Government officials in the UK have come forward demanding the removal of the band Kneecap from summer festival line-ups. This request comes after a video surfaced showing a member of the Irish rap trio allegedly making controversial statements, including “Kill your local MP” during a performance in November 2023.
Kneecap has refuted the allegations, claiming they are the victims of a “smear campaign” following their pro-Palestine messaging at Coachella. Despite their defense, key government figures, including a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, have denounced the comments as “completely unacceptable”.
Labour MP David Taylor has reached out to Glastonbury Festival, urging them to remove Kneecap from their lineup to uphold values of peace, unity, and social responsibility. Additionally, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, who previously prevented Kneecap from receiving an arts grant, has insisted on their immediate removal from all BBC playlists and this year’s Glastonbury Festival.
The band’s controversial remarks have also prompted calls from Scottish First Minister John Swinney to have them removed from Glasgow’s TRNSMT Festival lineup. In response to the backlash, Kneecap issued an apology via Twitter to the families of murdered MPs David Amess and Jo Cox, expressing regret for any hurt caused and clarifying that their message has always been one of love, inclusion, and hope
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