Kneecap Still Set to Play Glastonbury Despite Recent Controversy

Kneecap are still playing Glasto—and no amount of pearl-clutching or police pressure is stopping it.

The Belfast rap trio, known for their hardline politics and sharper-than-glass satire, will take to the West Holts Stage on June 28, despite mounting controversy. One of their members, Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, is currently facing terror charges in the UK after an incident at a North London venue last November. It’s the kind of headline that would derail most acts. But if there’s one thing Kneecap have built their name on, it’s refusing to back down.

Videos surfaced recently showing the band allegedly making incendiary comments about British MPs and shouting slogans interpreted as pro-Hamas and pro-Hezbollah—groups the UK government classifies as terrorist organisations. Kneecap, for their part, say they’ve never supported either and claim the footage has been taken out of context to fuel a witch hunt. They did apologise to families of MPs caught in the crossfire of public outrage, but doubled down on their right to speak out.

Unsurprisingly, not everyone’s sticking with them. Scotland’s TRNSMT festival pulled them from the bill, citing “safety concerns.” Kneecap responded by booking their own headline show at Glasgow’s O2 Academy two days earlier—already sold out. Message received.

This isn’t the first time the group’s political messaging has ruffled establishment feathers. Their Coachella set in April included visuals referencing Gaza, sparking backlash and gig cancellations in Germany. But cancelling Kneecap has literally become a losing game. Their fanbase has only gotten louder.

Love them or loathe them, Kneecap clearly aren’t playing it safe, they’re not going anywhere. The fact they’re still on the Glastonbury lineup says more than any statement could. In a world where punk posturing is often reduced to branded rebellion, Kneecap remain one of the few acts still willing to light the fuse.

So, I guess I’ll be seeing you in the mud.