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Daily Mirror
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Inside Kneecap's Glastonbury controversy as band will perform despite axe calls
Kneecap will perform at Glastonbury on Saturday afternoon as they brush off the controversy surrounding them being on the lineup and calls for them to be removed Irish rap trio Kneecap will be taking to the stage at Glastonbury for their highly anticipated set this weekend, despite multiple calls for them to be axed from the lineup. The group have defiantly said they will continue to perform amid the backlash against them. It comes after bandmember Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig last year. He appeared in court earlier this month, with the band's scheduled appearance at Glastonbury put in doubt and calls from the Prime Minister for them to be booted off. However, Kneecap, which is also made up of Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh, will still perform on the West Holts Stage on Saturday. Speaking at court, the band 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." Kneecap have dropped out of this year's TRNSMT Festival in Glasgow amid the controversy. In a statement on social media, Kneecap said: "'Due to concerns expressed by the Police about safety at the event, Kneecap can no longer perform at TRNSMT. To the thousands of people who bought tickets, flights and hotels to see us play, we are sorry... it is out of our hands." They continued: "Glasgow has always been a huge city for us. We've played there many many times, with no issues - ever. Make of that what you will. To try and make up for it, we will be at your O2 Academy on Tuesday July 8th." Arrest In May, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who uses the stage name Mo Chara, was charged over the alleged display of a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London last November. The band strongly deny the charges brought against Óg Ó hAnnaidh and said in a lengthy statement that they will "vehemently defend" themselves against what they claimed was "political policing". The court heard the 27-year-old is "well within his rights" to voice his opinions on Israel and Palestine, but the alleged incident is a "wholly different thing". Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said: "Of course, support for the one is not the same as support for the other. So the issue in this case, and the reason it has come to court, it centres on the apparent support by Mr Óg Ó hAnnaidh of a proscribed terrorist organisation." Óg Ó hAnnaidh was released on unconditional bail until his next hearing at the same court on August 20. Slot in doubt Just days after Liam was charged with a terror offence, the band performed at London's Wide Awake Festival. On stage, the group admitted their set very almost got cancelled at the last minute and revealed pressure was mounting on Glastonbury to pull their slot at Worthy Farm. Liam spoke of his arrest as he told the crowd: "I had an interview with counter terrorism and within a day they charged me. And the reason it was that quick was because Glastonbury is just around the corner, they're trying to silence us." "Glastonbury is just around the corner," the group stated before claiming "they're trying to stop" them doing a similar thing to what they did at Coachella. "F**k 'em," one of the trio said to a wild applause from the crowd. At Coachella, which is often dubbed the US version of Glastonbury, the band displayed banners that read: ' Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people', 'It is being enabled by the US government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes' and 'F*** Israel. Free Palestine'. Prime Minister's call Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for Kneecap to be pulled from the Glastonbury line-up. 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." Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch also 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." Kneecap replied to the Prime Minister's comments about them on social media, fuming: 'You know what's 'not appropriate' Keir?! Arming a f*****g genocide… solidarity with [Palestinian Action]." Petitions More than 30 "music industry individuals" are said to have signed a secret letter, calling on Kneecap's Glastonbury appearance to be pulled. DJ Toddla T claimed he had seen a 'private and confidential letter' signed by '30 individuals from within the music industry', who urged Glastonbury organisers to remove Kneecap. However, the band has received support from 100 other musicians including The Smiths' Johnny Marr who said he respects artists"who use their platform to speak out against injustice" and called for an "end to the atrocities and a free Palestine." He joins the likes of Fontaines D.C., Lankum, The Pogues, Paul Weller, Pulp, Primal Scream and Massive Attack in showing their support to Kneecap. Glastonbury organiser defends Kneecap Glastonbury boss Emily Eavis has broken her silence surrounding controversial Irish band Kneecap. The group from Belfast hit the headlines after making pro-Palestine comments at Coachella in April after band member, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, was charged with a terror offence for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a London gig in November. Though Liam has been released on bail, Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said it was "not appropriate" for the Guilty Conscience stars to perform at Glastonbury on the West Holts Stage at 4pm on Saturday. However, giving her opinion on the divisive band, Emily, said "everyone is welcome". Talking to the BBC as the festival flung open its doors to thousands of revellers today, she was asked: "You are very used to people picking over every aspect of the lineup but the Prime Minister got involved this time, saying it wasn't appropriate for Kneecap to be playing, how have you responded to that?" Emily replied: "We haven't responded to that. At the moment we're just focusing on bringing the best festival to the people who want to come here. We're incredibly lucky that so many people want to come to Glastonbury, we have millions of people who want to come." However, she was then probed: "But it's quite a thing for the Prime Minister to comment, how did you react? How did you feel?" Looking somewhat irritated, Emily said: "I know, it is, there have been a lot of really heated topics this year, but we remain a platform for many, many artists from all over the world and, you know, everyone is welcome here."
The Hindu
18-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Kneecap rapper in court on terror charge over Hezbollah flag
A rapper with the provocative Irish group Kneecap appeared in court on Wednesday (June 18, 2025), charged with a terror offence for allegedly supporting Hezbollah, as hundreds of cheering fans gathered outside. Liam O'Hanna, 27, known by his stage name Mo Chara, was charged in May after being accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag during a London concert in November. He appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (June 18, 2025) wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh scarf around his neck, and black sunglasses. Shouts of "Free Palestine" and "Kneecap" rang out from the crowd outside, as well as from people inside the court building. The Iran-backed Lebanese force Hezbollah and the Palestinian militant group Hamas are banned in the U.K., and it is an offence to show support for them. Kneecap, which recently grabbed headlines for statements denouncing the war in Gaza and against Israel, has denied the charge. "We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves. This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction," the Belfast band wrote on X last month. The court released O'Hanna on unconditional bail on Wednesday (June 18, 2025) and set the next hearing for August 20. He spoke only to confirm his name and address. Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove said the case was "not about Mr. O'Hanna's support for the people of Palestine or his criticism of Israel". "He is well within his rights to voice his opinions and his solidarity," Mr. Bisgrove said. Instead, the prosecutor said, the case was about Mr. O'Hanna wearing and displaying "the flag of Hezbollah, a proscribed terrorist organisation, while allegedly saying 'Up Hamas, up Hezbollah'". The raucous punk-rap group has said the video that led to the charge was taken out of context. Mr. O'Hanna told London's Wide Awake Festival in May that the charge was an attempt to "silence us" after several of their performances were cancelled. A performance in Scotland was pulled over safety concerns, various shows in Germany were axed, and U.K. government ministers had suggested the organisers of the upcoming Glastonbury festival should reconsider the band's appearance. The singer's defence team argued that the charge fell outside a six-month time limit, as the concert was performed on November 21, and he was charged on May 21. Unfazed Daring provocateurs to their fans, dangerous extremists to their detractors, the group's members rap in the Irish language as well as English. Formed in 2017, the group is no stranger to controversy. Their lyrics are filled with references to drugs, they have repeatedly clashed with the U.K.'s previous Conservative government and have vocally opposed British rule in Northern Ireland. Last year, the group was catapulted to international fame by a semi-fictional film based on them that scooped multiple awards including at the Sundance festival. O'Hanna, Liam Og O Hannaidh in Gaelic, was charged last month after London's Metropolitan Police investigated a video from the festival in Kentish Town, north London, in November 2024. One of the supporters outside the court on Wednesday (June 18, 2025), Sadia Kokni, denounced the charge as "ridiculous". "Kneecap actually represent every one of us. They speak for us, you know, because everything they feel, every injustice that they feel, we feel," the 44-year-old told AFP. "We came to defend the right to protest and freedom of speech," said banker, Caitlin McClure, 24. "I'm a fan of Kneecap, their music means something to me. I'm Scottish and we are not independent either." The group apologised this year after a 2023 video emerged appearing to show one singer calling for the death of British Conservative MPs. Rich Peppiatt, who directed the award-winning semi-autobiographical film about Kneecap, told AFP this week that the group was "unfazed" by the legal charge and controversies. "Even through all the controversy at the moment, they just shrug their shoulders and get on with it," Mr. Peppiatt said. "They've always been controversial at a local level, and they've always bounced back from it," he added. Prominent British musicians and groups including Paul Weller, Massive Attack, Brian Eno, Pulp and Primal Scream have defended the group and denounced a "concerted attempt to censor and de-platform Kneecap".
The Sun
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Kneecap rapper in court on terror charge over Hezbollah flag
LONDON: A member of the provocative Irish rap group Kneecap, charged with a terror offence for allegedly showing support for Hezbollah, was due to appear in a London court Wednesday. Liam O'Hanna, 27, known by his stage name Mo Chara, was charged in May after being accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag during a London concert last November. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court. The Iran-backed Lebanese force Hezbollah and the Palestinian militant group Hamas are banned in the UK and it is an offence to show support for them. Kneecap, which has recently grabbed headlines for brazen statements denouncing the war in Gaza and against Israel, has denied the charge and called for fans to show up outside court and support the singer. 'We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves. This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction,' the Belfast band wrote on X last month. The raucous punk-rap group has also said the video which led to the charge was taken out of context. O'Hanna told the audience at South London's Wide Awake Festival in May that the charge was an attempt to 'silence us' after several of their performances were cancelled. A performance in Scotland was pulled over safety concerns, various shows in Germany were axed, and the UK government ministers had suggested Glastonbury should reconsider their appearance at the popular festival. Daring provocateurs to their fans, dangerous extremists to their detractors, the group rap in the Irish language as well as English. Formed in 2017, the group is no stranger to controversy. Their lyrics are filled with references to drugs, they have repeatedly clashed with the UK's previous Conservative government and have vocally opposed British rule in Northern Ireland. Last year, the group was catapulted to international fame by a semi-fictional film based on them that scooped multiple awards including at the Sundance festival. 'Unfazed' O'Hanna, Liam Og O Hannaidh in Gaelic, was charged last month after London's Metropolitan Police investigated a video from the festival in Kentish Town, north London, in November 2024. He is accused of displaying a flag 'in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation', police said. Other videos circulating online appear to show a band member shouting 'Up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. The group also apologised this year after a 2023 video emerged appearing to show one singer calling for the death of British Conservative MPs. Rich Peppiatt, who directed the film about Kneecap, told AFP this week the group was 'unfazed' by the legal charge and controversies. 'Even through all the controversy at the moment, they just shrug their shoulders and get on with it,' Peppiatt said. 'They've always been controversial at a local level, and they've always bounced back from it,' he added. In its statement following the charge, the group said: '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.' 'We are not the story. Genocide is,' it added. Israel has repeatedly denied that it is committing genocide in its offensive in Gaza, which it claims aims to wipe out Hamas. Prominent British musicians and groups including Paul Weller, Massive Attack, Brian Eno, Pulp and Primal Scream have defended the group and signed a letter denouncing a 'concerted attempt to censor and de-platform Kneecap'. Campaign group 'Love Music Hate Racism' called for supporters to 'defend Mo Chara on 18 June outside Westminster Magistrates Court'.
Straits Times
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Kneecap rapper in court on terror charge over Hezbollah flag
Member of Kneecap Liam O'Hanna was charged in May after being accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag during a London concert last November. PHOTO: REUTERS LONDON - A member of the provocative Irish rap group Kneecap, charged with a terror offence for allegedly showing support for Hezbollah, was due to appear in a London court June 18. Liam O'Hanna, 27, known by his stage name Mo Chara, was charged in May after being accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag during a London concert last November. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court. The Iran-backed Lebanese force Hezbollah and the Palestinian militant group Hamas are banned in the UK and it is an offence to show support for them. Kneecap, which has recently grabbed headlines for brazen statements denouncing the war in Gaza and against Israel, has denied the charge and called for fans to show up outside court and support the singer. 'We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves. This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction,' the Belfast band wrote on X last month. The raucous punk-rap group has also said the video which led to the charge was taken out of context. Mr O'Hanna told the audience at South London's Wide Awake Festival in May that the charge was an attempt to 'silence us' after several of their performances were cancelled. Festivalgoers fly a Palestine flag as Liam O'Hanna performs with bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O'Dochartaigh, onstage during Wide Awake Festival 2025 at Brockwell Park in south London on May 23. PHOTO: AFP A performance in Scotland was pulled over safety concerns, various shows in Germany were axed, and the UK government ministers had suggested Glastonbury should reconsider their appearance at the popular festival. Daring provocateurs to their fans, dangerous extremists to their detractors, the group rap in the Irish language as well as English. Formed in 2017, the group is no stranger to controversy. Their lyrics are filled with references to drugs, they have repeatedly clashed with the UK's previous Conservative government and have vocally opposed British rule in Northern Ireland. Last year, the group was catapulted to international fame by a semi-fictional film based on them that scooped multiple awards including at the Sundance festival. 'Unfazed' Mr O'Hanna, Liam Og O Hannaidh in Gaelic, was charged last month after London's Metropolitan Police investigated a video from the festival in Kentish Town, north London, in November 2024. He is accused of displaying a flag 'in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation', police said. Other videos circulating online appear to show a band member shouting 'Up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. The group also apologised this year after a 2023 video emerged appearing to show one singer calling for the death of British Conservative MPs. Rich Peppiatt, who directed the film about Kneecap, told AFP this week the group was 'unfazed' by the legal charge and controversies. Liam O'Hanna (second from left) performs with bandmates Naoise O Caireallain (left) and JJ O'Dochartaigh, beneath a 'Free Palestine' sign onstage during Wide Awake Festival 2025 at Brockwell Park in south London on May 23. PHOTO: AFP 'Even through all the controversy at the moment, they just shrug their shoulders and get on with it,' Mr Peppiatt said. 'They've always been controversial at a local level, and they've always bounced back from it,' he added. In its statement following the charge, the group said: '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.' 'We are not the story. Genocide is,' it added. Israel has repeatedly denied that it is committing genocide in its offensive in Gaza, which it claims aims to wipe out Hamas. Prominent British musicians and groups including Paul Weller, Massive Attack, Brian Eno, Pulp and Primal Scream have defended the group and signed a letter denouncing a 'concerted attempt to censor and de-platform Kneecap'. Campaign group Love Music Hate Racism called for supporters to 'defend Mo Chara on June 18 outside Westminster Magistrates Court'. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
France 24
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- France 24
Kneecap rapper in court on terror charge over Hezbollah flag
Liam O'Hanna, 27, known by his stage name Mo Chara, was charged in May after being accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag during a London concert last November. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court. The Iran-backed Lebanese force Hezbollah and the Palestinian militant group Hamas are banned in the UK and it is an offence to show support for them. Kneecap, which has recently grabbed headlines for brazen statements denouncing the war in Gaza and against Israel, has denied the charge and called for fans to show up outside court and support the singer. "We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves. This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction," the Belfast band wrote on X last month. The raucous punk-rap group has also said the video which led to the charge was taken out of context. O'Hanna told the audience at South London's Wide Awake Festival in May that the charge was an attempt to "silence us" after several of their performances were cancelled. A performance in Scotland was pulled over safety concerns, various shows in Germany were axed, and the UK government ministers had suggested Glastonbury should reconsider their appearance at the popular festival. Daring provocateurs to their fans, dangerous extremists to their detractors, the group rap in the Irish language as well as English. Formed in 2017, the group is no stranger to controversy. Their lyrics are filled with references to drugs, they have repeatedly clashed with the UK's previous Conservative government and have vocally opposed British rule in Northern Ireland. Last year, the group was catapulted to international fame by a semi-fictional film based on them that scooped multiple awards including at the Sundance festival. 'Unfazed' O'Hanna, Liam Og O Hannaidh in Gaelic, was charged last month after London's Metropolitan Police investigated a video from the festival in Kentish Town, north London, in November 2024. He is accused of displaying a flag "in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation", police said. Other videos circulating online appear to show a band member shouting "Up Hamas, up Hezbollah". The group also apologised this year after a 2023 video emerged appearing to show one singer calling for the death of British Conservative MPs. Rich Peppiatt, who directed the film about Kneecap, told AFP this week the group was "unfazed" by the legal charge and controversies. "Even through all the controversy at the moment, they just shrug their shoulders and get on with it," Peppiatt said. "They've always been controversial at a local level, and they've always bounced back from it," he added. In its statement following the charge, the group said: "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." "We are not the story. Genocide is," it added. Israel has repeatedly denied that it is committing genocide in its offensive in Gaza, which it claims aims to wipe out Hamas. Prominent British musicians and groups including Paul Weller, Massive Attack, Brian Eno, Pulp and Primal Scream have defended the group and signed a letter denouncing a "concerted attempt to censor and de-platform Kneecap". Campaign group "Love Music Hate Racism" called for supporters to "defend Mo Chara on 18 June outside Westminster Magistrates Court".
