Sharon Osbourne urges feds to yank Kneecap's US visas following anti-Israel Coachella set
Sharon Osbourne urged the feds to yank the US visas of an Irish rap group that launched into an anti-Israel tirade on the Coachella stage Saturday before a backdrop reading 'F–k Israel Free Palestine.'
The British TV personality, 72, slammed the West Belfast group Kneecap for projecting 'hate speech' and supporting 'terrorist organizations' at the popular Southern California music festival – where the former 'X Factor' judge said 'aggressive' political rhetoric doesn't belong.
'Kneecap, an Irish rap group, took their performance to a different level by incorporating aggressive political statements,' Osbourne said in a long rant posted Tuesday to X, where she cited music as a source of unification and 'an escape' during a time of 'significant unrest.'
Advertisement
5 Sharon Osbourne, 72, slammed Irish rap group Kneecap for projecting hate speech at Coachella.
Snorlax / MEGA
'Their actions included projections of anti-Israel messages and hate speech, and this band openly support terrorist organizations. This behavior raises concerns about the appropriateness of their participation in such a festival and further shows they are booked to play in the USA,' Osbourne, the wife of rocker Ozzy Osbourne, continued.
'I urge you to join me in advocating for the revocation of Kneecap's work visa.'
Advertisement
During their set, Kneecap – which openly supported the 'Palestinian struggle' a day after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 invasion of Israel that killed about 1,200 people, including 364 who were slaughtered at the Nova music festival – performed in front of a backdrop that read, 'F–k Israel Free Palestine.'
5 'They're bombing them from the skies. If you're not calling it a genocide, what the f–k are you calling it?' band member Mo Chara said to raucous cheers.
Getty Images for Coachella
The band, which also supported a book celebrating Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, led 'Free, free Palestine' chants as band member Mo Chara sported a keffiyeh scarf – a symbol of Palestinian identity.
'They're bombing them from the skies. If you're not calling it genocide, what the f–k are you calling it?' Mo Chara said to raucous cheers, while a screen behind the band read, 'The US government arms and funds Israel despite their war crimes.'
Advertisement
5 Kneecap spewed anti-Israel rhetoric on stage at Coachella Saturday — with a 'f–k Israel, free Palestine' display.
X/KNEECAP
While Nova survivors voiced their outrage, grief and devastation to The Post over the hateful outburst, Osbourne also blasted festival organizer, Goldenvoice, for allowing Kneecap to perform a week after the band led anti-Margaret Thatcher chants on stage during the festival's first weekend.
The band's live-stream was reportedly cut when they initiated the crowd in their political jeering's.
'Reports indicate that Goldenvoice was unaware of Kneecap's political intentions when they were booked,' Osbourne said.
Advertisement
5 Osbourne called for the band's visas to be revoked following their controversial performance Saturday.
X/KNEECAP
'However, after witnessing their performance during the first weekend, allowing them to perform again the following weekend suggests support of their rhetoric and a lack of due diligence.'
Watchdog groups previously told The Post they tried to warn Coachella owners from platforming the problematic pro-terror band – who reportedly call themselves 'republican hoods' and waved a yellow Hezbollah flag on stage during a November 2024 London concert.
5 The pro-terror group came up in support for Palestine after Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
Getty Images
Osbourne also slapped back at claims Goldenvoice was 'blindsided' by Kneecap's performance.
'I know for a fact that certain people in the industry had written to Goldenvoice, airing their concerns around the booking of Kneecap,' Osbourne alleged in her X post.
'Coachella 2025 will be remembered as a festival that compromised its moral and spiritual integrity. Goldenvoice, the festival organized, facilitated this by allowing artists to use the Coachella stage as a platform for political expression.'
Reps for Kneecap and Goldenvoice did not immediately respond to The Post's request for comment.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cardi B Hard Launches Her Relationship With NFL Star Stefon Diggs
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Everything is coming up roses for Cardi B. Over the weekend, the 'Up' singer posted photos and videos of the massive bouquets of flowers that were delivered to her home, in the same slideshow where she confirmed a new romance that is also sweetening her life. In the past few months, there have been rumors that Cardi was in a relationship with NFL player Stefon Diggs, following her divorce filing from Offset last July. Now, she has finally confirmed the new romance. Scroll ahead learn more about Stefon Diggs. In March 2025, Diggs signed a three-year deal with the New England Patriots for $63.5 million, where he will play as a wide receiver. At the time of his signing, Diggs had already been in the NFL for 10 seasons. When he graduated from the University of Maryland in 2014, he was signed the next year to the Minnesota Vikings as a fifth-round draft pick. He inked a four-year, $2.5 million deal, which he served out, before he was traded to the Buffalo Bills in 2020. Then, he stayed with the Bills for four years, before playing one season for the Houston Texans in 2024. Diggs has now joined the Patriots having played 144 regular season games with 857 receptions for 10,491 yards and 70 touchdowns. In 2020, he lead the league in receptions. He will make his debut for New England this coming fall. Stefon Diggs is a father to one—a daughter named Nova, who he welcomed in October 2016. The identity of Nova's mother is not publicly known, though some believe it to be Diggs's ex-girlfriend, the pop singer Tyler-Marie. While Diggs mostly keeps his personal life out of the spotlight, Nova has made a few notable appearances throughout the wide receiver's career. For instance, when he was signed to the Buffalo Bills, Nova sat on his lap for the ceremony, where she jokingly quoted the iconic Jerry Maguire line 'show me the money' to the Bills general manager Brandon Beane, as seen in the clip above. Other times, the adorable little one has been seen running on the field with her dad after games and cheering from the stands, all while sporting jerseys with his name. Take one scroll through Diggs's Instagram account and you'll see all kinds of street style looks and tunnel fits, each defined by the football player's affinity for neon colors, eye-popping prints, and statement footwear. Diggs has displayed a strong fashion sense for years now, even making his Met Gala debut at the 2023 event, and returning the following two years, including this year to support the 'Superfine: Tailoring Black Style' theme. In a 2024 GQ interview, the wide receiver said, 'My mom told me that a girl always pays attention to your shoes and your smile... I got my own swag. I don't try to be like anybody else.' That love of fashion has translated to front-row appearances at fashion shows, and even the development of his own brand, called Liem, which sells luxury graphic tees, denim, leather, and stylish sportswear. Diggs isn't the only member of the family who's played for the NFL. In fact, the Patriots player's younger brother, Trevon, is currently a cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys. And while he isn't part of the NFL, the pair's half-sibling, Mar'Sean, played college football at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. His love of football started with his father, who passed away when he was only 14. As noted in an article from The Athletic, Diggs's dad wanted to see his sons play their best, so he enrolled them in the sport when they were young, and even had them doing things like living-room pushups whenever commercials would come on the TV. To this day, Diggs has a tattoo on his right wrist that says: 'RIP DAD.' Back in 2018, he shared a picture of it to his Instagram, with a caption that read: 'I miss you now more than ever... just wish you was here to see your sons. We love you. Still going hard for the last name ❤️ SCREAMING HAPPY GDAY POPS.. the [realest].' On June 1, 2025, Cardi B went public with her and Diggs's relationship, sharing a slideshow of photos which included one of her and the Patriots player getting cuddly on a boat, while a video saw Cardi dancing on Diggs. In another cheeky moment, the 'WAP' singer also shared a shot of her wrapped up in a furry shawl, which appeared to be the exact same one Diggs wore on Met Gala night. In her caption, she wrote: 'Chapter 5 ……Hello Chapter six.' Rumors of the pair's relationship first swirled in the fall of 2024, when the two were spotted at a New York City nightclub together, per a report from TMZ. Further speculation ensued when the couple went out to dinner in Miami on Valentine's Day. A couple of months later, a video circulated that saw Cardi dancing on the wide receiver. And this past May, they were seen sitting courtside together at a New York Knicks game, making their first public appearance as a pair. You Might Also Like 4 Investment-Worthy Skincare Finds From Sephora The 17 Best Retinol Creams Worth Adding to Your Skin Care Routine
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Influential ‘80s singer makes first public appearance in 8 years
Iconic Irish singer Enya spends most of her time in her massive £98 million ($131 million) Victorian castle near Dublin. However, the 'Only Time' singer ditched her mostly reclusive lifestyle for a rare public appearance — the first in eight years. Enya, 64, was spotted when she attended a wedding at Drumhalla House in Donegal, Ireland on May 16, according to a Facebook post from the Donegal Dancers. 'What a honour it was to perform at Sean and David's wedding last night in @drumhallahouse," the post read. 'There may be a couple familiar faces in the first pic,' it read. 'Some of you may know them as the World Famous Clannad & ENYA. What a privilege to have them in the crowd last night.' Enya was last seen in public when she attended the Grammy Awards in 2017, The Sun reported. Reddit fans expressed their excitement to see the singer in public after so long. 'She looks great after another decade! And her outfit, of course, is totally Enya coded,' one user commented. Another user said the singer 'looks so lovely here,' but added, 'girl drop the mixtape already omg it's been 10 years.' With more than 80 million albums sold worldwide, Enya is the best-selling Irish solo artist and second-best-selling music act from Ireland overall behind rock band U2. After achieving initial success in her home country, Enya became a worldwide sensation through her international hit single 'Orinoco Flow (Sail Away)' off her 1988 sophomore album 'Watermark.' The vocalist released the multi-million-selling albums 'Shepherd Moons,' 'The Memory of Trees,' and 'A Day Without Rain' in the following decade. The latter project was supported by its lead single 'Only Time,' which reached the top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2001. Enya's subsequent releases included 'Amarantine' in 2005, 'And Winter Came...' in 2008 and 'Dark Sky Island' in 2015. The singer has not put out her own music ever since. Taylor Swift buys back masters of first six albums, teases re-recorded albums '90s rock band members have been 'sitting on' secret album for 12 years Shakira, Jason Aldean's Fenway shows canceled due to 'unforeseen circumstances' Popular 2000s hip-hop duo to release first new album in 15 years '80s music icon says she went to Hawaii 'to die' while battling colon cancer Read the original article on MassLive.
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Forbes
2025 Guide to The Newest, The Coolest And The Craziest Music Festivals
Friends having fun dancing about at a sunny music festival in Barcelona. getty Can you hear that? It's the sound of stages being set up, venues being booked and the loudest sounds of all are the groans of agony from festival goers who are looking at the prices of the 2025 music festival lineup. According to the Business Research Company's Music Festival Global Report, these fests are a huge boost to the economy, projected to surpass the $2.57 billion market worth of 2024 to a whopping $3.04 billion in 2025 and forecasted to hit $5.85 billion by 2029. Of this, Axios reported that North America attributed more than 40% of global music festival growth, per festivals like Coachella, Warped Tour and more. In March and April, most of the biggest names in summer music festivals release their then shortly after, their pricing. Most have tiered tickets, with single-day and multi-day packages, general admission and VIP and even some with crazy perks we haven't seen until this year. Also included in the 2025 lineup are more affordable shows, should you be able to get to them or wait a bit for the off-season to roll around, like this winter fest in the frozen tundra's of Montreal we wrote about this past winter. That fest is also one that ranks amongst the 'craziest' on the list. Other contenders include a midwest summer festival that you can watch from a yacht, an underwater music festival beneath the sea, and the largest (and free!) music festival in the world. Read on for the cheapest, craziest, most unique festivals on the circuit this year—find the superlative that speaks to you and mark your calendars. When people say 'bigger isn't always better' they may not have heard about this music festival in Austria. Not only is it the largest open-air festival in the world by attendees, holding the Guinness World Record for their 2015 attendance of 3.3 million, but it is also completely free. Yes, free. Danube Island Festival, the name in English, has 16 stages for over 200 performances during the three days. The festival truly is for everyone, as genres span everything from EDM and DJ sets to pop, rock, folk, metal and more with European artists and international sensations stopping by each year. It is also incredibly accessible not only with the free admission but the location as well, situated near public transit and equipped with free bike storage facilities for those on wheels. Dates: June 20 - 22, 2025 Lineup: With over 200 performers, head to the website and download the program details for each day to see who will be attending. At a glance, international attendees may recognize Milky Chance, Halestorm, Kim Wilde and more. Tickets: This music festival is free to the public and no tickets are required. The big apple is making a big change this year for some of the most avid music festival fans. New for 2025, the three-day festival is selling a brand new ticket for the closest view they have ever offered. Pit Viewing starts at $699 at time of publication for a 1-day ticket and $1,499 for a 3-day pass that spans the festival. These tickets grant access to the exclusive front-of-stage viewing area, in front of the typical VIP section and the general admission crowds. Ticket holders will also get all VIP amenities like lounge access, premium bathrooms and dedicated areas for food and beverages. Dates: June 6 - 8, 2025 Lineup: Headliners include Tyler the Creator, Benson Boone, Olivia Rodrigo, Feid, Hozier and Glass Animals. Tickets: Tickets are still available to purchase as of time of publication, with some days and tiers fully sold out. Since Minnesota is the 'Land of 10,000 Lakes' it only makes sense that you can watch a music festival while floating. The Minnesota Yacht Club is hosting their music festival this July, during peak Minnesota heat, which is why their Harriet Island Regional Park location is perfect, as it sits alongside the Mississippi River. For those that have the cash to spend, you can watch the festival from a historic riverboat, starting at $595 for a 1-day ticket or $920 for the 3-day package. This add-on includes VIP perks plus a 60-minute cruise at a time of your choosing with a margarita happy hour on the Padelford Riverboats before the pre-headliner and the headliner set each night. Dates: July 18 - 20, 2025 Lineup: Headliners include Hozier, Alabama Shakes, Fall Out Boy, Weezer, Green Day and Sublime. Tickets: Tickets are still available to purchase at time of publication, with some waitlists. If just being on the water in Minnesota isn't enough, go under the sea down in Florida for their annual Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival. Out in Key West, divers, snorkeler and even some mermaids converge on Looe Key Reef to partake in a one-of-a-kind celebration of music and conservation advocacy. While this isn't a traditional music festival with celebrity performers and stages, it is something to be seen. For those that don't dive, there are also educational events put on by the Lower Keys Chamber of Commerce, a costume contest and more. Dates: July 11 - 12, 2025 Lineup: n/a Tickets: This event is free to attend. Contact a local dive shop to reserve a spot on a boat should you want to partake in a dive or snorkel experience. Show up and show out for the LGBTQ+ community, as Washington D.C. hosts World Pride 2025. This year, Pride is bigger than ever and so the capital is doing it big this year with a star-studded lineup. The two-day festival on June 6 and 7 sets the tone for the rest of Pride Month and also honors the 50th anniversary of Pride events being held in D.C. The global dance extravaganza combines singers, DJ's and queer icons over three stages and multiple genres in a rainbow of dancing, fashion and queer joy. Dates: June 7 - 8, 2025 Lineup: Headliners include Jennifer Lopez, Troye Sivan, Paris Hilton, Grimes, Kim Petras and RuPaul. Tickets: Tickets are still available to purchase at time of publication, however they are over 90% sold out. Forget the crowded summer music festival circuit and heat up the dance floor in the middle of January. Igloofest is held each year in Montreal, Canada, no matter the temperature outside. In 2013 the festival was hit with -17 °F temperatures, plus a drastic windchill that brought temps down to -36°F to -58°F. Despite the arctic feel, the vibes from this festival bring the heat as attendees take this opportunity to dress up in neon skiing jumpsuits, fur parkas and even Yeti costumes like the official mascot of Igloofest. Plus, having hot beverages, alcoholic options, heated VIP areas and a constant stream of EDM and house music help to keep the blood pumping. Dates: Jan - March, depending on the host city (Montreal, Gatineau and Quebec City) Lineup: Not yet released for the 2026 season. Past festivals saw Apashe, Chris Luno, Claptone, Dombresky, Michael Bibi, Zeds Dead and more. Tickets: Not yet released for the 2026 season. For those that love the rave lifestyle but also want a comfy seat to watch the action in high-resolution, this new multimedia experience is for you. EDM music festival Tomorrowland, held in Belgium each year, has teamed up with Insomniac, the world-class festival organizer behind Electric Forest, Electric Daisy Carnival and more, to produce this one-of-a-kind show in the one-of-a-kind Sphere in Las Vegas. The immense globe structure puts on incredibly vivid shows using 580,000 sq feet of LED panels, creating a curved screen that provides viewers an immersive theater experience beyond that of IMAX or otherwise. This is the perfect medium for the new show, UNITY, which will take audiences through some of the most beloved EDM festivals like Beyond Wonderland x Nocturnal, Escape x Countdown and more, with some surprises along the way. Dates: Select dates from Aug. 29 - Oct. 18, 2025 Lineup: In addition to the EDM and house-inspired soundtrack during the experience, there will be a surprise special guest DJ at the end of each showing. Tickets: Tickets are still available to purchase at time of publication, with both general tickets and suite reservations available.
