In the midst of an ongoing controversy and legal challenges, Irish-language rap group Kneecap delivered a compelling performance to tens of thousands at the Glastonbury Festival on Saturday. This performance comes amidst criticism from British politicians and a terrorism-related charge against one of its members.
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known on stage as Mo Chara, faces a charge under the Terrorism Act for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a London concert in November. Performing under his anglicized name, Liam O’Hanna, he is currently on unconditional bail as he awaits a further court appearance in August.
“Glastonbury, I’m a free man!” declared Ó hAnnaidh as Kneecap began their performance at Glastonbury’s West Holts field, which can accommodate approximately 30,000 spectators. Palestinian flags were prominently displayed among the crowd as the band opened with an audio sequence of news clips documenting the band’s critics and legal battles.
Through high-energy performances that incited a massive mosh pit, the band led chants of “Free Palestine” and “Free Mo Chara” from the enthusiastic audience. They also launched a profane chant targeting U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who previously voiced disapproval over Kneecap’s Glastonbury participation.
The trio expressed gratitude to festival organizers Michael and Emily Eavis for resisting efforts to cancel the performance. They also acknowledged Palestine Action, a protest group facing a potential ban under terrorism laws due to its members’ actions at a Royal Air Force base.
Kneecap, a Belfast-based trio, is recognized for its rebellious energy, satirical lyrics, and use of symbols linked to the Irish republican movement, which aims to unify Northern Ireland with the Republic of Ireland.
Northern Ireland’s troubled past saw over 3,600 deaths across three decades during conflicts involving Irish republican militants, Loyalist militias, and U.K. security forces. The group’s name, Kneecap, is derived from a harsh form of punishment – a shooting in the leg – used against informers and drug dealers by paramilitary groups.
Criticism has shadowed the group due to explicit lyrics, drug-related references, and political statements, particularly after videos emerged allegedly showing the band chanting support for militant groups and inciting violence against lawmakers.
The group maintains it does not endorse Hezbollah, Hamas, or violence, while Ó hAnnaidh asserts that he unknowingly picked up a flag thrown on stage. They accuse critics of attempting to silence them due to their stance on the Palestinian war in Gaza.
A performance at California’s Coachella Festival in April, where they accused Israel of genocide against Palestinians with U.S. collaboration, sparked demands for their U.S. visas to be revoked.
Amidst this controversy, several Kneecap concerts have been canceled. However, fan Gemma Gibson from Newcastle defended the group’s right to perform at Glastonbury, emphasizing the importance of free expression and standing up for justice at such platforms.
Although the BBC chose not to broadcast Kneecap’s set live, plans are in place to make it available online later.
With around 200,000 attendees, Glastonbury remains the U.K.’s foremost summer music festival, showcasing nearly 4,000 acts on 120 stages. The weekend’s lineup features notable names including Neil Young, Charli XCX, Rod Stewart, and Olivia Rodrigo, among others.
Saturday’s schedule also included a surprise appearance by Britpop legends Pulp, marking 30 years since their first Glastonbury show. Additional highlights have featured unexpected performances from artists such as New Zealand’s Lorde, and an emotional comeback by Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi, after a hiatus due to Tourette syndrome-related challenges.