Latest news with #IrishRap
Sky News
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
Kneecap rapper Mo Chara says he's a 'free man' as band draw huge Glastonbury crowd
Kneecap rapper Liam Og O hAnnaidh told Glastonbury he is a "free man" as the Irish rap band played to a huge crowd - the biggest of their career, they said. The trio were defiant on stage after calls from some politicians for them to be cut from the line-up. They were greeted by cheers of support, and dozens of Palestinian flags waving in the crowd, as well as Irish flags and a few "Free Mo Chara" T-shirts. On stage, the band told fans their legal case had been stressful, but emphasised it was nothing compared with what Palestinians are going through. Kneecap played the West Holts stage, which has a capacity of about 30,000, and the area was closed by security about 45 minutes before their set. They started with a montage of news readers covering O hAnnaidh's charge. "Has anybody been watching the news?" bandmate Naoise O Caireallain joked. They also thanked Glastonbury organisers Michael Eavis and daughter Emily for not bowing to pressure to remove them from the bill. Earlier on Saturday, the BBC confirmed they would not be live-streaming the set but said the performance is likely to be made available on-demand later. It is understood the performance will need to be reviewed beforehand. Liam Og O hAnnaidh, also known as Liam O'Hanna - or by his stage name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence in May and appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court earlier this month. Outside the court, he and bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh were cheered by hundreds of supporters. O hAnnaidh is accused of displaying a flag in support of the proscribed group Hezbollah at a gig in London last November, after video footage circulated online. He was released on bail ahead of a second court appearance in August. One of the band's lawyers said they would always "defend not only their rights, but the rights of artists and people all around the world". On social media, O hAnnaidh and the band denied support for Hezbollah after the charge was announced, but the trio are unwavering in their support for Palestinians and speaking out against the war in Gaza. But as the band were removed from other festivals, there were calls from some for them to be taken off the bill at Glastonbury, too - with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer saying he thought they should be axed. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch also said the BBC "should not be showing" the trio's set in a post on social media last week. Kneecap have the support of dozens of musicians including Massive Attack, Pulp, Primal Scream and Paul Weller, who signed an open letter in May saying there had been a "concerted attempt to censor and ultimately de-platform" the group. Kneecap released their first single in 2017 and built a loyal fanbase in the following years. They rose to wider prominence in 2024 following the release of their debut album and award-winning eponymous film - a fictionalised retelling of how the band came together and their fight to save the Irish language.
Arab News
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Irish rap group Kneecap set to play at Glastonbury despite criticism from politicians
PILTON, England: Irish-language rap group Kneecap is set to perform Saturday at the Glastonbury Festival despite criticism by British politicians and a terror charge for one of the trio. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, has been charged under the Terrorism Act with support a proscribed organization 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 criticized 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 don't support Hezbollah or Hamas, nor 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. Several Kneecap gigs have been canceled 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. Opposition Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said the publicly funded BBC should not broadcast 'Kneecap propaganda.' The BBC, which airs many hours of Glastonbury performances, has not said whether it will show Kneecap's set. Some 200,000 ticket holders have gathered at Worthy Farm in southwest England for Britain's most prestigious summer music festival, which features almost 4,000 performers on 120 stages. Headline acts performing over three days ending Sunday include Neil Young, Charli XCX, Rod Stewart, Busta Rhymes, Olivia Rodrigo and Doechii. Glastonbury highlights on Friday included a performance from UK rockers The 1975, an unannounced set by New Zealand singer Lorde, a raucous reception for Gen X icon Alanis Morissette and an emotional return for Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi, two years after he took a break from touring to adjust to the impact of the neurological condition Tourette syndrome.
South China Morning Post
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Irish rappers Kneecap set to play Glastonbury despite criticism from politicians
Irish-language rap group Kneecap is set to perform on Saturday at the Glastonbury Festival despite criticism by British politicians and a terror charge for one of the trio. Advertisement 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.
Washington Post
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Irish rap group Kneecap set to play at Glastonbury despite criticism from politicians
PILTON, England — Irish-language rap group Kneecap is set to perform Saturday at the Glastonbury Festival despite criticism by British politicians and a terror charge for one of the trio. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, has been charged under the Terrorism Act with support a proscribed organization 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 Independent
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Irish rap group Kneecap set to play at Glastonbury despite criticism from politicians
Irish-language rap group Kneecap is set to perform Saturday at the Glastonbury Festival despite criticism by British politicians and a terror charge for one of the trio. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, has been charged under the Terrorism Act with support a proscribed organization 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 criticized 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 don't support Hezbollah or Hamas, nor 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. Several Kneecap gigs have been canceled as a result of the controversy. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, when asked by a journalist, that it would not be 'appropriate' for the festival to give Kneecap a platform. Opposition Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said the publicly funded BBC should not broadcast 'Kneecap propaganda.' The BBC, which airs many hours of Glastonbury performances, has not said whether it will show Kneecap's set. Some 200,000 ticket holders have gathered at Worthy Farm in southwest England for Britain's most prestigious summer music festival, which features almost 4,000 performers on 120 stages. Headline acts performing over three days ending Sunday include Neil Young, Charli XCX, Rod Stewart, Busta Rhymes, Olivia Rodrigo and Doechii. Glastonbury highlights on Friday included a performance from U.K. rockers The 1975, an unannounced set by New Zealand singer Lorde, a raucous reception for Gen X icon Alanis Morissette and an emotional return for Scottish singer Lewis Capaldi, two years after he took a break from touring to adjust to the impact of the neurological condition Tourette syndrome.
