Latest news with #LiamÓhAnnaidh
Irish Times
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Kneecap: ‘They can't stop us playing Glasgow'
Kneecap has responded to at Scotland's first minister on Tuesday night as the Irish rap trio performed a gig in Glasgow. The group was set to play the TRNSMT festival in the city this weekend, but their spot was cut following concerns raised by police. John Swinney had also called for the festival to not allow the band play, describing their appearance at the festival as 'unacceptable' given comments that he said were 'beyond the pale'. According to BBC Scotland, Liam Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, addressed the comments 10 minutes into the gig at Glasgow's O2 Academy. READ MORE He asked the crowd: 'What's your first minister's name?' before swearing and adding: 'They stopped us playing TRNSMT but they can't stop us playing Glasgow.' The band said the row around their cancellation from the festival had suggested their shows were 'hate-fests' but said they were about inclusion and love. The band sparked controversy after footage emerged that appeared to show Ó hAnnaidh allegedly holding a Hizbullah flag. Ó hAnnaidh was subsequently charged with a terrorist offence but has been released under unconditional bail. Ahead of TRNSMT, Police Scotland had warned their appearance could require a large police presence. (left to right) Mo Chara, Moglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí from Kneecap performing on stage at London's Finsbury Park. Photograph: Jeff Moore/PA Wire The band, which includes member JJ Ó Dochartaigh, who performs under the name DJ Próvaí, and Naoise Ó Cairealláin, who performs under the name Móglaí Bap, said they did not believe their cancellation from TRSNMT was the festival's fault. During their Glasgow show, they also led chants against Britain's prime minister Keir Starmer, who had called for the group to be cut from festivals in England. Tuesday's show at the O2 in Glasgow had sold out in 80 seconds and saw a number of people, including Ó Cairealláin, wear Celtic shirts, while many others donned the Irish tricolour. Pro-Palestine protesters also gathered outside of the festival and spoke in support of Kneecap. The band welcomed the activists, writing on social media: 'Some scenes outside the venue for tonight's gig in Glasgow. 'Hats off to the dozens of Palestine activists who've been here all day. 'Buzzing to play one of our favourite cities for a show that sold out in seconds.' During the O2 show, the band had made a number of jokes about Rangers FC, but told the audience they had 'more in common with a poor Rangers fan than a rich Celtic fan' as they called for working class unity. Ó hAnnaidh led critiques against Israel but said they were aimed at 'the government, not the people', the BBC said. The broadcaster reported the biggest reaction of the night came after Ó hAnnaidh said the UK government had 'done nothing for Ireland and nothing for Glasgow'. Police say a woman was arrested for failing to leave a licensed premises and a man and woman were arrested for breach of the peace. Kneecap's Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap during day four of Glastonbury festival 2025. Photograph:The band had previously attracted controversy after a clip that emerged from a gig in 2023 appeared to show a member saying: 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.' The Metropolitan Police decided last month not to prosecute any of the members of Belfast rap group over the alleged comments. Kneecap apologised to Katie Amess, the daughter of Tory MP David Amess who was murdered in 2021, as well as the family of Jo Cox, the Labour MP who was murdered in 2016. The group said their actions, including allegedly holding the Hizbullah flag, had been taken out of context. They claim the controversies are part of a smear campaign against them because of their vocal support for Palestine and criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, which they say is a genocide.− PA
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Festival organisers who cancelled Bob Vylan wanted to book Kneecap instead
The organisers of a festival in Greater Manchester where Bob Vylan was due to perform wanted to book Kneecap instead. The British punk rap duo who caused controversy at Glastonbury after chanting 'death to the IDF', referring to the Israel Defence Forces, were set to headline Radar Festival at Manchester's Victoria Warehouse on Saturday (July 5). However, earlier this week, the festival organisers announced on social media that the band would no longer be appearing at the three-day festival near Old Trafford. It comes amid anger over the BBC's decision to allow a livestream of Bob Vylan's set to continue. The band have also had their visas revoked for scheduled performances in the United States while police are investigating whether any crime was committed on stage. READ MORE: 'We should've stayed in Cheshire - putting us into Greater Manchester was the biggest mistake ever' READ MORE: One of two boys found dead on railway tracks named Speaking on a podcast recorded just hours after the announcement, one of the organisers of Radar Festival said that the decision to cancel the headliner was taken out of their hands and that, at one point, they considered booking Belfast band Kneecap instead. Sign up to the MEN Politics newsletter Due North here The Irish-language rap trio have also caused controversy in recent months with one their members, Liam Ó hAnnaidh who performs under the name Mo Chara, having been charged with a terror offence after allegedly displaying the flag of proscribed group Hezbollah. Appearing on an episode 2 Promoters, 1 Pod, Radar Festival co-founder Catherine Jackson-Smith revealed how the week unfolded. She told the podcast that she 'locked down' all social media last weekend following Bob Vylan's performance at Glastonbury festival. However, her team still got abuse over email, as well as a threatening phone call she personally received from an unknown number. The festival organiser said that she did not want to pull the headliner, but by the start of the week, it became clear she had no choice. She said: "We spoke to Bob Vylan themselves and their team left at that point and went through everything and that was categorically one of the most horrendous professional conversations that I've ever had." Ms Jackson-Smith added that, despite the venue being 'supportive' to the independent festival, she claims it was 'put very blunty' to her team that if Bob Vylan's performance went ahead as scheduled, the venue would not be allowed to open its doors on the Saturday (July 5). She said she genuinely didn't know 'who above' made the decision. She said: "What would you do? We've got 41 other bands that are travelling here. They've all paid for flights and Underoath are travelling from America for this gig. I didn't want to phone up Underoath and say, 'hey guys, never mind.' "Financially, that puts us in an incredibly precarious situation because, as I stress, because it's [fellow co-founder] Joe [James] and myself. That's a lot of liability at our feet. People have travelled thousands of miles. How can we turn around and say, 'right, well…'?" On Friday (July 4), it was revealed that Irish metal band The Scratch had pulled out of the festival 'in solidarity' with Bob Vylan. They were not the only band to pull out of the three-day event, but the progressive rock and metal festival still went ahead. Ms Jackson-Smith said that that the team had already started drawing up a list of alternative headliners they would try to book. As part of this process, they consulted a list of bands that openly came out against what was described as 'censorship' of Kneecap. However, she revealed that Mr James, who she founded the festival with, wanted to book Kneecap as the headliner instead. She said: "Joe's first response was, 'what if we did Kneecap as a secret set?' It makes a statement without having to make a statement and that is what we wanted to do." On Tuesday (July 2) a Trafford council spokesperson said: 'Over the last few days, Council officers have been involved in extensive discussions behind the scenes with police and the venue about concerns surrounding the forthcoming performance of Bob Vylan at Victoria Warehouse. We have now been advised that the promoter has cancelled the act and we believe this is the right decision.'
Daily Mirror
22-06-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Keir Starmer calls for Kneecap's Glastonbury set to be cancelled
Glastonbury 2025 will kick off for another year on June 25 where some of the world's biggest acts will got to the fields for the iconic festival Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for Kneecap to be pulled from the Glastonbury line-up. The band was due to perform in the 2025 festival, but the PM doesn't think it would be appropriate due to recent events. He made the statement after Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh appeared in court as he was charged with a terror offence. This was relating to him allegedly displaying a flag and making remarks in support of the proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a concert in November last year. Liam Ó hAnnaidh goes by the stage name Mo Chara and was bailed until later in the summer, which means he is able to play at Glastonbury. The festival will kick off on June 25 up until June 30. Starmer was asked by The Sun if he thinks Kneecap should perform at the annual festival. He 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." The band are scheduled to perform on the West Holts Stage on Saturday. Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh, who are the other members of the band, have supported O hAnnaidh since the incident. Speaking at court, they said: "For anybody going to Glastonbury, you can see us there at 4pm on Saturday. "If you can't be there we'll be on the BBC. Most importantly: free, free Palestine." Liam Ó hAnnaidh has denied the allegations. Shortly after the charges, the band said in a statement: ""We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves. This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction. We are not the story. Genocide is. As they profit from genocide, they use an 'anti-terror law' against us for displaying a flag thrown on stage." Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove summarised the allegations, saying: "It's not about Mr Óg Ó hAnnaidh's support for the people of Palestine or his criticism of Israel. "He's well within his rights to voice his opinions and solidarity, as is anybody else. The allegation in this case is a wholly different thing and deals with a video recording showing that, in November of last year, Mr O hAnnaidh wore and displayed the flag of Hezbollah, a proscribed terrorist organisation, while saying 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'," he added. Starmer's comments came as Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said she thought the BBC "should not be showing" Kneecap's performance at the festival. Badenoch said in an X post: "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." A BBC spokesperson said: "As the broadcast partner, the BBC will be bringing audiences extensive music coverage from Glastonbury, with artists booked by the festival organisers. Whilst the BBC doesn't ban artists, our plans will ensure that our programming will meet our editorial guidelines. Decisions about our output will be made in the lead up to the festival." The Mirror have contacted Glastonbury for comment. Glastonbury is due to kick off this Wednesday where some of the world's biggest music artists will perform. Fans of the event think they have worked out that a secret act could be taking to the stage. An American rock legend arrived in London just days ahead of things kicking off at Worthy Farm has people convinced the singer's band is set to play the secret set. The iconic music festival is returning on Wednesday, with British pop band The 1975, folk star Neil Young and his band the Chrome Hearts, and US pop singer Olivia Rodrigo headlining. Fans are convinced Patchwork are in fact The Foo Fighters, thanks to Dave Grohl being spotted in London recently. He was seen backstage at the Yeah Yeah Yeahs gig at the Royal Albert Hall. He is no stranger to surprise Glastonbury sets. In 2023 his band performed at the Somerset festival under the alias The Churn Ups which was their first major UK gig since the death of the band's drummer Taylor Hawkins in 2022.
RTÉ News
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Kneecap's legal team for court battle to include Gerry Conlon lawyer
Irish rap trio Kneecap have named the legal team which will defend band member Liam Ó hAnnaidh against a terror charge. The rapper, who performs under the name Mo Chara, will be represented by a team that includes Gareth Peirce, solicitor for Gerry Conlon and the Guildford Four and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during his fight against US extradition, and Rosalind Comyn, who has represented Extinction Rebellion protesters in court. The 27-year-old was charged by postal requisition over the alleged display of a Hezbollah flag at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, in November last year. His legal team also includes Darragh Mackin from Phoenix Law, Brenda Campbell KC, Jude Bunting KC and Blinne Ní Ghrálaigh KC. Mr Mackin was the solicitor for Sarah Ewart, whose successful legal challenge helped to usher in the decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland, while Ms Campbell was the defence barrister in the collapsed case against Seamus Daly, who was accused of murdering people in the IRA bomb attack in Omagh in 1998. Mr Bunting acted for non-profit company Liberty in the Stansted 15's successful conviction appeal after they broke into Stansted Airport to stop a plane deporting people to Africa, which was a case Ms Ní Ghrálaigh also worked on. In an Instagram post the group said: "The British establishment is conducting a campaign against Kneecap which is to be fought in Westminster Magistrates Court… We are ready for this fight. We are proud to have such a strong legal team with us." In May, the Metropolitan Police said Kneecap were being investigated by counter-terrorism police after videos emerged allegedly showing the band calling for the deaths of MPs and shouting "up Hamas, up Hezbollah". They apologised to the families of murdered MPs but said footage of the incident had been "exploited and weaponised". They also said they have "never supported" Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK. In 2024, the band released an eponymous film starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender which is a fictionalised retelling of how the band came together and follows the Belfast group on their mission to save their mother tongue through music. Formed in 2017, the group, made up of O hAnnaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin and J. J. Ó Dochartaigh, are known for their provocative lyrics and merchandise as well as their championing of the Irish language. Their best-known tracks include Get Your Brits Out and Better Way To Live, featuring Grian Chatten from Fontaines D.C., and 3Cag. O hAnnaidh is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 18 June.
BreakingNews.ie
13-06-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Kneecap's legal team for court battle to include Julian Assange lawyer
Belfast rap trio Kneecap have named the legal team which will defend band member Liam Ó hAnnaidh against a terror charge. Rapper Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, will be represented by a team that includes Gareth Peirce, solicitor for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange during his fight against US extradition, and Rosalind Comyn, who has represented Extinction Rebellion protesters in court. Advertisement The 27-year-old was charged by postal requisition over the alleged display of a Hezbollah flag at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, in November last year. His legal team also includes Darragh Mackin from Phoenix Law, Brenda Campbell KC, Jude Bunting KC and Blinne Ní Ghralaigh KC. View this post on Instagram A post shared by KNEECAP (@kneecap32) Mr Mackin was the solicitor for Sarah Ewart, whose successful legal challenge helped to usher in the decriminalisation of abortion in Northern Ireland, while Ms Campbell was the defence barrister in the collapsed case against Seamus Daly, who was accused of murdering people in the IRA bomb attack in Omagh in 1998. Mr Bunting acted for non-profit company Liberty in the Stansted 15's successful conviction appeal after they broke into Stansted Airport to stop a plane deporting people to Africa, which was a case Ms Ní Ghralaigh also worked on. Advertisement In an Instagram post, the group said: 'The British establishment is conducting a campaign against Kneecap which is to be fought in Westminster Magistrates Court… We are ready for this fight. We are proud to have such a strong legal team with us.' In May, the Metropolitan Police said Kneecap were being investigated by counter-terrorism police after videos emerged allegedly showing the band calling for the deaths of MPs and shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. They apologised to the families of murdered MPs but said footage of the incident had been 'exploited and weaponised'. They also said they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK. Advertisement In 2024, the band released an eponymous film starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender which is a fictionalised retelling of how the band came together and follows the Belfast group on their mission to save their mother tongue through music. Formed in 2017, the group, made up of Ó hAnnaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin and JJ Ó Dochartaigh, are known for their provocative lyrics and merchandise as well as their championing of the Irish language. Their best-known tracks include Get Your Brits Out, Better Way To Live, featuring Grian Chatten from Fontaines DC, and 3Cag. Ó hAnnaidh is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 18th. Advertisement His lawyers have been approached for comment.
