Just days out from their hotly debated Glastonbury slot, Kneecap have released a searing public service announcement. And they’re not mincing words.
“Kneecap is not the story. Genocide in Gaza is,” reads the caption alongside a new video the Irish trio posted across socials tonight (June 26).
Titled See It. Say It. Censored., the clip plays like a glitchy, lo-fi anti-propaganda broadcast – fusing audio from medics, UN reports, and activist testimony with stark visuals that push back against the mainstream media vacuum. In it, the group demands urgent international action, calling out what they describe as the UK government’s complicity and doubling down on their support for Palestine.
“This isn’t about us,” they write. “This is about ending the silence. This is about Gaza.”
It’s a bold move – but then again, bold is what Kneecap do. The timing isn’t accidental either: they hit Glastonbury’s West Holts stage this Saturday (June 28) at 4pm, following weeks of political backlash, including calls from Prime Minister Keir Starmer himself to axe them from the bill. And still, they’re playing.
Last week, co-organiser Emily Eavis responded to the drama with characteristic cool: “Everyone is welcome here.” Her dad, Glasto founder Michael Eavis, went one better: “People that don’t agree with the politics of the event can go somewhere else.”
The controversy stems from a November gig in London where footage showed Kneecap allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag – a moment that triggered a terrorism charge against member Mo Chara (real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh), who appeared in court last week and is currently out on unconditional bail.
Support has come in thick and fast from artists and campaigners alike – from Fontaines D.C.’s Grian Chatten calling the charge “a witch hunt”, to Johnny Marr and Love Music Hate Racism backing the trio’s right to speak out.
Kneecap’s set will still be covered by the BBC – possibly with edits – but if you’re on-site, expect it raw and uncut. Saturday, West Holts. Don’t miss it.
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