Latest news with #KatieAmess
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Do students in west Belfast 'stand with Kneecap'?
Irish rap group Kneecap have been in the spotlight for controversial reasons this week and BBC News NI asked young fans in their west Belfast home if their views of the group have changed. The controversy began when a video of a November 2023 gig emerged in which a member of the west Belfast trio says: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP." On Thursday, the Metropolitan Police said they will investigate online videos showing Kneecap calling for the death of British MPs and shouting "up Hamas, up Hezbollah". Kneecap said they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah and would not incite violence against any individual. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are banned in the UK and it is a crime to express support for them. The husband of murdered MP Jo Cox later called on Kneecap to give a "real apology". Katie Amess, whose father Sir David Amess was an MP when he was murdered in 2021, said she was "gobsmacked at the stupidity of somebody or a group of people being in the public eye and saying such dangerous, violent rhetoric". Kneecap say the videos have been taken out of context. A number of politicians have called for the Irish rap band to be uninvited from UK gigs. Some of the band's performances have been cancelled but a number of artists have signed a joint statement in support of Kneecap. But what do students and young people on the Falls Road in west Belfast think? More Kneecap gigs cancelled after 'kill your MP' controversy Kneecap: Rap group are no strangers to controversy, but is this time different? Kneecap apologises to families of two murdered MPs PE and Primary Education student Naoise McCrory, 19, has been a fan of Kneecap for a few years and said her opinion on the group hasn't changed. "Although there's a lot of controversy right now I'm still a fan of Kneecap and I think what they're doing is they're just spreading awareness on major issues that are going on right now in other parts of the world," she said. "I can understand completely why some people have been offended but at the same time I just think personally what they're doing is that they're just trying to spread awareness and some things have been taken too literally and people can be offended on both sides." Naoise has tickets to go and see Kneecap in their Belfast concert at Boucher and says she will "100% still go to their gig". Cinematography and photography student Cian Davison, 24, said he doesn't agree with what Kneecap have been saying recently but he enjoys their music. "I think they're putting Irish language back on the map," he said. "They're very talented individuals, not afraid to wear their identity on their chest and I really enjoy their music. I think they're a great artform and platform for young people to listen to and to relate to. "Obviously to threaten anybody, to make a violent threat is disappointing, like it's not on and shouldn't happen anywhere no matter who you are or where you're from. "I don't agree with what they've been saying lately but I do enjoy their music." Cian added: "Depending on what they say in the future, obviously they should be allowed to have freedom of speech within their artcraft. "They have a lot of susceptible, young fans that would do anything that they say so I think it's important that they watch what they say." English literature student Chloe Bell, 20, is planning to watch Kneecap live when they support Fontaines DC at Belfast Vital in August. She says she still supports Kneecap. "I still listen to their music and I know people are just trying to badmouth them but sure nowadays people are always trying to badmouth people on the internet so everyone always has a problem with something," she said. Chloe said she expects the concert at Boucher Road playing fields will go ahead this summer with Fontaines DC and Kneecap. Aidan Toner, 21, is from west Belfast. He said has seen some videos but they haven't changed his opinion on the trio at all. "They're standing up for their country, as every person should... they can do what they want," he said. "I like their music - I don't think the gigs should be cancelled." Music and Primary Education student Eoin Ferry, 19, said his opinion on Kneecap hasn't changed. "I actually do love Kneecap. I've followed them for years and I do love their music and I enjoy listening to them," he said. "I think that since I have been a fan for such a long time, it's not really changing my opinion on them. I still stand with them." He added: "Personally as a musician myself, it's up to yourself if you want to [state political opinions]. "You shouldn't be made to do anything you don't want to do but if you want to I think that should be fine. "Everyone's always going to have different opinions so I think Kneecap should just keep doing what they're doing and it's up to everyone else what they think of it." Kneecap are an Irish-speaking rap trio who have courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and merchandise. The group was formed in 2017 by three friends who go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí. Their rise to fame inspired a semi-fictionalised film starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender. The film won a British Academy of Film Award (Bafta) in February 2025. Counter-terrorism police investigating Kneecap videos More Kneecap gigs cancelled after 'kill your MP' controversy Daughter of murdered MP calls for Kneecap apology Kneecap apologises to families of two murdered MPs Kneecap should give 'real apology', husband of murdered MP says Call for Kneecap's US visas to be revoked after Coachella Kneecap: Rap group are no strangers to controversy, but is this time different?
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Do students in west Belfast 'stand with Kneecap'?
Irish rap group Kneecap have been in the spotlight for controversial reasons this week and BBC News NI asked young fans in their west Belfast home if their views of the group have changed. The controversy began when a video of a November 2023 gig emerged in which a member of the west Belfast trio says: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP." On Thursday, the Metropolitan Police said they will investigate online videos showing Kneecap calling for the death of British MPs and shouting "up Hamas, up Hezbollah". Kneecap said they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah and would not incite violence against any individual. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are banned in the UK and it is a crime to express support for them. The husband of murdered MP Jo Cox later called on Kneecap to give a "real apology". Katie Amess, whose father Sir David Amess was an MP when he was murdered in 2021, said she was "gobsmacked at the stupidity of somebody or a group of people being in the public eye and saying such dangerous, violent rhetoric". Kneecap say the videos have been taken out of context. A number of politicians have called for the Irish rap band to be uninvited from UK gigs. Some of the band's performances have been cancelled but a number of artists have signed a joint statement in support of Kneecap. But what do students and young people on the Falls Road in west Belfast think? More Kneecap gigs cancelled after 'kill your MP' controversy Kneecap: Rap group are no strangers to controversy, but is this time different? Kneecap apologises to families of two murdered MPs PE and Primary Education student Naoise McCrory, 19, has been a fan of Kneecap for a few years and said her opinion on the group hasn't changed. "Although there's a lot of controversy right now I'm still a fan of Kneecap and I think what they're doing is they're just spreading awareness on major issues that are going on right now in other parts of the world," she said. "I can understand completely why some people have been offended but at the same time I just think personally what they're doing is that they're just trying to spread awareness and some things have been taken too literally and people can be offended on both sides." Naoise has tickets to go and see Kneecap in their Belfast concert at Boucher and says she will "100% still go to their gig". Cinematography and photography student Cian Davison, 24, said he doesn't agree with what Kneecap have been saying recently but he enjoys their music. "I think they're putting Irish language back on the map," he said. "They're very talented individuals, not afraid to wear their identity on their chest and I really enjoy their music. I think they're a great artform and platform for young people to listen to and to relate to. "Obviously to threaten anybody, to make a violent threat is disappointing, like it's not on and shouldn't happen anywhere no matter who you are or where you're from. "I don't agree with what they've been saying lately but I do enjoy their music." Cian added: "Depending on what they say in the future, obviously they should be allowed to have freedom of speech within their artcraft. "They have a lot of susceptible, young fans that would do anything that they say so I think it's important that they watch what they say." English literature student Chloe Bell, 20, is planning to watch Kneecap live when they support Fontaines DC at Belfast Vital in August. She says she still supports Kneecap. "I still listen to their music and I know people are just trying to badmouth them but sure nowadays people are always trying to badmouth people on the internet so everyone always has a problem with something," she said. Chloe said she expects the concert at Boucher Road playing fields will go ahead this summer with Fontaines DC and Kneecap. Aidan Toner, 21, is from west Belfast. He said has seen some videos but they haven't changed his opinion on the trio at all. "They're standing up for their country, as every person should... they can do what they want," he said. "I like their music - I don't think the gigs should be cancelled." Music and Primary Education student Eoin Ferry, 19, said his opinion on Kneecap hasn't changed. "I actually do love Kneecap. I've followed them for years and I do love their music and I enjoy listening to them," he said. "I think that since I have been a fan for such a long time, it's not really changing my opinion on them. I still stand with them." He added: "Personally as a musician myself, it's up to yourself if you want to [state political opinions]. "You shouldn't be made to do anything you don't want to do but if you want to I think that should be fine. "Everyone's always going to have different opinions so I think Kneecap should just keep doing what they're doing and it's up to everyone else what they think of it." Kneecap are an Irish-speaking rap trio who have courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and merchandise. The group was formed in 2017 by three friends who go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí. Their rise to fame inspired a semi-fictionalised film starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender. The film won a British Academy of Film Award (Bafta) in February 2025. Counter-terrorism police investigating Kneecap videos More Kneecap gigs cancelled after 'kill your MP' controversy Daughter of murdered MP calls for Kneecap apology Kneecap apologises to families of two murdered MPs Kneecap should give 'real apology', husband of murdered MP says Call for Kneecap's US visas to be revoked after Coachella Kneecap: Rap group are no strangers to controversy, but is this time different?
BBC News
03-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Kneecap: Do students in west Belfast 'stand with Kneecap?'
Irish rap group Kneecap have been in the spotlight for controversial reasons this week and BBC News NI asked young fans in their west Belfast home if their views of the group have controversy began when a video of a November 2023 gig emerged in which a member of the west Belfast trio says: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP."On Thursday, the Metropolitan Police said they will investigate online videos showing Kneecap calling for the death of British MPs and shouting "up Hamas, up Hezbollah".Kneecap said they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah and would not incite violence against any individual. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are banned in the UK and it is a crime to express support for husband of murdered MP Jo Cox later called on Kneecap to give a "real apology".Katie Amess, whose father Sir David Amess was an MP when he was murdered in 2021, said she was "gobsmacked at the stupidity of somebody or a group of people being in the public eye and saying such dangerous, violent rhetoric".Kneecap say the videos have been taken out of context.A number of politicians have called for the Irish rap band to be uninvited from UK of the band's performances have been cancelled but a number of artists have signed a joint statement in support of what do students and young people on the Falls Road in west Belfast think? 'I'm still a fan' PE and Primary Education student Naoise McCrory, 19, has been a fan of Kneecap for a few years and said her opinion on the group hasn't changed. "Although there's a lot of controversy right now I'm still a fan of Kneecap and I think what they're doing is they're just spreading awareness on major issues that are going on right now in other parts of the world," she said."I can understand completely why some people have been offended but at the same time I just think personally what they're doing is that they're just trying to spread awareness and some things have been taken too literally and people can be offended on both sides."Naoise has tickets to go and see Kneecap in their Belfast concert at Boucher and says she will "100% still go to their gig". 'Susceptible, young fans' Cinematography and photography student Cian Davison, 24, said he doesn't agree with what Kneecap have been saying recently but he enjoys their music. "I think they're putting Irish language back on the map," he said."They're very talented individuals, not afraid to wear their identity on their chest and I really enjoy their music. I think they're a great artform and platform for young people to listen to and to relate to."Obviously to threaten anybody, to make a violent threat is disappointing, like it's not on and shouldn't happen anywhere no matter who you are or where you're from."I don't agree with what they've been saying lately but I do enjoy their music."Cian added: "Depending on what they say in the future, obviously they should be allowed to have freedom of speech within their artcraft."They have a lot of susceptible, young fans that would do anything that they say so I think it's important that they watch what they say." 'I still listen to their music' English literature student Chloe Bell, 20, is planning to watch Kneecap live when they support Fontaines DC at Belfast Vital in August. She says she still supports Kneecap."I still listen to their music and I know people are just trying to badmouth them but sure nowadays people are always trying to badmouth people on the internet so everyone always has a problem with something," she said she expects the concert at Boucher Road playing fields will go ahead this summer with Fontaines DC and Kneecap. 'They can do what they want' Aidan Toner, 21, is from west said has seen some videos but they haven't changed his opinion on the trio at all. "They're standing up for their country, as every person should... they can do what they want," he said."I like their music - I don't think the gigs should be cancelled." 'I still stand with them' Music and Primary Education student Eoin Ferry, 19, said his opinion on Kneecap hasn't changed. "I actually do love Kneecap. I've followed them for years and I do love their music and I enjoy listening to them," he said."I think that since I have been a fan for such a long time, it's not really changing my opinion on them. I still stand with them."He added: "Personally as a musician myself, it's up to yourself if you want to [state political opinions]. "You shouldn't be made to do anything you don't want to do but if you want to I think that should be fine."Everyone's always going to have different opinions so I think Kneecap should just keep doing what they're doing and it's up to everyone else what they think of it." Who are Kneecap? Kneecap are an Irish-speaking rap trio who have courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and group was formed in 2017 by three friends who go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí.Their rise to fame inspired a semi-fictionalised film starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael film won a British Academy of Film Award (Bafta) in February 2025.
The Herald Scotland
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Kneecap's manager says rap trio ‘happy to meet' Sir David Amess' daughter
Katie Amess said she was 'absolutely heartbroken' after seeing the clip, from a performance in November 2023, because it 'brought back so much pain and upset', and called for the group to 'take full accountability' before being allowed to perform on stage. She said she would be willing to meet the group and tell them how her life has been 'obliterated' by her father's death. DJ Provai of Kneecap (Niall Carson/PA) The group's manager, Daniel Lambert, told The Pat Kenny Show on Irish radio station Newstalk: 'The lads are happy to talk to that lady. 'The lads are happy to meet with that lady. The lads are happy to apologise to that lady.' Ms Amess has urged a 'thorough investigation to determine the full extent of any criminal activity' and said it 'is imperative that individuals and groups are held accountable for their words and actions that incite violence and hatred'. Lambert suggested that the footage emerged because the group criticised Israel over the conflict in Gaza during their performances at Coachella in the US. He told the radio show: 'You've got to focus on this. Why has this emerged? And I've said this on several radio shows already. Kneecap went to Coachella and Kneecap said at Coachella, facts. Facts about what happened (in Gaza).' He added: 'And you know what happened as a response? All of this.' Earlier this week, Brendan Cox, whose wife Ms Cox was murdered in 2016, called Kneecap's statement 'only half an apology'. Counter-terrorism officers are investigating the footage from November 2023 as well as another piece of footage from November 2024 that appears to show one of them shouting 'up Hamas, up Hezbollah'. New track coming soon….stay tuned…lock down your aerial 📻 — KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) May 2, 2025 The Northern Irish band posted a statement online saying they have 'never supported' Hamas or Hezbollah, which are both banned organisations in the UK. Jewish groups and MPs, as well as former X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne, have called for them to be dropped from the Glastonbury line-up, while Kneecap have claimed footage of the incident has been 'exploited and weaponised'. On Friday, Kneecap teased new music and posted an image on X of one of them wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh patterned scarf, saying: 'New track coming soon….stay tuned…lock down your aerial.' On Thursday, the Met Police said they were made 'aware' in April of two lots of footage from November 2023 and 2024, and the force's Counter Terrorism Command would be investigating. A statement said: 'Both videos were referred to the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit for assessment by specialist officers, who have determined there are grounds for further investigation into potential offences linked to both videos.' Artists including CMAT, Massive Attack, The Pogues, Brian Eno, Pulp, Paul Weller, former BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac and Primal Scream have defended the band. They signed a statement saying there is a 'clear, concerted attempt to censor and ultimately deplatform' Kneecap, while claiming that politicians are 'strategically concocting moral outrage over the stage utterings of a young punk band' while ignoring a 'genocide' in Gaza. Kneecap performing at the SSE Arena in Belfast (Liam McBurney/PA) After the footage emerged, members of Kneecap, who go by the names Moglai Bap, Mo Chara and DJ Provai, saw their performance at the Eden Project in Cornwall axed, while ticket websites for three gigs in Germany said the shows in the country had been cancelled. The Eden Project performance was moved to Plymouth Pavilions, but that concert was also scrapped. Hours later, music venue The Depo, also based in Plymouth, announced it would be holding three Kneecap gigs at the beginning of July. Festivals in the Netherlands, Paradiso Festival in Amsterdam, and Czech Republic's Rock for People have said they are assessing the situation. Kneecap, made up of Liam Og O Hannaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh, formed in 2017 and are known for their provocative lyrics and merchandise as well as their championing of the Irish language.
Extra.ie
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Daughter of murdered MP 'more than willing' to meet Kneecap
Katie Amess, daughter of murdered Conservative MP Sir David Amess, has said she would be 'willing' to meet members of Irish rap group Kneecap, stating that the trio needs 're-education' after their remarks during recent performances. The Belfast-based group sparked outrage after video footage surfaced of them allegedly telling a crowd, 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.' In another clip, they appeared to chant 'Up Hamas, Up Hezbollah' to concertgoers. The Metropolitan Police are now reviewing the videos to assess whether further investigation is warranted. Kneecap later posted a statement online, distancing themselves from Hamas and Hezbollah, condemning violence against civilians, and offering apologies to the families of murdered MPs Jo Cox and David Amess. 'We send our heartfelt apologies. We never intended to cause you hurt,' the statement read. View this post on Instagram A post shared by KNEECAP (@kneecap32) However, for Katie Amess, a social media post wasn't enough. Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast on Thursday, she criticised the group for not reaching out directly. 'A public statement online really isn't going to cut it,' she said. 'They didn't actually contact us, we haven't heard from them directly. If someone hadn't sent me the post, I might never have seen it.' Kneecap Pic: Wiktor Szymanowicz/Anadolu via Getty Images Amess questioned the band's claims that their comments were taken out of context. 'What they said – verbatim – was, 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.' I don't see how that could be misinterpreted.' Despite her deep upset, she expressed a willingness to meet the band in person. 'If they want to meet face to face, to hear what it's like to be a victim of this kind of violence and how distressing it is to hear that sort of rhetoric, I'd be more than willing,' she said. 'They need re-education, this kind of incitement is beyond stupidity.' Murdered Conservative MP Sir David Amess. Pic: Shutterstock Several music festivals have since pulled Kneecap from their lineups, a move Katie Amess supports. 'They're not the victims here,' she said. 'The victims are people who've experienced political violence. The police need to investigate whether anyone was incited to act, how many people heard it, and whether there are wider implications. 'This should go through the justice system, it's a serious matter.'
