Latest news with #GiveItUp
Elle
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Elle
Elizabeth Gillies Will Never Sing ‘Suddenly Seymour' Again
Places, please for ELLE's column Showstoppers, where theater's biggest stars reflect upon the moment in their careers when the famous phrase 'the show must go on' became a little too real. When things don't go according to plan onstage, here's how the pros react—and what they take away from it. Elizabeth 'Liz' Gillies is perhaps best known for two iconic television roles: Fallon Carrington on Dynasty and Jade West on Victorious. In both roles, Gillies had notable belt-your-brains-out moments. (Her 'Give It Up' duet with Ariana Grande on Victorious is gay history.) Now, the actress is returning to her theatrical roots. Gillies, who made her Broadway debut in 13 with Grande in 2008, is about to wrap her five-month run as Audrey in Little Shop of Horrors at the Westside Theatre. She's been the Audrey to both Milo Manheim and Graham Phillips's Seymours, and for the actress, it has been a welcome return home. Below, Gillies discusses the challenges of the song 'Suddenly Seymour,' her favorite shows, and if she'd ever return for the Victorious reboot. I did the show with the flu a few times, which was just sort of trippy and disorienting. The beautiful thing about this show is [that it's] very self-aware, and obviously, it's funny. Although there are moments of total sincerity and gravitas, it can be very irreverent. It's fun to see where my handicaps that day take me. I've made the choice to do the show instead of calling out [sick]. When I've [gone onstage] with no voice, other parts of my performance have been stronger. It's forced me to make different choices and not rely on a pretty vocal. One time, I went to sing high notes, and I had to talk it. It got a laugh. I've had fun messing around and seeing what I can get out of myself when I'm at my weakest. 'Suddenly Seymour' was my audition and karaoke song for years. After this, I won't touch it with a 10-foot pole. It's not that I don't love it, it's a gorgeous song, there's just something about it. I'm more relaxed once it's over. For a long time, I was completely unable to hit the high note on 'condescend.' I was making a choice in the beginning to sing in head voice and get choked up over it, and now I sing it how it's supposed to be sung—sort of—but I made a sign in the girls' dressing room that says, 'What I lack in condescend, I make up for in vibes.' It's on our wall. So, once I'm gone, they can always remember that. Of course, if I must call out, I totally do. We have such an incredible team of understudies. The show is never in danger. Anytime I've been having a really horrible day or something bad happens, I think [the show] is a lovely escape. Unlike TV, where you really have too much time to sit and think about it in green rooms, the luxury of having two hours of catharsis is unmatched. I love theater. I love it when it's good. I love it when it's messy. I think it's all great, as long as the performance comes through. It's not an opera. As long as the audience feels what they're meant to feel, as long as they feel connected, it's OK. It's been my dream since I saw the show in 2003. I have other Broadway shows that I love very much, but there's really no role for me in them. It's always been Audrey. I was nervous to reenter this space, but also I would be doing myself such a major disservice if I said no. It's really changed my life, not in a corny way. This reminded me of how much I love theater. Going back to my roots kind of reaffirmed my passion for this business. I've been a serial monogamist in TV world. I would have these really tiny gaps of not working, and then it would be two to six years on a TV show. But, my roots are honestly exclusively in musical theater and improv. I'm thankful [coming back to the theater] was kind of was like riding a bike. It's very, very different from TV, in many ways. Wonderful. It's certainly my preference. TV and film both have their charms, but to me, the immediate response of live theater and live performing is unmatched. I love knowing if I succeeded or failed in real time. I love knowing if I moved the audience or if I fell short. I'm a glutton for punishment. My run with Milo was incredible. He had his devout Disney fans. I had my fan base, which is primarily Nickelodeon-lore. I think the combination of the two fandoms sort of blew the roof off the Westside Theatre. Our stage doors were insane. Now, with Graham [who previously co-starred with Gillies in 13], our stage doors are as passionate as ever. They bring their 13 playbills, which is so special. So many 13 fans have been waiting to get our final two signatures for 15 years. They've found everyone else. It's been so rewarding to me, and I really can't even put it to work into words. That's why I wasn't ready to leave just yet. I had actually never heard of Milo [before this]. He had also never watched Victorious, which was surprising to me. Milo was so wonderful, and I think the youngest person I have ever played opposite against romantically, and probably the youngest friend I now have in my life. I was very surprised and impressed by him. He is so professional and talented. He's such a star, and he played the role without any preconceived notions or any comparisons, because he wasn't that familiar with Little Shop. I think that served him really well. He created his own iconic take on the character, he and really made his own stamp. I built my Audrey around his Seymour, because Seymour's the lead. Graham has been my friend for 16 years. I've known him since I was a child. The biggest hurdle with Graham has been that we avoided the romance and kissing of it all until the very last possible minute, because it was just too weird. Imagine having a friend for 16 years non-romantic, and then all of a sudden you have to be dying in his arms, falling in love, and kissing. Now we're fine because we're professionals. It feels like we've been working with each other consistently for the last 15 years, when really the last thing we did together was an episode of White Collar [in 2012]. We've had Ari, Eamon Foley is a good friend of mine, Aaron Simon Gross. I don't know if I'm missing anybody, but we've had we've had people come in and out. One day, I'm going to track everyone down. We're going to have some kind of 13 family reunion. We'll have a barbecue. I know. I think we should do a reunion concert, in a much smaller scale than what they did for Spring Awakening. We don't need to get that fancy, but I do think something like that would be special. I'd love to play Hedwig [in Hedwig and the Angry Itch]. That is one of my all-time favorite shows. I'm probably not going to play Hedwig, but I would, if asked, if that was ever okay. Hair is one of my favorite musicals. I would totally play Sheila, if I can hit it all, because I am an alto. I love Sweet Charity, but I'm not a dancer. I love Ragtime, but I don't want to be Mother. You know what I mean? In Hairspray, I'd love to be Velma von Tussle. That's a dream role. [Annie's] Miss Hannigan is a dream role. And I really, really, really, really, want to play Velma in Chicago. I'm not diminishing how difficult the dancing is, but that type of dancing, I think I can do it. Then, all the 60-and-over roles, which I have to wait a little longer for. If they let me in Death Becomes Her, I'd play Helen Sharp. Yes, I definitely want to do more. I have to do more. I was reminded by doing this show that this is really who I am and what I love. This is probably the most important job I've ever had, just because of where I am in my life. I come from a musical family. My uncles, my hands, my dad, my grandma, everyone sings. I was always around music. I sang in church growing up. I would cantor and do the arm movements. I would wear dresses that made no sense for church. That was my first little taste of it, and I was like, 'Oh, I love it.' Then, I forced my parents to help me get an agent when I was about 10, because we lived so close to the city. Why can't we try? I would find open calls and make them drive me. I was my own little stage mom, and I knew that I had enough to give it a shot. If it made sense, and I was going back with all my friends and 'classmates,' I would totally consider it. I mean, Daniela [Monet] is at the helm of it, and she's wonderful. She's the perfect person to keep this whole legacy alive. Hopefully it's everything our fans, and we alumni of Hollywood Arts, dream of and stand by. If I talk to the team, meaning my Victorious cast mate team, and they say so, we're going on the show. It's trippy. I think I processed it early when Milo left, because that was sort of the end of that era, and I didn't. I don't think I knew at that point that I was coming back. I'll feel it most on my first Tuesday off. This has been eight shows a week since February 25, and it's not a long time, but it is for me. I haven't had theater in a long time, and this has been my whole life. I made such good friends here. The people here are just incredible. I'm going to miss the girls so much, our dressing room, our gutter. We all kill cockroaches together and do TikToks. This show made me young again. This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. Elizabeth Gillies currently stars in Little Shop of Horrors at the Westside Theatre. Tickets can be purchased here.
Daily Mirror
04-07-2025
- Daily Mirror
Hip hop star begs US to ban all guns as he fears 'children aren't safe'
Flavor Flav, founding member of Public Enemy which has earned five Grammy Award nominations, speaks in the wake of several active shooter incidents, including one at Apalachee High School in Georgia Rapper Flavor Flav has called on the US to ban all firearms - as he believes "our kids aren't safe". The 66-year-old hip hop star, who founded group Public Enemy, says the "wrong people" have too much access to guns. This is despite he himself spending time in jail after he was charged with attempted murder for shooting his neighbour in 1993. But seeing his kids grow up since, Flavor Flav - real name William Jonathan Drayton Jr - has said he has taken time to reflect on what he describes as "an epidemic of gun violence" in the US. The musician has expressed his opinion in a newspaper column today - Independence Day - in the wake of several active shooter incidents, including one at Apalachee High School in Georgia, which saw two children and a teacher die. "This happens so often, we have started to become numb to it as a society. Our schools aren't safe and our kids aren't safe. This is because gun protection laws are weak," Flav wrote for Newsweek. The father of nine, from the state of New York, added the country is caught in a "epidemic of gun violence with no sign we can stop or change course." He blamed the lack of gun laws, which he called "domestic errorism". The rapper, who said no civilian needs a semi-automatic weapon, added: "Stop putting a price tag on the heads of our children." But Flav himself shot his neighbour in 1993, for which he was charged with attempted murder and spent 90 days in jail. He refers to this in his Newsweek piece, inssting he "would know" that guns are "falling into the hands of the wrong people". "Guns are falling into the hands of the wrong people. I would know. I went to jail because of guns. I ended up on Rikers Island. So I am speaking from first-hand experience. Back in the day, guns and drugs were brought into Black communities. It was a time when we were taught that guns and drugs equaled power. We all had guns. There was peer pressure; a gun felt like a necessity to protect yourself from gang wars. This helped create a system of criminals who were forced into legalised slavery," Flav reflected. He then compared those times to the modern day, which he stresses is full of "fear and power". The star added: "Fear is a powerful, short-term motivator. We need to flip it so it can break through to be a positive and valuable resource. Let our fear of losing our children be more powerful than our fear of our next-door neighbour." Public Enemy, which was nominated for five Grammy Awards between 1990 and 1995, were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2013. They had success with the likes of Give It Up in 1994 and Harder Than You Think in 2007.
Business Wire
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
South Florida Pop-Punk Band ‘Give It Up' Captures the Free-Spirited Soul of Antigua in New ‘Island Time' Music Video
DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In a celebration of pure leisure, culture, and connection, South Florida-based pop-punk band Give It Up known for its high-energy performances, infectious melodies, and vibrant fusion of punk rock influences with contemporary pop has partnered with the people, landscapes, and spirit of Antigua to launch ' Island Time '—a feel-good anthem and vibrant music video that captures the very essence of vacation. Building on the momentum of their debut singles, which include standout tracks like 'All My Fault' and 'No One Told Me', Give It Up continues to evolve their signature blend of South Florida punk energy and catchy, singable hooks. Known for their dynamic live shows and head bopping music, the band has become a staple in the South Florida music scene, earning a loyal fan base through their high-energy performances and authentic sound. 'Island Time' marks a new chapter in their journey, channeling their love for fun, connection, and sun-soaked freedom into a song that's both a celebration and an invitation. Written and performed by Give It Up— Sean Gordon (vocals/bass), Dave Ferreira (guitar/vocals), Ron Griguts (drums), and Brian Midkiff (lead guitar) —the original song merges the energy of South Florida's pop-punk roots with the easy vibes of island life, creating a dynamic soundtrack to what it feels like to truly let go and embrace "vacation mode." With every verse, the band weaves together two cultures that unite in a shared love of good times, good people, and unforgettable adventures. Filmed entirely on location, the music video spotlights some of Antigua and Barbuda's most iconic sites, including Devil's Bridge National Park, Shirley Heights, Block House Lookout Point, and the Donkey Sanctuary. In one of the video's most memorable scenes, Give It Up is seen playing directly in front of Antigua's crystal-clear waters, guitars in hand, with waves lapping around them, perfectly capturing the spirit of 'Island Time". Against this breathtaking backdrop and campaign is a collaboration with Elite Island Resorts inviting travelers to experience Antigua's rich history, natural beauty, and laid-back spirit through a lively, authentic lens. 'We wanted to capture the true spirit of Antigua—its rhythm, its people, and its incredible energy,' said Sean Gordon of Give It Up. 'This project is about both music and travel. It's about finding that freedom to feel alive, be yourself, and celebrate the simple joys of life while on vacation. Antigua lets you do exactly that—and that's the feeling we poured into 'Island Time.'' The video also features stunning scenes from two of Antigua's premier resorts: The Verandah Antigua and Pineapple Beach Club Antigua, both part of the renowned Elite Island Resorts collection. With sweeping turquoise waters, lush tropical gardens, and a signature laid-back elegance, these resorts provided the perfect canvas for the band's story of easy-going island living. Elite Island Resorts partnered with Give It Up to showcase not just the beauty of their properties, but the broader, organic spirit of Antigua itself. Importantly, many of the faces in the music video are local Antiguans and Miami-based creatives—real people whose authenticity shines through every frame, reinforcing the campaign's commitment to celebrating community, culture, and connection. The video was edited by acclaimed MTV VMA winner Michael Garcia, known for his work with artists such as Machine Gun Kelly, Jason Derulo, Kodak Black, and Sting. Garcia's signature editing style, marked by immersive, cinematic pacing and emotionally resonant imagery, elevates the 'Island Time' video to a visual celebration of both music and destination. His ability to blend natural beauty with performance energy brings a new layer of depth to the campaign. The music video officially launched with a VIP Invite-Only "Island Time" Video Release Party on Friday, May 2, 2025 at Anchors Aweigh Dive Bar in Deerfield Beach, FL — paying homage to the band's authentic musical roots. The well-attended event featured live performances by Give It Up and local band Tiger Sunset. The band will make additional appearances in the coming weeks, continuing to show the love for Antigua and its vibrant culture—all while delivering the incredible high-energy live performance Give It Up is famous for. 'We hope this song inspires people to find their own 'Island Time' — wherever they are in Antigua.' said Dave Ferreira of Give It Up. 'Island Time' reflects how travel, music, and culture can beautifully intersect. It's a reminder that the best travel experiences aren't measured by schedules or luxury — they are felt through the simple, authentic moments, people and vibes that stay with everyone long after they return home. About Give It Up: Give It Up is a high-energy pop-punk band from South Florida, known for their infectious melodies and dynamic live performances. Comprised of Sean Gordon (vocals/bass), Dave Ferreira (guitar/vocals), Ron Griguts (drums), and Brian Midkiff (lead guitar), the band blends the raw energy of punk rock with catchy, singable hooks that capture the spirit of fun and freedom. With standout tracks like 'All My Fault' and 'No One Told Me' from their debut EP, Give It Up has become a staple in the South Florida music scene, earning a loyal fan base through their electrifying shows and authentic sound that resonates with fans of both classic and contemporary punk. About Elite Island Resorts: Elite Island Resorts represents an impressive portfolio of Caribbean all-inclusive resorts, offering guests luxurious and unforgettable experiences in some of the most stunning destinations in the region. The group includes two 5-star Virtuoso ® properties—Hammock Cove Antigua and Galley Bay Resort & Spa, Antigua—along with exceptional resorts in Barbados and Panama. Known for their commitment to providing world-class service, breathtaking views, and unforgettable amenities, Elite Island Resorts offers the perfect setting for both relaxation and adventure.
Daily Mail
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
They shouted 'Up Hamas' on stage, called for Tory MPs to be killed and championed the IRA - yet they're lionised by the BBC and were given £1.6m of public money... So why are Irish rappers Kneecap STILL set to play Glastonbury?
Three weeks ago, Kneecap were revelling in the acclaim of tens of thousands of adoring fans at one of the world's most famous music festivals. With one band member wearing his trademark Irish tricolour balaclava, the West Belfast hip-hop trio entertained the crowd at Coachella – a more glitzy US version of Glastonbury – in their own inimitable style. Rapper Mo Chara told the cheering audience: 'If anybody was wondering, Margaret Thatcher 's still dead,' before leading them in a celebratory singalong of 'Maggie's in a box' to the tune of Give It Up by KC and the Sunshine Band. He followed this rendition with a speech denouncing what he described as the continued 'British occupation' of Ireland and the 'worse occupation' in Palestine. As the crowd went wild, he concluded with the Republican slogan that was frequently used by IRA terrorists: 'Tiocfaidh ár lá', meaning 'Our day will come'. It capped a remarkable two years for Kneecap, who have reaped extraordinary rewards from what critics claim is an act based on glorifying terrorism and stoking sectarianism. The band has been accused of repeatedly using IRA paraphernalia – including promoting themselves using images of petrol bombs burning politicians – to make violent republicanism appear cool to a generation lucky enough to be born after the horrific slaughter of the Troubles. This 'terrorist chic' took the trio from being virtual unknowns outside of Northern Ireland to global sensations who starred in a hit film based on their lives. The Mail has been investigating Kneecap since January 2024 and has discovered a deeply disturbing cache of social media posts and comments by the band alluding to terror attacks as 'resistance', welcoming growing support among the young for the IRA and glorifying violence in their music. Astonishingly, while this was going on, we also found the group and its film were bankrolled with £1.6million of public money and feted by the BBC. The irony is that it was their amped-up performance at Coachella which alerted the wider world to the brutal reality of Kneecap's repellent attitudes. In the course of just a few days, the group – named after the paramilitary punishment of shooting someone in the knee – have been dropped by their US sponsor and booking agent, had a series of high-profile gigs cancelled and been condemned by UK politicians from all parties. Most dramatically, counter-terrorism officers have launched an investigation into videos allegedly showing them inciting support for terror groups during gigs. The fall from grace began when, furious that their crass political posturing during their first set at Coachella had been cut from the live stream of the performance, they performed their set at the second weekend of the festival against the backdrop of a slogan declaring 'F*** Israel, Free Palestine' projected on to the wall behind them. Days later, footage emerged from a Kneecap gig last year in which one member appears to shout 'Up Hamas, up Hezbollah', while draped in the latter terror group's flag. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are proscribed organisations in the UK. They face more Scotland Yard scrutiny over footage unearthed by the Mail from a gig in November 2023 which appears to show one member of the group saying: 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.' Facing an unprecedented backlash, Kneecap finally apologised to the bereaved relatives of murdered politicians Jo Cox and Sir David Amess, who had joined the chorus of condemnation. The band also denied ever having supported Hamas or Hezbollah and said it condemned all attacks on civilians. In the same statement, however, Kneecap claimed that they were the victims of a 'smear campaign' orchestrated by the British 'Establishment'. They were supported this week by dozens of music artists – including Pulp, Paul Weller, the Pogues and Primal Scream, as well as BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac – who signed an open letter issued by the group's record label, Heavenly Recordings, saying there had been 'a clear, concerted attempt to censor and ultimately de-platform' Kneecap. 'As artists, we feel the need to recognise our opposition to any political repression of artistic freedom,' they added. For its part, Kneecap insisted the band's message 'has always been – and remains – one of love, inclusion and hope'. Little evidence of this purported approach is found in the band's history, however. Kneecap were formed in 2017 by rappers Mo Chara, real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, 26; Móglaí Bap, real name Naoise Ó Cairealláin, 30; and DJ Próvaí, real name JJ Ó Dochartaigh, who is 34. Their ages mean they were all born around the time of the 1994 IRA ceasefire and 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which ushered in a period of relative peace. Previous generations had lived through the Troubles, during which 3,600 people were killed, nearly half of them by the IRA, including scores of children. Kneecap say they wrote their first song following a brush with the police after being caught graffitiing the word 'cearta', which means 'rights' in Irish, on a bus stop. Their ages mean they were all born around the time of the 1994 IRA ceasefire and 1998 Good Friday Agreement, which ushered in a period of relative peace It prompted their debut track C.E.A.R.T.A – an Irish-language rap mostly berating police attempts to stop them getting high, which was playlisted by Irish broadcaster RTE but later pulled after listeners complained about its drug references. The image used to promote another of the group's early songs, H.O.O.D, featured one of the band members holding a hurling stick studded with nails next to a policeman tied to a chair. The lyrics include: 'Do ya want it in your chest? / Or your knees or your head?' In 2019, the group led a chant of 'Get the Brits out' at the Empire Music Hall in Belfast, a day after Prince William and Kate had visited the venue. Kneecap later claimed on Twitter, now X, that the chant 'was about Brexit'. DJ Próvaí said he began wearing his balaclava during performances to hide his identity from the school where he taught Irish. But his day job came to an end in 2020 after his bosses were alerted to a video of a gig where he'd painted 'Brits out' on his buttocks. In 2021, Kneecap retweeted a news report warning that growing numbers of teenagers were expressing support for the IRA on social media, with the comment 'Finally some gd [good] news.' The group promoted their Farewell To The Union tour with an image of then-prime minister Boris Johnson and former Democratic Unionist Party leader Arlene Foster strapped to a rocket on top of a bonfire, as two band members crouched at the bottom holding a petrol bomb. In 2022, the group unveiled a mural of a burning police Land Rover above the Irish-language slogan 'No welcome for the RUC (Royal Ulster Constabulary)'. The image shocked many in the province, where more than 300 members of the RUC were murdered during the Troubles. More recently, Kneecap have taken an equally combative position on the conflict in the Middle East. A week after the Hamas terror attacks of October 7, 2023, in which over 1,200 people were killed in Israel, the band posted a picture of the Palestinian flag emblazoned with the slogan 'Resistance is Not Terrorism '. A week after the Hamas terror attacks of October 7, 2023, in which over 1,200 people were killed in Israel, the band posted a picture of the Palestinian flag emblazoned with the slogan 'Resistance is Not Terrorism' When they met Jeremy Corbyn in London two months later, band member Mo Chara again highlighted his solidarity with the Palestinian cause. At the end of the interview, the former Labour leader told them: 'Thanks, guys, for what you do in inspiring so many people.' The band have also enjoyed support from former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams and, since 2019, have been managed by Daniel Lambert, a former Irish diplomat to the UN and ex-member of the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs' Conflict Resolution Unit, where he worked with peacebuilding organisations. Despite his background, Mr Lambert tweeted that Gaza was 'striking for liberation' and had a 'right to armed resistance under international law'. He has also shared an image of the late October 7 mastermind Yahya Sinwar alongside a quotation from the Hamas leader: 'Does the world expect us to be well- behaved victims while we are getting killed?' A legal representative for Mr Lambert denied the posts amounted to praise of Hamas. While Kneecap enjoyed some support in Northern Ireland, what propelled them to prominence was an extraordinary mix of public funding and fawning coverage from the BBC. As one woman in Belfast said this week: 'They're just three wee gobshites who wouldn't have got much beyond the Falls Road if people who should have known much better hadn't rushed to help them.' While Kneecap enjoyed some support in Northern Ireland, what propelled them to prominence was an extraordinary mix of public funding and fawning coverage from the BBC Despite huge concerns about the group, £1.6 million of public money helped fund an eponymous semi-autobiographical film starring its members. The project received £810,000 from the National Lottery. The cash – which is meant to be used for the 'public good' – was distributed by the British Film Institute, which told the Mail its funding 'is not an endorsement of the politics depicted in the film or of political statements made by those involved.' Another £805,000 came from Northern Ireland Screen, including a chunk from the UK taxpayer-funded Irish Language Broadcast Fund. When the Mail exposed this, it provoked horror among people who had been injured or lost loved ones during the Troubles. Former British soldier Noel Downey, 60, who lost a leg in a 1990 IRA car bomb, said he was appalled public money had funded a film promoting 'sectarian bigots'. The band was helped in its bid to boost its profile in January 2024 when a BBC puff piece about them ran all day across the Radio 4 Today programme and national TV bulletins. Hailing Kneecap as being at the 'forefront of Irish hip-hop', the report made only a passing reference to their controversy. In an interview, the reporter left unchallenged the band's assertion they were only interested in 'making music, not stirring up tensions'. Instead of follow-up questions, she instead asked them to teach her some Irish. The BBC said it had 'made sure the audience was aware of the sometimes controversial aspects' of Kneecap's work. The following week Kneecap arrived at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah for their film premiere on an armoured police Land Rover graffitied with the band's name. The film won the festival's Audience Award and later a Bafta. Endorsements from music legends also rolled in; Sir Elton John has called them 'extraordinary'. A few public figures did try to push back. After the first Mail exposé about Kneecap, Kemi Badenoch – then Business Secretary – blocked the group from receiving a grant it had been allocated by the British Phonographic Industry. But the band sued, claiming discrimination on the grounds of nationality and political opinion and, after the new Labour Government declined to fight the case, Kneecap were awarded £14,250 at Belfast High Court. The band revelled in the victory, boasting they had taken some of the 'King's money', when all they had actually taken was more hard-working taxpayers' cash. Ms Badenoch has called for them to be prosecuted over the recently emerged footage. This time, she has been joined by Sir Keir Starmer, who has branded the band's comments 'completely unacceptable'. The Prime Minister also said no further public funds would be directed towards them. To make things more tricky for Kneecap, many of the group's fans have accused them of being 'sell-outs' for apologising at all. The fallout has seen them cancelled from several German festivals and from a gig at the Eden Project in Cornwall. Back in Belfast, the DUP has called for the band to be axed from a concert in the city, citing concerns over the 'glorification of terrorism' and 'incitement to violence'. But all is not lost for the group, who are still scheduled to appear at Glastonbury next month. This is despite the Board of Deputies of British Jews and several MPs calling for them to be dropped. Katie Amess, the daughter of slain MP for Southend West David Amess, said it would be 'very dangerous' for them to perform. If nothing else, it's hard to see how the band's statements of support for terrorist groups and calls to kill MPs could fit with Glastonbury's mission to strive towards an 'inclusive and accepting world'. But then, if Kneecap can insist its message is entirely about 'love, inclusion, and hope', anything is possible.
