Kneecap forced to cancel upcoming concert over safety concerns as they make statement
Belfast rap trio Kneecap have announced the cancellation of their first headline show in Vienna, citing "acute safety concerns" raised by local authorities.
The group, who are known for their politically charged lyrics and outspoken support for Palestine, told fans they were sorry for the last-minute change. The cancellation affects a performance that was scheduled for September 1 at the Gasometer Vienna.
In a statement shared on social media on Friday, the trio wrote: "Our planned show in Vienna on September 1st is cancelled. To the 3500 people we were looking forward to seeing at our first headline show in Vienna, we are sorry: this is out of our hands. All tickets will be refunded. Yet again, it is clear that this is political distraction and a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people. But as always, we will fight on for what is right." It comes as Israel has issued a chilling deadline for a million Palestinians to flee Gaza.
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The venue's website confirmed the cancellation, with promoter Racoon Live Entertainment GmbH stating: "Racoon Live Entertainment GmbH hereby cancels the planned Kneecap show on September 1, 2025, at the Gasometer Vienna due to acute safety concerns raised by the responsible authorities."
The cancellation is the latest in a string of setbacks for the band. Kneecap were banned from entering Hungary in July ahead of a scheduled performance at the Sziget Festival on August 11. Other recent cancellations include appearances at TRNSMT festival in Glasgow and the Eden Project in Cornwall.
Kneecap is made up of Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (Mo Chara), Naoise Ó Cairealláin (Móglaí Bap) and JJ Ó Dochartaigh (DJ Próvaí). The band formed in Belfast in 2017 and built a following with their Irish-language rap.
They have faced mounting controversy over recent months due to some of their political statements. In May, Mo Chara was charged with a terrorism offence over allegedly displaying a Hizbullah flag during a London performance in November 2024. He denies the charges.
He and his bandmates were met by hundreds of cheering supporters when they appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court in June. Several musicians, including Nadine Shah and Gurriers, have pledged to attend court when he returns on August 20.
Kneecap have denied supporting either Hamas or Hizbullah. Recently, the trio also apologised to the families of murdered MPs after resurfaced footage from a November 2023 concert in which a band member appeared to say: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP."
The group also recently faced a police investigation into their set at Glastonbury Festival in June.
Avon and Somerset Police initially launched an inquiry following complaints over on-stage comments, but later confirmed no further action would be taken. Kneecap described the investigation as "political" and "state intimidation", and have accused authorities of damaging their reputation before privately dropping the case.
Current UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously said he did not think the rap trio should have been asked to perform at Glastonbury, telling The Sun: "I think we need to come down really clearly on this. I won't say too much, because there's a court case on, but I don't think that's appropriate."
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