Glastonbury founder: Go elsewhere if you don't like our politics
The founder of the Glastonbury Festival has told people to 'go somewhere else' if they do not like the politics of the event.
Sir Michael Eavis's comments came following calls for the festival to cancel a scheduled performance by Kneecap, the Irish republican rap trio, on Saturday afternoon.
The band's involvement provoked a row after one of the group's members allegedly shouted 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah' at a past concert.
Earlier this month, Liam O'Hanna, one of Kneecap's members, appeared in court accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, the proscribed terrorist organisation, at a gig in November 2024.
The 27-year-old was released on unconditional bail until his next appearance court appearance on August 20.
Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, urged the festival to kick Kneecap off its schedule, while Kemi Badenoch, the Tory leader, said the BBC should not broadcast footage of the group's show.
But on Thursday, Sir Michael appeared to dismiss the calls.
Asked by the Glastonbury Free Press, the event's newspaper, if the festival still 'stands for something,' the 89-year-old responded: 'Oh, heavens above – yes, of course it does.
'And I think the people that come here are into all those things. People that don't agree with the politics of the event can go somewhere else.'
On Wednesday, his daughter Emily Eavis was asked about the row. She replied: '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.'
The band, made up of O'Hanna, Naoise Ó Cairealláin and J J Ó Dochartaigh from West Belfast, are known for their provocative lyrics and merchandise in support of Irish republicanism.
Earlier this year, counter-terror police launched an investigation after footage from two of Kneecap's concerts allegedly showed members shouting: 'Kill your local MP.'
In a statement, Kneecap rejected 'any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual' and said the alleged comments were taken out of context.
The band has also claimed it is a victim of a 'witch hunt' and said it 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned groups in the UK.
Through the years, Glastonbury has welcomed politicians, pundits and celebrities to speak on topics ranging from feminism to fascism at its Left Field and Green Fields Speakers Forum stages.
Gary Lineker, the former Match of the Day presenter who left the BBC One show last month, will be speaking at the festival's Silver Hayes area on Saturday for a panel discussion titled: 'Standing Up For 'Getting Along' In A World That's Being Pushed Apart'.
He told the Glastonbury Free Press: 'It's basically along the lines of: everything is done to try and divide us, and I think if people can pull together – because I think most of us are decent human beings – then just a bit more kindness in the world would go a long way at the moment.'
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