Irish rappers Kneecap set to play Glastonbury despite criticism from politicians
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Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, has been charged under the Terrorism Act with supporting a proscribed organisation for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a concert in London in November. He is on unconditional bail ahead of a further court hearing in August.
The Belfast trio has been praised for invigorating the Irish-language cultural scene in Northern Ireland, but also criticised for lyrics laden with expletives and drug references and for political statements.
The band draws, often satirically, on the language and imagery of the Irish republican movement and Northern Ireland's decades of violence. Videos have emerged allegedly showing the band shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah' and calling on people to kill lawmakers.
Members of the group say they do not support Hezbollah or Hamas, nor do they condone violence. They have accused critics of trying to silence the band because of their support for the Palestinian cause throughout the war in Gaza.
Supporters of Kneecap's Liam O'Hanna gather outside Westminster Magistrates' Court in London, Britain, on June 18. Photo: EPA-EFE
Several Kneecap gigs have been cancelled as a result of the controversy. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, when asked by a journalist, that it would not be 'appropriate' for the festival to give Kneecap a platform.
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