Irish rappers Kneecap ‘not welcome' at O2 gig as vandals target Glasgow venue
Protesters daubed the front of Glasgow's O2 Academy with 'Kneecap not welcome' as they prepare to play at a sell-out gig
RAP IT Irish rappers Kneecap 'not welcome' at O2 gig as vandals target Glasgow venue
VANDALS have targeted a music venue set to host controversial Irish rap band Kneecap after they were axed from the TRNSMT line-up.
Protesters daubed the front of Glasgow's O2 Academy with 'Kneecap not welcome' as they prepare to play at a sell-out gig next month.
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Kneecap at the Irish Film and Television Academy Awards Ceremony
Credit: PA
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Protesters daubed the front of Glasgow's O2 Academy with 'Kneecap not welcome'
Credit: John Kirkby
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Workers were this morning seen painting over the slogans
Credit: John Kirkby
It comes after the group were ditched by promoters DF Concerts amid 'safety concerns' around the July 11 Glasgow Green showpiece.
The pre-sale for the new show on July 8 sold out in 80 seconds with the band claiming on X it was a 'new record'.
But the band's plans to play in Scotland have continued to attract protests with Jewish activists demanding the O2 gig be axed.
The plea by Scotland Against Antisemitism was made as Kneecap came under fire over alleged support for terror groups Hamas and Hezbollah.
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In an open letter, the SAA group said: "With full knowledge of Kneecap's hate speech, does the Academy wish to continue to give a platform to this band?"
Now vandals have made their anger known by daubing graffiti on the front of the Eglinton Street venue.
Workers were this morning seen painting over the slogans.
Cops had earlier warned a "significant policing operation" would be needed at TRNSMT if the group performed at the festival.
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It followed weeks of questioning over the controversial band's appearance at the Glasgow event after they allegedly called for MPs to be killed.
The Belfast trio said after they got the chop: "Due to concerns expressed by the police about safety at the event, Kneecap can no longer perform at TRNSMT.
"To the thousands of people who bought tickets, flights and hotels to see us play, we are sorry - it is out of our hands."
Major TRNSMT act Kneecap in doubt after member charged with TERROR offences
They later said on X: "Kneecap didn't 'pull out' - Kneecap were removed."
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A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Any decision on the line-up is for the organisers.
"Officers highlighted that the potential reaction of such a large audience to this band would require a significant policing operation to support the delivery of a safe event."
DF Concerts, organisers of the bash from July 11-13, said: "Due to concerns expressed by the police about safety at the event, Kneecap will no longer perform.
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Concert bosses dropped Kneecap over 'safety concerns' around the TRNSMT show.
Credit: Roddy Scott
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"We thank fans for their understanding."
Glasgow politicians have hit out at Police Scotland's stance on the TRNSMT performance- branding the decision "questionable."
Glasgow Greens co-leader Jon Molyneux said: 'The police position on this is deeply questionable."
However, First Minister John Swinney had said it would be unacceptable for them to perform at TRNSMT.
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We told how PM Sir Keir Starmer earlier called for Glastonbury to axe Kneecap from its line-up after a band member was charged with a terror offence.
Rapper Liam O'Hanna appeared in court last week accused of displaying a flag in support of banned terror group Hezbollah at a London gig.
O'Hanna, 27, from Belfast, is charged with displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a gig.
The alleged incident unfolded on November 21 last year at the O2 Forum, in Kentish Town, London.
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He was released on unconditional bail after appearing on the a terror charge, with the next hearing set on 20 August.
Scottish Conservative MSP Annie Wells said: 'Kneecap views aren't controversial, they're beyond the pale.
'Given that a member of the band was charged with terror offences and they have a track record of antisemitic comments, the operators of the O2 should consider whether it is appropriate for them to perform.'
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