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Irish Times
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Kneecap in process of securing new US visa sponsor ahead of North America tour
Rap trio Kneecap are in the process of securing a new sponsor for renewed US visas ahead of its sell-out October tour in North America. The visas held by the band members are understood to no longer be valid after being dropped by their now-former sponsor and booking agent Independent Artist Group (IAG), as first reported by the Hollywood Reporter. That move came after Kneecap faced criticism in the US over the group's recent performance during the major music festival Coachella, held in California. The Belfast group has been outspoken in support for Palestine and criticism of Israel's military actions in Gaza . READ MORE At Coachella, Kneecap displayed messages which read: 'Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people', 'It is being enabled by the US government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes' and 'F*** Israel. Free Palestine'. The trio's US performances are permitted under work visas granted to its members under sponsorship of approved organisations – such as IAG or other booking agents and industry companies. According to PA news agency, it is understood the visas for members of Kneecap, which are now no longer valid due to IAG pulling out, were due to expire over the summer months between Coachella and the band's next US appearances. It is also understood the members of Kneecap are not currently in the US and do not have gigs scheduled there until the tour in October, which falls after the group would have to reapply for an annual permit. The performers are entitled to apply for a new visa and are aiming to do so under a different sponsor ahead of their sell-out tour in the US and Canada. It is also understood that none of the tour dates have been impacted or cancelled, with all performances still scheduled. Following the Coachella performance, former X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne called for their US work visas to be revoked. The Creative Community for Peace, a group that works to counter anti-Israel sentiment in the entertainment industry, also heavily criticised the performance. In social media posts, the band alleged it had 'faced a co-ordinated smear campaign', saying that their shows have previously 'called out' the conflict in Gaza. 'The recent attacks against us, largely emanating from the US, are based on deliberate distortions and falsehoods,' Kneecap added. 'We are taking action against several of these malicious efforts.' They added: 'Let us be absolutely clear. The reason Kneecap is being targeted is simple – we are telling the truth, and our audience is growing. 'Those attacking us want to silence criticism of a mass slaughter. They weaponise false accusations of anti-Semitism to distract, confuse, and provide cover for genocide.' Kneecap's manager Daniel Lambert also said the band had received 'severe' death threats. On Tuesday, Osbourne called the images at Coachella 'projections of anti-Israel messages and hate speech'. The music manager and wife of Black Sabbath star Ozzy Osbourne wrote on X: 'As someone of both Irish Catholic on my mother's side and Ashkenazi Jewish heritage on her father's side and extensive experience in the music industry, I understand the complexities involved. 'I urge you to join me in advocating for the revocation of Kneecap's work visa.' Kneecap, made up of Mo Chara (Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh), Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin) and DJ Próvaí (JJ Ó Dochartaigh), added that 'there are massive numbers of Jewish people outraged by this genocide just as we are', and said they 'will not stay silent' on Gaza. 'The young people at our gigs see through the lies. They stand on the side of humanity and justice, and that gives us great hope,' they said. The trio, who perform in Irish and English, received support on the post from US rapper Macklemore, American-Irish comedian Des Bishop, Love Island star Matthew MacNabb and US singer Carsie Blanton. – PA
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
IAG Parts With Irish Hip-Hop Trio Kneecap After Anti-Israel Coachella Performance
Irish hip-hop group Kneecap has parted ways with their booking agency Independent Artist Group, TheWrap has learned. The controversial music trio (made up of DJ Próvaí, Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap) split with their agency sometime during the first and second weekends of the Coachella music festival. The group made waves there when rapper Mo Chara told the Coachella crowd, 'The Irish not so long ago were persecuted at the hands of the Brits, but we were never bombed from the f—king skies with nowhere to go. The Palestinians have nowhere to go.' Chara then led the crowd in 'Free Palestine' chants. Projections on the screen behind the group read 'Fuck Israel. Free Palestine' along with another screen that accused Israel of 'committing genocide against the Palestinian people.' The band maintained that their first-weekend set, featuring their pro-Palestine messaging had been censored by the festival. Kneecap's weekend two set was not live-streamed but images still made the rounds. According to music industry insiders who spoke with TheWrap, Coachella was warned more than once that Kneecap would take an aggressive anti-Israel stance when they were booked and still did nothing. 'Goldenvoice and AEG are claiming they were blindsided by the band and had no clue,' Ari Ingel, executive director of pro-Israel entertainment nonprofit Creative Community for Peace, told The Wrap. 'This is a lie. They knew, and they refused to act.' Kneecap came under harsh criticism from multiple groups and individuals, including Jewish organization the Simon Wiesenthal Center and Sharon Osbourne following the performances. 'Coachella 2025 will be remembered as a festival that compromised its moral and spiritual integrity,' the latter wrote on Instagram. 'Kneecap, an Irish rap group, took their performance to a different level by incorporating aggressive political statements.' The hip-hop group clapped back at Osbourne and the backlash in general on Wednesday. 'Statements aren't aggressive, murdering 20,000 children is though.' Kneecap manager Daniel Lambert also told Irish radio broadcaster RTÉ, 'If somebody is hurt by the truth, that's something for them to be hurt by, but it's really important to speak truth. Thankfully the lads are not afraid to do that.' The post IAG Parts With Irish Hip-Hop Trio Kneecap After Anti-Israel Coachella Performance appeared first on TheWrap.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Kneecap Say They've Faced 'Coordinated Smear Campaign' Since Coachella
The post Kneecap Say They've Faced 'Coordinated Smear Campaign' Since Coachella appeared first on Consequence. Irish rap trio Kneecap have faced backlash from parts of the Jewish community and celebrities like Sharon Osbourne following their strong pro-Palestine, anti-Israel messaging during both weekends of Coachella. Now, the group has released a statement alleging that they've faced a 'smear campaign' for their efforts. 'Since our statements at Coachella — exposing the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people — we have faced a coordinated smear campaign,' their statement reads. 'For over a year, we have used our shows to call out the British and Irish governments' complicity in war crimes.' Get Kneecap Tickets Here Kneecap added that they are already taking action against these 'malicious efforts,' which they state are 'largely emanating from the US' and based on 'deliberate distortions and falsehoods.' The statement continues: 'The reason Kneecap is being targeted is simple — we are telling the truth, and our audience is growing. Those attacking us want to silence criticism of a mass slaughter. They weaponize false accusations of antisemitism to distract, confuse, and provide cover for genocide. We do not give a f*ck what religion anyone practices. We know there are massive numbers of Jewish people outraged by this genocide just as we are. What we care about is that governments of the countries we perform in are enabling some of the most horrific crimes of our lifetimes — and we will not stay silent. No media spin will change this. Our only concern is the Palestinian people — the 20,000 murdered children and counting. The young people at our gigs see through the lies. They stand on the side of humanity and justice. And that gives us great hope. Kneecap ❤️ It's unclear whether this statement is related to Kneecap recently parting ways with their booking agency, Independent Artist Group, a move that could impact their ability to play US shows (IAG reportedly sponsored the group's work visas). As a refresher, Kneecap led 'Free Palestine' and anti-Margaret Thatcher chants during the first weekend of Coachella that were cut from the official livestream. They doubled down during their weekend two performance by bringing out streamer Hasan Piker to broadcast their protest and displaying, 'Fuck Israel, free Palestine' on the screens behind them. 'Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people,' another message read on their stage screens. 'It is being enabled by the US government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes.' Kneecap member Mo Chara also gave a speech in which he said, 'The Palestinians have nowhere to go, it's their fucking home and they're bombing them from the skies. If you're not calling it a genocide what the fuck are you calling it?' He then led a 'Free, free Palestine' chant. Following the second Coachella performance, groups like the pro-Israel nonprofit Creative Community for Peace criticized festival organizer Goldenvoice, and it was reported that CEO Paul Tollett was 'blindsided' by the incident. Celebrities like Disturbed's David Draiman and Sharon Osbourne spoke out against Kneecap's actions, with the latter calling for the revocation of their work visas. Responding to Osbourne, Mo Chara pointed out that his group has consistently stood with Palestine since its formation and urged her to listen to Black Sabbath's 'War Pigs.' Popular Posts Katy Perry Goes Viral for Cringe Choreography at "Lifetimes Tour" Kickoff deadmau5 Apologizes for Blacking Out During Coachella Set The 100 Best Guitarists of All Time Lady Gaga Battles Tech Issues at Coachella: "At Least You Know I Sing Live" Beyoncé's "COWBOY CARTER TOUR" Set to Kick Off with Thousands of Seats Unsold Korn's Jonathan Davis Unveils New Line of "Freak on a Leash" Dog Apparel Subscribe to Consequence's email digest and get the latest breaking news in music, film, and television, tour updates, access to exclusive giveaways, and more straight to your inbox.
RTÉ News
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Kneecap part ways with booking agency IAG
Northern Irish Hip-Hop Group Kneecap have parted ways with booking agency Independent Artist Group. Representatives of the agency confirmed to the American entertainment publisher, The Hollywood Reporter, that they had parted ways with Belfast based The Better Ways To Live singers without revealing why. Kneecap's management has not replied to queries over the split. The Guilty Conscience singers, made headlines for their pro-Palestine, anti-Israel pronouncements during the Coachella Music Festival in recent weeks. The Sick In The Head singers claimed Coachella censored their pro-Palestine messages from the festival's official livestream. Speaking to Rolling Stone magazine, earlier in the week Kneecap's Mo Chara said that their message is "about (the Israeli) government's sickening actions, not ordinary people." "We believe we have an obligation to use our platform when we can to raise the issue of Palestine, and it was important for us to speak out at Coachella as the USA is the main funder and supplier of weapons to Israel as they commit genocide in Gaza," Chara said Kneecap last played in Cork CIty Hall in February 2025, at Vicar Street in Dublin for four nights in October 2024, Electric Picnic 2024 and Galway International Arts Festival 2024. They first played in Dublin in the 3 Olympia, 16 November 2021 and at the Cork Jazz Festival in October 2021.
Irish Daily Star
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Daily Star
Irish hip hop group Kneecap makes bold decision after sharing Palestine support
Kneecap has parted ways with their booking agency after making headlines for supporting Palestine at Coachella . The controversial Irish hip hop group has parted ways with their booking agency Independent Artist Group, sources close to the band have claimed. It's unclear what led to the band's split from the agency, which took place between the first and second weekends of the Coachella music festival . Kneecap had divided public opinion after sharing a "f--- Israel, free Palestine" message during their Coachella set last weekend. Projecting onto a large screen at the festival, Kneecap shared a message reading, "Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people. It is being enabled by the U.S. government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes. F--- Israel, Free Palestine." Read More Related Articles Jenna Bush Hager announces major career move in heartfelt statement Read More Related Articles Yellowstone's Kelly Reilly moves on from series as she joins new detective drama A representative for IAG, which has huge stars Billy Joel, Metallica and Mary J. Blige on its artist roster, confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter the agency no longer represents Kneecap. They didn't provide any further details. Kneecap have been dropped by their booking agency. (Image: Getty Images for Film Independen) The news comes just days after Kneecap hit back at a Fox News section criticizing their pro-Palestine message at Coachella . Fox News show Outnumbered focused on Kneecap's political statement as commentator Riley Gaines branded them "rogue activist judges." She shared, "Look, if Green Day, if Kneecap, which is a band I've never even heard of, if they want to be for the Palestinian people, then they shouldn't be anti-Israel, they should be anti-Hamas." Kneecap reshared a clip of the segment on X as they hit back at Gaines' comments. They posted, ""A band I've never even heard of" The only part of this s---- that made any sense." For all the latest news straight to your inbox, sign up for our FREE newsletters here . Sharon Osborne has called for Kneecap's US work visas to be revoked, after their fiery pro-Palestinian set . The reality star and wife of rock legend Ozzy Osborne accused the group of 'incorporating aggressive political statements' into their set. Osborne took to X, sharing a statement that said the festival would be remembered as one 'that compromised its moral and spiritual integrity' because promoters Goldenvoice allowed acts to use their set as a 'platform for political expression'. Kneecap hit back at Sharon's comments, writing, "Statements aren't aggressive, murdering 20,000 children is though. If somebody is hurt by the truth, that's something for them to be hurt by, but it's really important to speak truth." Kneecap's manager Daniel Lambert has also stood by the group. He told RTE , "Thankfully the lads are not afraid to do that." He also relayed that the band faced death threats post-Coachella, calling the severity of these threats "too severe to get into." For the latest local news and features on Irish America, visit our homepage here .
