Kneecap ‘welcome' at Glastonbury despite calls for ban
Glastonbury bosses have declared Kneecap is 'welcome' at the festival despite calls for the Irish republican rap group to be banned.
Emily Eavis, the festival's organiser, said: 'Everyone is welcome here,' in response to Sir Keir Starmer calling for the trio to be deplatformed.
Liam O'Hanna, one of the three Kneecap members, appeared in court this month accused of displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a gig in November last year.
He also allegedly shouted: 'Up Hamas, up Hezbollah,' which provoked condemnation across the political spectrum, while Jewish groups encouraged venues to cancel the band's gigs.
Despite this, Kneecap headlined at the Wide Awake festival in May after organisers said they had 'positive discussions' with the rap group.
The group are due to play at the Glastonbury on Saturday at 4pm on the West Holts stage.
The Prime Minister said he did not think it was 'appropriate' for the Irish republican group to perform at Glastonbury after O'Hanna appeared in court.
In an interview with The Sun, Sir Keir was asked if he thought the trio should take part in the festival, organised by Ms Eavis and her father Sir Michael Eavis, to which he replied: '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, I won't say too much because there's a court case on, but I don't think that's appropriate.'
Kemi Badenoch, the Conservative leader, also called on Glastonbury to ban Kneecap, later saying that the BBC should not broadcast the group's set.
But Ms Eavis said on the first day of the festival: 'We are just focusing on bringing the best festival to these people.
'We remain a platform of many artists all over the world and everyone is welcome here.'
Kneecap, which is made up of O'Hanna, Naoise Ó Cairealláin and J J Ó Dochartaigh from West Belfast, is known for its provocative lyrics and merchandise in support of Irish republicanism.
The group faced a counter-terror probe this year into footage from two of its concerts that allegedly showed members shouting: 'Kill your local MP.'
O'Hanna, 27, was released on unconditional bail until his next appearance at Westminster magistrates' court on Aug 20.
Kneecap claims it is a victim of a 'witch hunt' and said it 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned groups in the UK.
Sir Michael and Ms Eavis welcomed festival-goers on Wednesday morning with a brass band performance of The Final Countdown at 8am.
Many queued from the early hours at Worthy Farm, Somerset, to be there for the opening, with Ms Eavis saying it was 'very emotional' to have her father present for the first time in several years.
Ms Eavis confirmed Neil Young's Saturday night headline performance would not be broadcast on the BBC, but refused to explain why, instead saying that 'so many things' are going to be available to watch on TV.
Other acts this year include British rock/pop band The 1975, Olivia Rodrigo, the US pop singer, and British artist Charli XCX, who will perform songs from her award-winning sixth studio album Brat.
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