Kneecap issued an apology to the families of murdered politicians but insisted that the footage has been taken out of context and exploited.
BBC’s Role and Festival Coverage
As Glastonbury approaches, the BBC, which is the official broadcast partner, has faced calls to ban Kneecap’s performance from its coverage.
The broadcaster stated that while it does not ban artists, it will ensure that all programming meets editorial standards and that decisions about what to air will be made closer to the event.
Kneecap’s Provocative Voice in Music and Politics
Since forming in 2017, Kneecap has made waves with their sharp, politically charged lyrics delivered in both Irish and English.
Songs like “Get Your Brits Out” and “Better Way To Live” have earned them a devoted following and notoriety for their confrontational style.
As the festival date nears, all eyes will be on Kneecap’s performance — and whether political pressure will change their place on the Glastonbury stage.