PILTON Despite a terror accusation against one of the three members and protests from British MPs, Kneecap, an Irish-language rap group, is scheduled to perform at the Gloucesterbury Festival on Saturday.
Under the stage name Mo Chara, Liam G. Annaidh has been charged with supporting a prohibited group under the Terrorism Act for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag during a November concert in London. Ahead of a follow-up court appearance in August, he is free on unconditional bail.
The Belfast group has received accolades for bringing life to Northern Ireland’s Irish-language cultural scene, but they have also drawn criticism for their political comments and profanity-filled lyrics.
The band frequently uses sarcastic language and imagery from the Irish republican struggle and the decades of conflict in Northern Ireland. Videos purportedly show the band urging people to kill MPs and yelling out to Hezbollah and Hamas.
The group’s members claim that they do not endorse violence or support Hamas or Hezbollah. Because of their support for the Palestinian cause during the Gaza War, they have accused critics of attempting to suppress the band.
The dispute has led to the cancellation of several Kneecap performances. In response to a journalist’s question, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that Kneecap should not be given a platform at the festival.
Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the opposition Conservative Party, stated that Kneecap propaganda should not be shown on the publicly financed BBC.
Kneecap’s concert may or may not be seen by the BBC, which broadcasts hours of Glastonbury performances.
Nearly 4,000 singers will perform on 120 stages at Britain’s most famous summer music festival, Worthy Farm in southwest England, which has drawn about 200,000 ticket buyers. The main acts for the three days that culminate on Sunday are Doechii, Olivia Rodrigo, Charli XCX, Neil Young, Rod Stewart, and Busta Rhymes.
A performance by the British rock group The 1975, an unexpected set by New Zealand singer Lorde, a wild reception for Gen X icon Alanis Morissette, and an emotional comeback by Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi—two years after he took a hiatus from touring to cope with the effects of Tourette syndrome—were among Friday’s highlights at Glastonbury.
