Multiple Kneecap concerts cancelled due to police investigation – Breaking News
Several performances by the rap group Kneecap have been cancelled amidst an investigation by counter-terrorism police. The investigation was sparked by footage showing members of the band allegedly calling for the deaths of MPs and expressing support for Hamas and Hezbollah. In response, there have been calls to remove the group from the Glastonbury Festival lineup, although other artists like Pulp, Paul Weller, DJ Annie Mac, Massive Attack, and Primal Scream have defended Kneecap.
The controversial footage, dating back to November 2023, includes statements such as “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.” Despite apologizing to the families of murdered MPs, Kneecap maintained that the footage was being exploited and insisted they have never supported banned organizations like Hamas and Hezbollah in the UK.
The fallout from the controversy has led to the cancellation of several Kneecap performances. The Eden Sessions at the Cornwall botanical gardens was set to host the band’s first performance in Cornwall on July 4th but has been cancelled. Ticket purchasers were assured of full refunds, with the refund process set to begin on April 30th. The Eden Sessions, known for hosting various artists, had lined up acts like Biffy Clyro, The Script, and Texas for this year’s series.
Following the cancellation of their Cornwall gig, Kneecap was scheduled to perform at Plymouth Pavilions on the same date but that concert was also scrapped. The venue cited concerns for visitor safety as the reason for calling off the show. Additionally, the band announced that they would no longer be performing at festivals in Germany, including Hurricane and Southside Festival, with all tickets being refunded.
Despite the cancellations, Kneecap still has upcoming performances lined up for the summer. They are set to support Fontaines DC at Boucher Playing Fields in Belfast in August, while performances at various UK and Ireland festivals are on the agenda. The controversy surrounding the band has also caught the attention of festivals in the Netherlands and Czech Republic who are closely monitoring the situation to determine if there will be any consequences for upcoming shows.
Kneecap’s performance at Coachella on April 18th also drew criticism for displaying messages about the war in Gaza. As the police investigation continues, the band has been contacted for comment on the matter.