Wide Awake Festival: Kneecap Statement
Ireland’s Kneecap has made headlines for inflammatory political views, and it has sparked calls for concert cancellations and even a UK counterterror investigation.
- Controversial Remarks: Allegedly while performing, they have made incendiary statements like “Kill your local MP” and flashed pro-Palestine chants at Coachella, accusing Israel of genocide. This was seen by some as support for banned groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
- Backlash: Politicians and media demonized them, and UK counterterror police opened an investigation.
- Band’s Response: Kneecap denied calling for terrorism, condemned violence against civilians, and apologized to the families of murdered MPs Jo Cox and David Amess.
- Support: Over 40 artists, including Massive Attack, Pulp, Paul Weller and Primal Scream among many other defended the group’s right to free expression.
On a positive note: Wide Awake festival have confirmed Kneecap will still headline the event on May 23rd in London. They issued this statement:
