Kneecap rapper tells Glastonbury he's a 'free man' after terror charge court appearance
Kneecap rapper Liam Og O hAnnaidh told Glastonbury he is a "free man" as the Irish rap band played to a huge crowd.
O hAnnaidh, also known as Liam O'Hanna - or by his stage name Mo Chara - was charged with a terror offence in May and appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court earlier this month.
The 27-year-old is accused of displaying a flag in support of the proscribed group Hezbollah at a gig in London last November, after video footage circulated online. He was released on unconditional bail ahead of a second court appearance in August.
Before their performance at Glastonbury there had been calls from some politicians for them to be cut from the line-up.
But they were greeted by cheers of support, and dozens of Palestinian flags waving in the audience, as well as Irish flags and a few "Free Mo Chara" T-shirts. On stage, they said it was the biggest crowd they had ever played to.
Kneecap played the West Holts stage, which has a capacity of about 30,000, and the area was closed by security about 45 minutes before their set.
They started with a montage of news readers covering O hAnnaidh's charge. "Has anybody been watching the news?" bandmate Naoise O Caireallain joked.
They also thanked Glastonbury organisers Michael Eavis and daughter Emily for not bowing to pressure to remove them from the bill.
In reference to his bandmate's upcoming court date, O Caireallain, who performs under the name Moglai Bap, said they would "start a riot outside the courts", before clarifying: "No riots, just love and support, and support for Palestine."
Earlier on Saturday, the BBC confirmed they would not be live-streaming the set but said the performance could be made available on-demand later.
Before their set, rap-punk duo Bob Vylan also caused controversy, leading the crowd in chants of: "Free, free Palestine" and: "Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces)."
Police said afterwards that they were assessing footage of both performances to decide whether any offences may have been committed.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has spoken to the BBC Director General about Bob Vylan's performance, a government spokesperson said.
Kneecap were removed from other festivals earlier this year, and before Glastonbury there were calls from some for them to be taken off the bill - including from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
The rappers have had the support of dozens of musicians including Massive Attack, Pulp, Primal Scream and Paul Weller, who signed an open letter in May saying there had been a "concerted attempt to censor and ultimately de-platform" the group.
Kneecap released their first single in 2017 and built a loyal fanbase in the following years.
They rose to wider prominence in 2024 following the release of their debut album and eponymous film - a fictionalised retelling of how the band came together and their fight to save the Irish language.
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The Independent
28 minutes ago
- The Independent
Bob Vylan share statement after Glastonbury boss calls onstage remarks ‘appalling'
Bobby Vylan, who is one half of punk rap duo Bob Vylan, has shared a lengthy statement after Glastonbury bosses called his onstage comments at the festival 'appalling'. The pair's performance at the festival on Saturday (28 June) led to a police assessment and condemnation from festival organisers and the BBC, after member Bobby led crowds at the West Holts Stage in a chant of 'death, death to the IDF [Israel Defense Forces]'. Bob Vylan were formed in Ipswich in 2017. Both members keep their real names secret to maintain their privacy, and go only by the monikers Bobby Vylan and Bobbie Vylan. Posting on Instagram on Sunday evening (29 June), the bandmember who goes by Bobby told his fans that he had been 'inundated' with a mixture of 'support and hatred', but that he stood by what he said and is calling for 'a change in foreign policy'. In a lengthy statement captioned 'I said what I said', he wrote: 'As I lay in bed this morning, my phone buzzing non stop, inundated with messages of both support and hatred, l listen to my daughter typing out loud as she fills out a school survey asking for her feedback on the current state of her school dinners. 'She expressed that she would like healthier meals, more options and dishes inspired by other parts of the world. 'Listening to her voice her opinions on a matter that she cares about and affects her daily, reminds me that we may not be doomed after all.' Bob Vylan performing at Glastonbury (Yui Mok/PA) (PA Wire) Bobby continued: 'Teaching our children to speak up for the change they want and need is the only way that we make this world a better place. As we grow older and our fire possibly starts to dim under the suffocation of adult life and all its responsibilities, it is incredibly important that we encourage and inspire future generations to pick up the torch that was passed to us. 'Let us display to them loudly and visibly the right thing to do when we want and need change. Let them see us marching in the streets, campaigning on ground level, organising online and shouting about it on any and every stage that we are offered.' Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial. Terms apply. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Enjoy unlimited access to 100 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial. Terms apply. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. He concluded his statement: 'Today it is a change in school dinners, tomorrow it is a change in foreign policy.' Bobby's lengthy statement (Bobby Vylan Instagram) After the performance, which the BBC streamed live but has not put on iPlayer, Glastonbury organisers said: 'Their chants very much crossed a line and we are urgently reminding everyone involved in the production of the festival that there is no place at Glastonbury for antisemitism, hate speech or incitement to violence.' Shortly after Bob Vylan's set, Belfast band Kneecap took to the stage with a similarly politically charged set, in which they led the crowds in chants of 'Free Palestine' and 'F*** Keir Starmer'. Police are currently assessing the footage of comments made by both Kneecap and Bob Vylan at Glastonbury to decide whether any offences may have been committed. Starmer has also condemned the performances by both bands and demanded that the BBC explain how the 'appalling' chants by Bob Vylan were broadcast live. Follow along with Glastonbury updates on The Independent 's live blog here.
Scottish Sun
30 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
My hostage son is chained up alone & going blind in Gaza dungeons while sick Hamas captors are CELEBRATED at Glastonbury
Scroll down to read more about the horrific treatment of hostages being held by vile Hamas FORGOTTEN PLIGHT My hostage son is chained up alone & going blind in Gaza dungeons while sick Hamas captors are CELEBRATED at Glastonbury THEY both set out to celebrate peace and love. But while Glastonbury was this weekend awash with support for Palestine, there was little if any recognition of the 378 people massacred by Hamas at the Nova music festival in Israel on October 7, 2023. 19 While Glastonbury was awash with Palestine support, there was little recognition of the 378 people killed by Hamas at the Nova music festival in Israel on October 7 2023 Credit: Alamy 19 Hostage Elkana Bohbot, right, with sibling Uriel before the October 7 attacks Credit: Doug Seeburg Amid a sea of Palestine flags waved by the crowds at Worthy Farm, punk performers Bob Vylan chanted, 'Death to the IDF' and Northern Irish rappers Kneecap led a chorus of 'F*** Keir Starmer'. The victims of the atrocity nearly two years ago — which marked the onset of full-scale war — were all but forgotten. Instead, here in the UK, its perpetrators were held up as heroes. You would have had to look hard to spot a flag at Glastonbury honouring those killed or taken hostage at the Nova festival. Unsuspecting party-goers there were slain amid a hail of bullets and rockets as waves of Hamas fighters swarmed across the border from Gaza. Rockets blasted across the border from Gaza. It became the scene of the biggest massacre at a music event in history. Incredibly, festivals held since then have not only failed to acknowledge what happened at the Israel gig, but have at times celebrated the terrorists behind the devastation. The attack on the event, as well as small villages and towns near the Gaza border on that same day, led to a conflict that has seen thousands of Palestinians killed as Israel continues in its quest to dismantle Hamas and return its hostages. Lebanon and Syria have become different countries with the weakening of Hezbollah. Fury as Glastonbury crowd chants 'death to the IDF' during Bob Vylan set aired live on BBC One member of the band Kneecap faces terror charges for allegedly waving the group's flag at a London gig. And the recent 12-day war between Iran and Israel has brought more death and destruction to both nations, yet Israel seems no closer to getting its hostages back. 'Grief and pain' The taken no longer feel like a key focus amid the fighting. Of the approximately 250 people who were originally taken captive by Hamas, around 50 are still believed to remain in war-stricken Gaza over 600 days later. Twenty of them are thought to be alive — nine were from the Nova Festival. We want to emphasise that bringing back the remaining 50 hostages is the key to achieving complete Israeli victory. There will be no victory until the last hostage returns Israel's Hostages And Missing Families Forum Slowly, as the Israeli army takes over increasing tranches of the territory, it is finding bodies of dead hostages. Eight have been recovered so far this month. On June 21, a military operation retrieved the remains of three people who had been taken captive — Yonatan Samerano, 21, Ofra Keidar, 71, and Sgt Shai Levinson, 19. Israel's Hostages And Missing Families Forum — which represents some of the hostages' relatives — said: 'Alongside the grief and pain, their return provides some comfort to the families who have waited in agony, uncertainty and doubt. 'We want to emphasise that bringing back the remaining 50 hostages is the key to achieving complete Israeli victory. There will be no victory until the last hostage returns.' One of those caged in the tunnels is Alon Ohel, who is in desperate need of medical attention as shrapnel in his eye is slowly blinding him. Throughout his ordeal, it is music that has kept him going, his mother Idit tells The Sun. Alon started playing the piano when he was nine, with Elton John a particular hero and inspiration. The British pop star's music is likely being sung by the gentle 24-year-old in the tunnel dungeons of Gaza as he tries to keep himself sane. Sir Elton has previously declared himself a fan of Kneecap — admitting he 'loves everything about them'. Alon was held with three other hostages, who were released in previous ceasefire deals. They have told his mother about the nightmare he is enduring. 'Their legs were chained for many months, they were starved and sometimes they were badly beaten,' says Idit. 19 Hamas terrorists used motorised paragliders during the attack 19 Wrecked and burnt out vehicles at the festival site Credit: EPA 'But at least they had each other. The three men Alon was held with have all been released. 'But we believe he is now on his own and, of course, we are so worried about it. 'The only thing that keeps me going is the hope that he will come out alive.' MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!! Donald Trump There has been a new ceasefire deal on the table for many weeks, which could secure Alon's freedom, but Hamas has refused to sign it. Even though it would put an end to the horrendous suffering of the Palestinian people, it would mean them losing their hold on Gaza. Just want them home Yesterday morning, US President Donald Trump, who has said he is hopeful a peace deal could be agreed in the next week, highlighted the plight of the hostages on Truth Social, writing in bold capital letters: 'MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!! DJT.' The question for the Israeli PM, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his cabinet remains: Save the hostages and allow Hamas to keep hold of Gaza, or try to completely defeat Hamas and risk the loss of the hostages? This is why the families of those still being held are so determined they never be forgotten. They just want them home. The hostages are rarely talked about any more in television coverage of the conflict. In countries in the West, posters of them are torn down. When Israeli forces took command of a Gaza-bound aid boat carrying climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, she claimed she had been 'kidnapped'. It was alleged she and other activists declined to watch footage of the October 7 horrors. But the hostages are an ever-present reminder of Hamas's cruelty and the fact that they are — whatever the BBC may or may not have called them — a terrorist group. 19 At Glastonbury this week, punk performers Bob Vylan chanted, 'Death to the IDF' Credit: Getty 19 Northern Irish rappers Kneecap led a chorus of 'F*** Keir Starmer' Credit: PA Windsor MP Jack Rankin has raised the case of Nova hostage Avinatan Or, 31, whose mother Ditza is British, in Parliament. He was twinned with Avinatan's family as part of the Hostages And Missing Families Forum UK, and met with them last December. Avinatan's kidnap, alongside girlfriend Noa Argamani, became front page news as they were pulled away from each other by terrorists who filmed it and put it on social media. The politician says he is disgusted that there is apparent support for Hamas at Glastonbury and a failure to remember those murdered at Nova. 'The juxtaposition is quite sick, to be honest, and I put a lot of it down to a huge degree of naivety on the part of Western society,' says Jack, who hosted Ditza at the House of Commons in March. 'The reality is that if Hamas had the ability to, it would do the same to Western people at Glastonbury as they did at Nova.' Earlier this year, Hamas released a harrowing propaganda video featuring Nova hostage Elkana Bohbot. In it, he addressed his brother, Uriel, asking him to go to the White House and ask US President Donald Trump to urgently get him out. Evyatar David, 23, is another musician who was kidnapped at Nova and is believed to still be alive. We know from the hostages that have returned that they are in a tiny space — about one-and-a-half metres wide — underground, sleeping next to a hole in the ground that they use for the toilet Evyatar's brother Ilay He was filmed alongside best friend and fellow hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal in one of Hamas's sickest stunts. The pair were videoed locked in a car surrounded by terrorists at a hostage release 'ceremony', pleading: 'Let us go.' The footage was released to cause added torment to their desperate families. In Gaza, captives have mainly been held underground, according to those who have now been freed. 'They sing together' 'We know from the hostages that have returned that they are in a tiny underground space — about one-and-a-half metres wide — sleeping next to a hole in the ground that they use for the toilet,' says Evyatar's brother Ilay. 'They have just enough food and water to keep them alive. 'I know that they sing together and talk about the festivals they have gone to and the ones they want to visit. 'Music is a big part of their survival in the tunnels because they have no stimulus at all.' Ilay says that wherever people stand on the Israel-Palestine conflict, they should be speaking up against hostage-taking. 'This is a humanitarian issue,' he insists. 'Anyone who says they are for human rights should be speaking about the hostages, too. 'It is sad to think that there are festivals going on which are filled with Palestine flags, but no one mentions what happened at Nova. 'They should talk about how people who were at a festival because they love music are being tortured in tunnels more than 600 days later.' Hell of captivity THEY danced in the desert until dawn at Israel's Nova music festival. But then terror struck on October 7, 2023, and these innocent revellers never made it home. Most remain missing after being captured by Hamas. Three were reportedly murdered. 19 Alon Ohel Credit: IDF 19 Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Evyatar David Credit: Supplied 19 Avinatan Or Credit: Supplied 19 Eitan Abraham Mor Credit: Supplied 19 Guy Illouz (murdered) Credit: Supplied 19 Bar Abraham Kupershtein Credit: Supplied 19 Inbar Hayman (murdered) Credit: Supplied 19 Maxim Herkin Credit: Supplied 19 Uriel Baruch (murdered) Credit: Supplied 19 Segev Kalfon Credit: Supplied 19 Rom Braslavski Credit: Supplied 19 Idan Shtivi (murdered)
The Sun
31 minutes ago
- The Sun
My hostage son is chained up alone & going blind in Gaza dungeons while sick Hamas captors are CELEBRATED at Glastonbury
Scroll down to read more about the horrific treatment of hostages being held by vile Hamas FORGOTTEN PLIGHT My hostage son is chained up alone & going blind in Gaza dungeons while sick Hamas captors are CELEBRATED at Glastonbury THEY both set out to celebrate peace and love. But while Glastonbury was this weekend awash with support for Palestine, there was little if any recognition of the 378 people massacred by Hamas at the Nova music festival in Israel on October 7, 2023. Advertisement 19 While Glastonbury was awash with Palestine support, there was little recognition of the 378 people killed by Hamas at the Nova music festival in Israel on October 7 2023 Credit: Alamy 19 Hostage Elkana Bohbot, right, with sibling Uriel before the October 7 attacks Credit: Doug Seeburg Amid a sea of Palestine flags waved by the crowds at Worthy Farm, punk performers Bob Vylan chanted, 'Death to the IDF' and Northern Irish rappers Kneecap led a chorus of 'F*** Keir Starmer'. The victims of the atrocity nearly two years ago — which marked the onset of full-scale war — were all but forgotten. Instead, here in the UK, its perpetrators were held up as heroes. You would have had to look hard to spot a flag at Glastonbury honouring those killed or taken hostage at the Nova festival. Advertisement Unsuspecting party-goers there were slain amid a hail of bullets and rockets as waves of Hamas fighters swarmed across the border from Gaza. Rockets blasted across the border from Gaza. It became the scene of the biggest massacre at a music event in history. Incredibly, festivals held since then have not only failed to acknowledge what happened at the Israel gig, but have at times celebrated the terrorists behind the devastation. Advertisement The attack on the event, as well as small villages and towns near the Gaza border on that same day, led to a conflict that has seen thousands of Palestinians killed as Israel continues in its quest to dismantle Hamas and return its hostages. Lebanon and Syria have become different countries with the weakening of Hezbollah. Fury as Glastonbury crowd chants 'death to the IDF' during Bob Vylan set aired live on BBC One member of the band Kneecap faces terror charges for allegedly waving the group's flag at a London gig. And the recent 12-day war between Iran and Israel has brought more death and destruction to both nations, yet Israel seems no closer to getting its hostages back. Advertisement 'Grief and pain' The taken no longer feel like a key focus amid the fighting. Of the approximately 250 people who were originally taken captive by Hamas, around 50 are still believed to remain in war-stricken Gaza over 600 days later. Twenty of them are thought to be alive — nine were from the Nova Festival. We want to emphasise that bringing back the remaining 50 hostages is the key to achieving complete Israeli victory. There will be no victory until the last hostage returns Israel's Hostages And Missing Families Forum Slowly, as the Israeli army takes over increasing tranches of the territory, it is finding bodies of dead hostages. Advertisement Eight have been recovered so far this month. On June 21, a military operation retrieved the remains of three people who had been taken captive — Yonatan Samerano, 21, Ofra Keidar, 71, and Sgt Shai Levinson, 19. Israel's Hostages And Missing Families Forum — which represents some of the hostages' relatives — said: 'Alongside the grief and pain, their return provides some comfort to the families who have waited in agony, uncertainty and doubt. 'We want to emphasise that bringing back the remaining 50 hostages is the key to achieving complete Israeli victory. There will be no victory until the last hostage returns.' Advertisement One of those caged in the tunnels is Alon Ohel, who is in desperate need of medical attention as shrapnel in his eye is slowly blinding him. Throughout his ordeal, it is music that has kept him going, his mother Idit tells The Sun. Alon started playing the piano when he was nine, with Elton John a particular hero and inspiration. The British pop star's music is likely being sung by the gentle 24-year-old in the tunnel dungeons of Gaza as he tries to keep himself sane. Advertisement Sir Elton has previously declared himself a fan of Kneecap — admitting he 'loves everything about them'. Alon was held with three other hostages, who were released in previous ceasefire deals. They have told his mother about the nightmare he is enduring. 'Their legs were chained for many months, they were starved and sometimes they were badly beaten,' says Idit. Advertisement 19 Hamas terrorists used motorised paragliders during the attack 19 Wrecked and burnt out vehicles at the festival site Credit: EPA 'But at least they had each other. The three men Alon was held with have all been released. 'But we believe he is now on his own and, of course, we are so worried about it. Advertisement 'The only thing that keeps me going is the hope that he will come out alive.' MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!! Donald Trump There has been a new ceasefire deal on the table for many weeks, which could secure Alon's freedom, but Hamas has refused to sign it. Even though it would put an end to the horrendous suffering of the Palestinian people, it would mean them losing their hold on Gaza. Just want them home Yesterday morning, US President Donald Trump, who has said he is hopeful a peace deal could be agreed in the next week, highlighted the plight of the hostages on Truth Social, writing in bold capital letters: 'MAKE THE DEAL IN GAZA. GET THE HOSTAGES BACK!!! DJT.' Advertisement The question for the Israeli PM, Benjamin Netanyahu, and his cabinet remains: Save the hostages and allow Hamas to keep hold of Gaza, or try to completely defeat Hamas and risk the loss of the hostages? This is why the families of those still being held are so determined they never be forgotten. They just want them home. The hostages are rarely talked about any more in television coverage of the conflict. Advertisement In countries in the West, posters of them are torn down. When Israeli forces took command of a Gaza-bound aid boat carrying climate campaigner Greta Thunberg, she claimed she had been 'kidnapped'. It was alleged she and other activists declined to watch footage of the October 7 horrors. But the hostages are an ever-present reminder of Hamas's cruelty and the fact that they are — whatever the BBC may or may not have called them — a terrorist group. Advertisement 19 At Glastonbury this week, punk performers Bob Vylan chanted, 'Death to the IDF' Credit: Getty 19 Northern Irish rappers Kneecap led a chorus of 'F*** Keir Starmer' Credit: PA Windsor MP Jack Rankin has raised the case of Nova hostage Avinatan Or, 31, whose mother Ditza is British, in Parliament. He was twinned with Avinatan's family as part of the Hostages And Missing Families Forum UK, and met with them last December. Advertisement Avinatan's kidnap, alongside girlfriend Noa Argamani, became front page news as they were pulled away from each other by terrorists who filmed it and put it on social media. The politician says he is disgusted that there is apparent support for Hamas at Glastonbury and a failure to remember those murdered at Nova. 'The juxtaposition is quite sick, to be honest, and I put a lot of it down to a huge degree of naivety on the part of Western society,' says Jack, who hosted Ditza at the House of Commons in March. 'The reality is that if Hamas had the ability to, it would do the same to Western people at Glastonbury as they did at Nova.' Advertisement Earlier this year, Hamas released a harrowing propaganda video featuring Nova hostage Elkana Bohbot. In it, he addressed his brother, Uriel, asking him to go to the White House and ask US President Donald Trump to urgently get him out. Evyatar David, 23, is another musician who was kidnapped at Nova and is believed to still be alive. We know from the hostages that have returned that they are in a tiny space — about one-and-a-half metres wide — underground, sleeping next to a hole in the ground that they use for the toilet Evyatar's brother Ilay He was filmed alongside best friend and fellow hostage Guy Gilboa-Dalal in one of Hamas's sickest stunts. Advertisement The pair were videoed locked in a car surrounded by terrorists at a hostage release 'ceremony', pleading: 'Let us go.' The footage was released to cause added torment to their desperate families. In Gaza, captives have mainly been held underground, according to those who have now been freed. 'They sing together' 'We know from the hostages that have returned that they are in a tiny underground space — about one-and-a-half metres wide — sleeping next to a hole in the ground that they use for the toilet,' says Evyatar's brother Ilay. Advertisement 'They have just enough food and water to keep them alive. 'I know that they sing together and talk about the festivals they have gone to and the ones they want to visit. 'Music is a big part of their survival in the tunnels because they have no stimulus at all.' Ilay says that wherever people stand on the Israel-Palestine conflict, they should be speaking up against hostage-taking. Advertisement 'This is a humanitarian issue,' he insists. 'Anyone who says they are for human rights should be speaking about the hostages, too. 'It is sad to think that there are festivals going on which are filled with Palestine flags, but no one mentions what happened at Nova. 'They should talk about how people who were at a festival because they love music are being tortured in tunnels more than 600 days later.' Advertisement Hell of captivity THEY danced in the desert until dawn at Israel's Nova music festival. But then terror struck on October 7, 2023, and these innocent revellers never made it home. Most remain missing after being captured by Hamas. Advertisement Three were reportedly murdered. 19 Alon Ohel Credit: IDF 19 Guy Gilboa-Dalal and Evyatar David Credit: Supplied 19 Avinatan Or Credit: Supplied Advertisement 19 Eitan Abraham Mor Credit: Supplied 19 Guy Illouz (murdered) Credit: Supplied 19 Bar Abraham Kupershtein Credit: Supplied 19 Inbar Hayman (murdered) Credit: Supplied Advertisement 19 Maxim Herkin Credit: Supplied 19 Uriel Baruch (murdered) Credit: Supplied 19 Segev Kalfon Credit: Supplied 19 Rom Braslavski Credit: Supplied Advertisement 19 Idan Shtivi (murdered)
