TRNSMT act Twin Atlantic on solidarity 'with people of Palestine' and other artists after Kneecap controversy
Scots rock band Twin Atlantic say they wanted to show 'solidarity with the people of Palestine' and other artists after one member sported a Palestina FC football top at Glasgow's TRNSMT festival.
Ross McNae wore the top alongside bandmate Sam McTrusty.
Speaking to the Record backstage after their set, they were asked if they were also showing solidarity with Irish band Kneecap, who have been outspoken in their support of Palestine, and were removed from the TRNSMT lineup over police concerns.
Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terror offence after allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London gig, and the group were criticised over 2023 gig footage that appeared to show a band member saying: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP."
Despite being removed from TRNSMT Kneecap's appearance at Glastonbury went ahead, and their comments there on the Gaza conflict have been subject to a police probe.
Ross said: 'Not necessarily specifically with Kneecap but what's happening in Palestine is unimaginable horror so there is an element of solidarity. Obviously the main solidarity is with the people of Palestine.
"But there is an element of solidarity I suppose with other artists because it's dangerous slippy slope isn't it. You take away people's right to speak up about things that are important and before you know it we are at a very dark place for solidarity as a whole.
"The last couple of months I feel there has been quite a slide to a place we don't necessarily want to go to so it's on everybody if they have any platform at all."
Bandmate Sam McTrusty was asked about Keir Starmer weighing into Kneecap debate and calling for them to be axed from Glastonbury, and said: "It's embarrassing."
Twin Atlantic said they have tried to keep politics out of their music but that some issues, particularly the Glasgow old firm divide, has bled into their work.
Ross said: "We never really talk about politics. Being from Glasgow there is obviously such a divide in the city with its football rivalry. It's something we all steered clear off but it bled into our music.'
Sam added: "In 2014 we had an album come out called great divide with four different flags that looked like we were making another flag. It's always been there as a subtext. I'm personally a big fan of art forms with subtlety."
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