British rock band SPLIT as two members quit the group leaving fans devastated
British rock band Kid Kapichi have split after guitarist Ben Beetham and drummer George Macdonald sensationally quit the group.
Fans have been left devastated after Ben and George announced in a joint statement on Instagram that they have gone their separate ways.
The pair had been with the band for over a decade, helping shape its sound and rise through the UK rock scene.
In the statement, the band said they are looking to put their full efforts into other projects after being together for the last 12 years.
They wrote: 'It's with a heavy heart that we make an announcement of parting ways from Kapichi: a band, a family, a brotherhood which has been at the centre of our lives for the last 12 years.
'The truth is if you treat a band with the energy and focus it requires it doesn't leave much room for other things; and that means when you venture into fresh ground and give your all to something new, you owe it to the project to let it carry on without you rather than dilute yourself and give it less than it deserves.
'The 4 of us have shared this band for a long time, but beyond that we share a friendship, a history, a community and so much more that carries on even though our time in the band is ending.'
Frontman Jack Wilson and bassist Eddie Lewis have vowed to carry on - but confirmed the band as fans knew it has come to an end.
In a separate statement, they said: 'After dedicating the last decade of their lives to Kid Kapichi, Ben and George have taken the difficult decision to step down from the band.
'We've experienced all the highs and lows of being in this project together, and nothing can take away from all the victories we've shared.
'But the time felt right for them to go on and explore pastures new. We wholeheartedly wish them the best and our friendship will remain strong going into this new chapter.
'However, this is far from the end. Jack and Eddie enter into a new phase of Kapichi with fresh energy, ideas and attitude. More on this coming soon.'
They also assured fans: 'This is not the end for Kid Kapichi. We welcome this new era with arms akimbo as we move forward into these new and exciting times with a renewed sense of enthusiasm and passion.'
Ahead of heading their separate ways, the original four members will perform one final farewell gig together.
It is set to take place on July 12, at the 1,000-capacity De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea
It is set to take place on July 12, at the 1,000-capacity De La Warr Pavilion in Bexhill-on-Sea.
Ben and George added: 'It feels like a perfect end to this arc that we can share one more musical exploration together and celebrate once more in the place it all started.
'To pay homage to the end of an era that we've shared; not to mention celebrating a new era of Kapichi which we hope holds all the success it possibly can.
'Thanks from the bottom of our hearts to every fan, friend and family member who has supported us throughout this journey. It's been the wildest of rides. And thanks to Jack and Eddie for accepting this decision with open arms.'
Fans took to the comments to share their devastation over the news but many wished the band 'luck' for the future.
The wrote: 'I can't lie, I'm gutted to hear that Ben and George will be leaving, but I'm super excited to see what the future holds for all of you! Best of luck lads;
'Wishing you all the best! I'll be forever grateful I got to hear the original Kapichi dynamic in Texas and look forward to everything y'all do as musicians;
'So sad to hear this! Relieved the band will move forward though!;
'Gutted for you guys ❤️❤️❤️ Bring on the next era of Kapichi, Jack and Eddie duo? Nova Twins/Royal Blood style;
'Oh my gosh. i'm happy George and Ben look out for themselves, yet i can't help but feel disheartened. having seen you several times, i loved their energy. that being said, I'm excited for what's to come for Kapichi;
'Sad to see these two legends go thank you for everything, can't wait to see what's in store for you and for KK;
'Really sad to hear this, wishing you all the best in everything you go on to do;
'Absolutely gutted but wishing you all the best, you gotta do what's right for you!'
The band's most recent album There Goes The Neighbourhood dropped last year and featured the singles Let's Get To Work, Tamagotchi, 999 and Zombie Nation - a collaboration with Madness Suggs.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
20 minutes ago
- The Independent
Sabalenka extends ‘olive branch' to Gauff after French Open comments
Tennis stars Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka have publicly dispelled rumors of animosity by dancing together at Wimbledon and sharing the moment on social media. The pair, who recently contested the French Open final, posted videos of themselves grooving on Centre Court and lip-syncing outside the All England Club. Gauff wrote: 'the olive branch was extended and accepted! we're good so you guys should be too.' Their public display of camaraderie follows a controversial period after Gauff defeated Sabalenka in the French Open final three weeks prior.
The Sun
21 minutes ago
- The Sun
Kneecap rapper wears Palestine Action ‘terror group' T-shirt ahead of controversial Glasto set that BBC WON'T show live
CONTROVERSIAL hip hop group Kneecap have shared an image of one of its members wearing a "We Are All Palestine Action" ahead of their Glastonbury set. JJ O Dochartaigh - who often wears a balaclava in public - was seen in the snap wearing the top on X, with the caption reading: "1 hour to go..." 1 They are due to perform at 4pm on the West Holts stage. It comes after the BBC confirmed it will not be broadcasting the Irish trio's performance live following Sir Keir Starmer saying they should be banned from appearing altogether. Festival bosses, meanwhile, have already warned part of the grounds could be locked down during the group's performance this afternoon due to crowd surge concerns. Frontman Liam Og O hAnnaidh was charged under the Terrorism Act after allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist group Hezbollah while saying "up Hamas, up Hezbollah" during a gig in November in Kentish Town, north London. A BBC spokesperson said: 'As the broadcast partner, the BBC is bringing audiences extensive music coverage from Glastonbury, with artists booked by the festival organisers. "Whilst the BBC doesn't ban artists, our plans ensure that our programming meets our editorial guidelines. "We don't always live stream every act from the main stages and look to make an on-demand version of Kneecap's performance available on our digital platforms, alongside more than 90 other sets." The band themselves addressed a post on X to "a chairde Gael" - which means "Gaelic friends" in which they said they'd been contacted by the "propaganda wing of the regime". The post added: "They WILL put our set from Glastonbury today on the I-player later this evening for your viewing pleasure. "The crowd expected today is far greater than West Holts capacity so you'll need to be very early to catch us EARLY". A festival statement released today warns: "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." Earlier this month the rapper - who performs under the stage name Mo Chara - and bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and O Dochartaigh were mobbed by hundreds of fans outside Westminster Magistrates' Court. He was released on unconditional bail - and is due at the same court on August 20 for the next hearing. The group's much-anticipated appearance at Glastonbury has been criticised by PM Sir Keir Starmer and Tory leader Kemi Badenoch. Mr Starmer said this week it is "not appropriate" for the group to perform at the festival, which started on Thursday. Asked by The Sun on Sunday if he thinks Kneecap should play, the PM said: 'No I don't. 'I think we need to come down really clearly on this. I won't say too much, because there's a court case on, but I don't think that's appropriate.' Ms Badenoch also said the BBC "should not be showing" the band's set in a post on social media. Her post said: "The BBC should not be showing Kneecap propaganda. "One Kneecap band member is currently on bail, charged under the Terrorism Act. "As a publicly funded platform, the BBC should not be rewarding extremism." The band are not currently listed for live broadcast. Avon and Somerset Police said: "Ticket-holders can once again expect to see uniformed officers on site at Glastonbury Festival 24/7 throughout the festival as part of our extensive policing operation ensuring it is safe for everyone attending, as well as those who live nearby." In response to the charge, Kneecap said in a post: '14,000 babies are about to die of starvation in Gaza, with food sent by the world sitting on the other side of a wall, and once again the British establishment is focused on us... 'Instead of defending innocent people, or the principles of international law they claim to uphold, the powerful in Britain have abetted slaughter and famine in Gaza, just as they did in Ireland for centuries. Then, like now, they claim justification. 'The IDF units they arm and fly spy plane missions for are the real terrorists, the whole world can see it.' Hezbollah - founded in 1982 - is an Iran-backed Shiite militia. The Lebanese terrorist organisation voiced support for the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7 2023 before launching guided rockets and artillery shells at Israeli-occupied positions the following day. Israel has retaliated with strikes on Gaza - and the conflict remains ongoing, with thousands of people, including civilian children, killed. Kneecap has said they "do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah", condemned all attacks on civilians, and alleged footage was "deliberately taken out of all context" as part of a "coordinated smear campaign" over their criticism of "the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people".
The Independent
25 minutes ago
- The Independent
Bake Off's Nadiya Hussain hits back at critics after BBC show cancellation
Nadiya Hussain has spoken out against critics who told her to be "grateful" following the cancellation of her BBC cooking show. In an Instagram video, Hussain asserted her right to feel more than just thankful, including her right to feel anger when treated unfairly. She explained that she grew up in an immigrant household where gratitude was an expectation, making it hard to express other emotions. Hussain's collaboration with the BBC spanned a decade since her 2015 Great British Bake Off win, producing various cooking programmes. Watch the video in full above.
