J. J. O Dochartaigh from the hip hop trio Kneecap performs throughout the Glastonbury Competition in Worthy Farm, Somerset, England, Saturday, June 28, 2025.
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PILTON, England — Irish-language rap group Kneecap gave an impassioned efficiency for tens of hundreds of followers on Saturday on the Glastonbury Competition regardless of criticism by British politicians and a terror cost for one of many trio.
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs underneath the stage title Mo Chara, has been charged underneath the Terrorism Act with supporting a proscribed group for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a live performance in London in November. The rapper, who was charged underneath the anglicized model of his title, Liam O’Hanna, is on unconditional bail earlier than an extra courtroom listening to in August.
“Glastonbury, I am a free man!” Ó hAnnaidh shouted as Kneecap took the stage at Glastonbury’s West Holts area, which holds about 30,000 individuals. Dozens of Palestinian flags flew within the capability crowd because the present opened with an audio montage of reports clips referring to the band’s critics and authorized woes.
Between high-energy numbers that had followers forming a big mosh pit, the band members led the viewers in chants of “Free Palestine” and “Free Mo Chara.” Additionally they aimed an expletive-laden chant at U.Ok. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has stated he did not assume it was “acceptable” for Kneecap to play Glastonbury.
Liam Og, left, and Naoise O Caireallain of the hip hop trio Kneecap carry out throughout the Glastonbury Competition in Worthy Farm, Somerset, England, Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Scott A Garfitt/Invision/AP)
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The trio thanked pageant organizers Michael and Emily Eavis for resisting stress to cancel Kneecap’s gig and gave a shoutout to Palestine Motion, a protest group that the British authorities plans to ban underneath terrorism legal guidelines after its members vandalized planes on a Royal Air Power base.
The Belfast trio is thought for anarchic power, satirical lyrics and use of symbolism related to the Irish republican motion, which seeks to unite Northern Eire, presently a part of the U.Ok., with the Republic of Eire.
Greater than 3,600 individuals have been killed throughout three a long time of violence in Northern Eire involving Irish republican militants, pro-British Loyalist militias and the U.Ok. safety forces. Kneecap takes its title from a brutal punishment — taking pictures within the leg — that was dealt out by paramilitary teams to informers and drug sellers.
The flag of Palestine is waved in a crowd of festivalgoers on the hip hop trio Kneecap’s efficiency throughout the Glastonbury Competition in Worthy Farm, Somerset, England, Saturday, June 28, 2025.
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The group has confronted criticism for lyrics laden with expletives and drug references, and for political statements, particularly since movies emerged allegedly exhibiting the band shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” and calling on individuals to kill lawmakers.
Members of the group say they do not help Hezbollah or Hamas, nor condone violence, and Ó hAnnaidh says he picked up a flag that was thrown onto the stage with out realizing what it represented. Kneecap has accused critics of making an attempt to silence the band due to its help for the Palestinian trigger all through the struggle in Gaza.
A efficiency on the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Competition in California in April, the place the band accused Israel of committing genocide in opposition to the Palestinians, enabled by the U.S. authorities, sparked requires the rappers’ U.S. visas to be revoked.
Charli xcx performs throughout the Glastonbury Competition in Worthy Farm, Somerset, England, Saturday, June 28, 2025.
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A number of Kneecap gigs have since been canceled because of the controversy.
However fan Gemma Gibson, from Newcastle in northeast England, stated not permitting the group to play “can be utterly in opposition to the whole lot that Glastonbury stands for.
“I believe it is so necessary as of late to have the ability to converse freely, to have the ability to converse your thoughts and arise for what’s proper,” she stated. “That is the place they need to be.”
The BBC, which broadcasts dozens of Glastonbury performances, did not present Kneecap’s set reside, however stated it deliberate to make it obtainable on-line later.
About 200,000 ticket holders have gathered at Worthy Farm in southwest England for Britain’s most prestigious summer season music pageant, which options nearly 4,000 performers on 120 levels. Headline acts performing over three days ending Sunday embrace Neil Younger, Charli XCX, Rod Stewart, Busta Rhymes, Olivia Rodrigo and Doechii.
Lorde performs throughout the Glastonbury Competition in Worthy Farm, Somerset, England, Friday, June 27, 2025.
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On Saturday, a shock act listed in this system as “Patchwork” turned out to be Britpop titans Pulp, performing 30 years after their first Glastonbury look.
Different highlights have included an unannounced set by New Zealand singer Lorde, a raucous reception for Gen X icon Alanis Morissette and an emotional return for Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi, two years after he took a break from touring to regulate to the influence of the neurological situation Tourette syndrome.