Kneecap say they have been “removed” from playing at a music festival in Scotland this July.
It comes after the organisers of TRNSMT said the group, made up of Liam Og O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain, and JJ O Dochartaigh, will “no longer perform” at the event following “safety concerns” raised by the police.
Last Wednesday, the Metropolitan Police said O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence over the alleged display of a Hezbollah flag at a gig in Kentish Town, north London, in November 2024.
The hip hop trio from Belfast had been due to perform at the Glasgow festival on Friday, 11 July.
However, in a statement posted on social media, the rappers said they will instead play their own solo headline show at the 02 Academy in the Scottish city three days before TRNSMT.
The Irish language group said: “To the thousands of people who bought tickets, flights and hotels to see us play, we are sorry…it is out of our hands. 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 to make up for it, we will be at your O2 Academy on Tuesday, 8 July.”
They also quoted a statement from TRNSMT, which a festival spokeswoman confirmed via email, saying: “Due to concerns expressed by the police about safety at the event, Kneecap will no longer perform at TRNSMT on Friday, 11 July.
“We thank fans for their understanding.”
Later on Wednesday, the group shared a news story on X which said they had “pulled out” and added: “Kneecap didn’t ‘pull out’ of TRNSMT – Kneecap were removed.”
What have the police said?
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Any decision on the line-up at TRNSMT is for the organisers and there was no prior consultation with Police Scotland before acts were booked.
“Officers have highlighted the potential reaction of such a large audience to this band would require a significant policing operation in order to support the delivery of a safe event.
“We have also passed on information from the public around safety concerns to allow organisers to make an informed decision on the running of the festival.”
Kneecap member faces terror charge
Last week, the Metropolitan Police charged O hAnnaidh, 27, with displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah.
Hezbollah, an Islamist militant group based in Lebanon, is a proscribed terror organisation in the UK.
He is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 18 June.
Liam O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara. Pic: Reuters
Kneecap release new song
On Friday, Kneecap shared a link to their new song The Recap – which opens with Sky News presenter Wilfred Frost reporting about the counter terror police investigation – on Instagram, linking to their WhatsApp channel.
Last year, Kneecap won a discrimination case against the UK government in Belfast High Court after former business secretary Kemi Badenoch tried to refuse them a £14,250 funding award when she was a minister.
Ms Badenoch, who is now leader of the Conservative Party, has called for Kneecap to be banned and suggested they should be dropped from the Glastonbury Festival line-up. Some other politicians have made the same demand.
The new track mocks Ms Badenoch’s attempts to block their arts funding and the Conservative Party’s election loss. It features DJ Mozey.
