Kneecap defiant at Glastonbury
Controversial rappers Kneecap rocked the Glastonbury Festival today and led the crowds in cheers of 'F**k Kier Starmer' and 'Free Mo Chara' as they took to the West Holts stage at the annual festival as one of the most hotly anticipated bands on the bill.
Earlier organisers had been forced to close off access to the West Holts stage area after the site reached capacity with thousands of eager Kneecap fans vying for space to see Mo Chara, whose real name is Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh.
Hundreds of diehard fans were turned away from the site as it reached its capacity with Kneecap fans arriving early in order to secure a spot to see the band.
Stock image – Kneecap
'Mo Chara' caused controversy last week, after he appeared in court in London, charged with displaying a flag supporting the militant group Hezbollah during a gig at the O2 Kentish Town in London last year.
The 27-year-old stood before Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 18, as supporters and fellow musicians, rallied outside the courthouse. Kneecap band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, leaves Westminster Magistrates' Court. Pic: James Veysey/REX/Shutterstock
Kneecap has called the case against them as a 'witch hunt' and one which threw their appearance at Glastonbury into doubt after calls from British Prime Minister Kier Starmer to have them removed from the list of performers for the festival.
Although the BBC decided NOT to livestream the Kneecap performance, a spokesperson for the broadcaster said a recorded version will be available on demand.
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