Kneecap hit back at Starmer in highly-charged Glastonbury set

Covering the Glastonbury music festival this year was Mark Savage, who had the opportunity to witness an electrifying performance by Belfast rap group Kneecap at the West Holts stage. The band, known for their Irish-language music, made headlines when rapper Mo Chara was charged with a terrorism offense for allegedly displaying the flag of Hezbollah at a previous gig. Despite the controversy, Kneecap took to the stage and delivered a charged performance that drew one of the biggest crowds of the festival.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s comments about Kneecap’s appearance at Glastonbury being “not appropriate” only added to the anticipation surrounding the band’s set. Onstage, the group acknowledged the controversy, thanking Glastonbury for their support and addressing the prime minister’s objections. The atmosphere was intense as thousands gathered to watch Kneecap perform, with the West Holts field being fenced off 45 minutes before their set.

During their performance, Kneecap’s music, rooted in club and drug culture, clashed with their politically charged statements. The band openly criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza, expressing solidarity with Palestine and urging fans to support Palestinian causes. This led to chants against Sir Keir and the UK government’s arms sales to Israel, further heightening the political undertones of the performance.

Kneecap’s Glastonbury set, which featured raucous electro-rap music, showcased their unapologetic stance on political issues. Despite facing backlash and controversy, the band remained defiant and used their platform to advocate for causes they believe in. The performance caused a stir for the BBC, which had to navigate broadcasting the set while upholding its editorial guidelines. With their bold statements and high-energy music, Kneecap left a lasting impression on this year’s Glastonbury festival

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