Kneecap’s Glastonbury stage was shut down early due to huge numbers before the band played to a raucous crowd and made a number of shocking statements
Glastonbury: Kneecap lead crowd in anti-Keir Starmer chanting
Kneecap’s Glastonbury set didn’t fail to disappoint after a build-up swamped with controversy. The Irish rap trio took to the West Holts stage on Saturday afternoon and such was the expectation, festival bosses had to shut down the area and turn fans away.
It comes after calls came to remove the musicians from their set. However, while they remained, the BBC decided against live streaming the set, much to the disappointment of fans at home.
Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who uses the stage name Mo Chara, was charged in May over the alleged display of a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London last November.
The band continue to strongly deny the charges brought against the star. They previously released a statement to insist they will “vehemently defend” themselves against what they claimed was “political policing”.
And their latest set was one that was jam-packed with bombshells, including explicit chanting and political statements. Here are the biggest moments from the dramatic set.
Glastonbury stage shut down
Glastonbury bosses were forced to shut down the West Holts stage ahead of the Irish trio’s performance. There had been calls for the festival to pull the band from the festival.
However, while BBC decided against airing the set, fans flocked to the stage to make sure to secure their spot. But many would have been left disappointed as they were turned away despite getting their early.
The space was shut off to crowd control, meaning no more people were allowed to enter the area. Glastonbury Festival bosses had earlier issued crowd warnings ahead of the set. They had sent out a list of what they expected would be their biggest audiences.
They told festival goers: “Kneecap will draw a large audience for their 4pm West Holts show. If you’re not planning to see them, please plan alternative routes around that area. If you do plan to attend, listen to stewards, and please have some other entertainment options in mind in case the field reaches capacity and we need to close it as part of our crowd planning measures.”
Sharon Osbourne booed
Following Sharon Obsourne’s condemning of the band, her name was loudly booed at Worthy Farm. She had previously told Piers Morgan: “They should follow the masters, who are U2. Bono goes on, he talks about Palestine. He does it in peace. He’s pro-Palestine, that’s his opinion Bono, god bless him, but he does it in such a way that it doesn’t incite violence from a crowd.”
She had also said: “Shame on Glastonbury, they have ruined the festival for one pathetic band.”
But as footage of the former X Factor judge was displayed on stage before the band made their entrance, the crowd voiced their displeasure of Ozzy Osbourne’s wife.
Call for riot – then retracted
Kneecap called for a riot as they headlined the West Holts stage. The group called for people to “start a riot” outside of court for Mo’s next date at Westminster.
However, they later backtracked and said they didn’t want a riot before adding: “But the stress we are under is nothing compared to the Palestinian people.”
They called Israel “war criminals” and said it was a genocide before adding that the “BBC will have some job editing” as they led a Free Palestine chant.
Mo Chara’s defiant message
Mo Chara told the thousands of fans in attendance that he is a “free man”. It was the first time he had spoke on stage since he appeared in court last week.
During the court hearing, it was said the 27-year-old is “well within his rights” to voice his opinions on Israel and Palestine, but the alleged incident is a “wholly different thing”.
At the hearing, Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said: “Of course, support for the one is not the same as support for the other. So the issue in this case, and the reason it has come to court, it centres on the apparent support by Mr Óg Ó hAnnaidh of a proscribed terrorist organisation.”
Óg Ó hAnnaidh was released on unconditional bail until his next hearing at the same court on August 20. Due to his release, the band was allowed to play their controversial Glastonbury set.
Keir Starmer targeted
The lively crowd hit out at Prime Minister Keir Starmer following his calls for Kneecap to be removed from the Glastonbury line-up. They erupted into a chant of “f*** Keir Starmer,” prior to Kneecap singer a new track.
And the chant was also repeated on a number of occasions during the set as fans made their feelings well and truly clear. In total, Kneecap led five “f*** Keir Starmer” chants and one aimed at Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch.
Kneecap make BBC jibe
The BBC’s decision not to livestream the set wasn’t well received by fans at home. But on stage, the group mocked the organisation, saying they will “have some job editing”.
With the set due to go on BBC iPlayer later on, the band joked bosses will be wanting to edit out some of their choice language. They insisted: “The BBC will have some job editing,” before leading a Free Palestine chant.” The band had called Israel “war criminals” and says it’s a genocide what they are doing to Palestine.
‘The story isn’t Kneecap’
The band wanted to reiterate their message that the key talking point shouldn’t be themselves. Instead, they stated hat the focus should be on what is happening in Palestine.
Source: Mirror
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