Belfast-based Irish rap trio Kneecap are gearing up for their Glastonbury performance on Saturday at 4pm at the West Holts stage.
Their appearance at Worthy Farm has been surrounded by controversy for weeks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer even calling for their set to be scrapped after member Liam Og O hAnnaidh appeared in court, charged with for allegedly waving a flag in support of the banned terrorist group Hezbollah and chanting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” during a performance in Brixton last November.
O hAnnaidh, better known as Mo Chara, and his bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh showed up at Westminster Magistrates’ Court wearing “Free Mo Chara” T-shirts, to the cheers of hundreds of supporters.
Due to the controversy surrounding their band member’s legal case, there has been a lot of discussion in the press about whether or not they should play at all before Glastonbury this weekend. But, the performance is set to go ahead as planned. We present the most recent information and essential information about the controversial trio’s set here.
After Kneecap comments, former Taoiseach Leo Varadkar makes a furious remark to Keir Starmer.
Ex-Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has admitted that he thought Keir Starmer was pulling “some sort of gag” when he said Kneecap’s upcoming Glastonbury performance is “inappropriate”.
The Belfast trio’s participation at the festival, which runs from this Wednesday through Sunday, was deemed inappropriate by the UK Prime Minister over the weekend.
His remarks came after rapper Liam Og O hAnnaidh was accused of holding a flag at a concert in support of the feared terrorist organization Hezbollah.
O hAnnaidh, 27, who goes by the stage name Mo Chara, was bailed until later in the summer – leaving him free to play at Glastonbury.
When The Sun asked him if he thought Kneecap should play on Sunday, Mr. Starmer replied, “No, I don’t.” I believe that we must come down on this point very clearly. Because there is a court case ongoing, I won’t say too much, but I don’t believe that’s appropriate.
Former Taoiseach Mr. Varadkar said he thought the PM was pulling “some sort of gag” in response to Mr. Starmer’s remarks. He claimed on social media that his office no longer has a mandate and that his opinions no longer matter. I get that.
“But I really believed it to be a joke,” she continued. From James Joyce to Sex Pistols and Playboy, artists play avant-garde, inappropriate, challenging, and disruptive roles.
Mr Varadkar warned that politicians should not try to” censor “artists.
In the midst of controversy, the BBC releases a statement regarding the coverage of Kneecap Glastonbury.
The BBC has said Kneecap’s performance at Glastonbury will be aired if it meets the station’s” editorial guidelines”.
The Belfast rap group’s performance will take the West Holts stage on Saturday at 4pm, but there is still a cast of doubt about whether or not it will be broadcast on television.
A spokesperson for the BBC confirmed that Glastonbury 2025 will feature more than 90 hours of live performances from Glastonbury’s five main stages, but it would not specify whether Kneecap’s performance would be broadcast.
In a statement, the BBC said:” As the broadcast partner, the BBC will be bringing audiences extensive music coverage from Glastonbury, with artists booked by the festival organisers.
Our plans will ensure that our programming will adhere to our editorial guidelines, even though the BBC doesn’t outlaw artists.
Premier Kier Starmer says the band should not play Glastonbury because the organization defends the performance.
Additionally, Kier Starmer made an observation regarding the situation. When questioned about whether he thinks the band should perform at the festival, he responded: “No, I don’t. I believe that we must come down on this point very clearly. Because there is a court case ongoing, I won’t say too much, but I don’t believe that’s appropriate.
However, their set was later defended by organiser he group are still set to perform. Talking to the BBC as the festival flung open its doors to thousands of revellers today, Emily Eavis was asked: “You are very used to people picking over every aspect of the lineup but the Prime Minister got involved this time, saying it wasn’t appropriate for Kneecap to be playing, how have you responded to that?”
Emily responded, “We haven’t responded to that.” At the moment we’re just focusing on bringing the best festival to the people who want to come here. We have millions of visitors and are incredibly fortunate that there are so many people who want to attend Glastonbury.
However, she was then questioned about her reaction to the statement, “But it’s quite a thing for the Prime Minister to comment. How did you feel”?
Kneecap share powerful message before Glastonbury performance
Kneecap delivered a powerful message during the build-up on Thursday, two days before their performance at Worthy Farm. The rap group’s set will not be broadcast live on the BBC because of the controversy over their political gestures at previous shows, which they will be doing at the iconic festival.
The group shared a short film calling for urgent attention to the ongoing genocide in Gaza. In the opening credits, they shared the video, which featured a public service announcement image with the caption “Please pay attention.”
Then they read a statement that calls for genocide, drawing inspiration from sources including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, The Lancet, and a number of UN agencies. The words are accompanied by a series of animated illustrations on screen, while as well as interviews with doctors and activists.
The group stated in the upload’s caption, “Kneecap is not the story.” Gaza’s Genocide is.
” See it. Say it. ‘Censored’ is an artist-led alternative PSA presented by kneecap that demands urgent action to stop the genocide unfolding in Gaza.
Why won’t Kneecap’s set be streamed live on BBC?
Kneecap are ‘not likely’ to have their upcoming Glastonbury performance shown on the BBC, following controversy over band member Mo Chara’s court case.
The rapper’s Glastonbury slot is under investigation, but the show will continue in advance of this weekend’s festival due to the rapper’s bail later in the summer. Speaking from Westminster last week, he told fans: “For anybody going to Glastonbury, you can see us there at 4pm on the Saturday.
If anyone watches the BBC, you can watch it on the BBC. In September, we’ll be at Wembley. But most importantly: free, free Palestine. “
Just before the broadcast is scheduled to begin, BBC Two will begin broadcasting Glastonbury at 5 p.m., followed by Kneecap at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.
Although iPlayer coverage is available throughout, with highlights shown each day in the evenings on BBC One – the band are also not listed for either platform. The BBC’s schedule is finalised and can be changed up nto and even during the festival, but so far, there is no sign of Kneecap.
What causes controversy with Kneecap and who are they?
The North of Ireland-based rap trio Kneecap is renowned for their politically charged lyrics, use of Irish language, and rebellious attitude. Mo Chara, Mógla Bap, and DJ Próva are among the members of the group.
While they are widley loved by many, the trio have sparked debate and controvery due to their openly republicanism and criticsm of British rule in the North of Ireland. Their lyrics frequently make reference to anti-establishment sentiments, the Troubles, and Irish nationalism, which has drawn criticism from unionist communities in particular.
Mo Chara, a band member, and her court case have drawn a lot of controversy. Mo Chara, 27, whose real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, was charged with brandishing a flag backing banned militant group Hezbollah at a gig in November 2024.
On June 18, the 27-year-old appeared in Westminster Magistrates’ Court. Paul Weller and other musicians, among others, gathered outside.
The charge related to an incident after the band’s O2 Forum show in Kentish Town, London.
Source: Mirror
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