It’s almost time for the gates of Worthy Farm to open, as Glastonbury Festival kicks off on Wednesday.
Attention this year is largely focused on the mysterious Patchwork, who are taking to the Pyramid Stage on Saturday, and on which secret sets will be played, with Pulp, Haim and Paramore being the most heavily speculated names to show up.
However, one act scheduled to perform on Saturday is proving to be the most headline grabbing.
You guessed it: it’s controversial Belfast rappers Kneecap.
Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was in court last week in London, charged with a terror offence, relating to allegedly shouting comments at a gig in November in support of Hezbollah, which is proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the UK.
The rap trio has repeatedly denied supporting Hamas or Hezbollah, and argued that they are facing a “co-ordinated smear campaign” after speaking out about “the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people”.
“Let us be unequivocal: we do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah. We condemn all attacks on civilians, always. It is never okay. We know this more than anyone, given our nation’s history,” they said in a statement.
Despite several artists coming to their defence, stating their opposition to “any political repression of artistic freedom” and adding that in a democracy, “no political figures or political parties should have the right to dictate who does and does not play at music festivals or gigs”, their upcoming slot at Glastonbury remains polemical.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he does not think the band’s planned Glastonbury performance is “appropriate.”
When asked by the Sun if he thought the trio should perform at Glastonbury, Starmer said: “No, I don’t, and I think we need to come down really clearly on this.”
“This is about the threats that shouldn’t be made,” he continued. “I won’t say too much because there’s a court case on, but I don’t think that’s appropriate.”
The prime minister’s comments came after Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said she thought the BBC “should not be showing” Kneecap’s performance at the festival.
Badenoch said in an X post: “The BBC should not be showing Kneecap propaganda. One Kneecap band member is currently on bail, charged under the Terrorism Act. As a publicly funded platform, the BBC should not be rewarding extremism.”
In a post on social media this weekend, Kneecap responded to the prime minister’s comments.
“You know what’s ‘not appropriate’ Keir?! Arming a f**king genocide… F**k The Sun and solidarity with @pal_action” – in reference to the pro-Palestinian protest network Palestinian Action.
Ó hAnnaidh was released on unconditional bail after Wednesday’s hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court. He was cheered by hundreds of supporters.
Following the hearing, the rapper said: “For anybody going to Glastonbury, you can see us there at 4pm on Saturday. If you can’t be there we’ll be on the BBC, if anybody watches the BBC. We’ll be at Wembley in September. But most importantly: free, free Palestine.”
The 27-year-old will appear at the same court for his next hearing on 20 August.
Kneecap are still scheduled to perform at Glastonbury on Saturday 28 June at 4pm on West Holts stage, and it seems unlikely that they will be taken off the line-up, despite Keir Starmer’s comments.
Previous calls by politicians to get Kneecap removed from festival line-ups have only increased the band’s profile.
However, the question remains as to whether the BBC, the festival’s broadcaster partner, will televise the band’s performance.
A BBC spokesperson said it “will be bringing audiences extensive music coverage from Glastonbury, with artists booked by the festival organisers”. They added: “Whilst the BBC doesn’t ban artists, our plans will ensure that our programming will meet our editorial guidelines.”
There’s every chance that the concert could be edited to coincide with editorial guidelines.
However, in doing so, the BBC will incur the ire of fans, supporting artists and campaign groups like Love Music Hate Racism, who previously expressed their support for Kneecap, releasing a statement saying: “Anyone trying to silence them, or get them pulled from shows, is on the wrong side of history”.
As well as playing Glastonbury, Kneecap are due to support Fontaines D.C. at their Finsbury Park show in the UK this July. They will also play their biggest UK show to date at London’s Wembley Arena in September.
Glastonbury Festival kicks off on Wednesday 25 June and lasts until Sunday 29 June.
