Latest news with #LiamO'Hanna
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Kneecap cancel festival appearance as controversy erupts over Irish rap act
Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap have pulled out of this year's TRNSMT Festival following calls for the group to be removed from the line-up. The Belfast-based group were scheduled to perform at Glasgow Green in July, but will no longer appear following news that group member Liam O'Hanna has been charged by the Metropolitan Police. O'Hanna, 27 - who performs under the stage name Mo Chara - was charged with allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, a designated terrorist organisation in the UK. The charge relates to an incident that reportedly took place on November 21, 2023, during a performance at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London. In the wake of the controversy, Kneecap will instead perform at the O2 Academy on Tuesday, July 8 — the same week they were due to appear at TRNSMT. In a statement on social media, Kneecap said: "'Due to concerns expressed by the Police about safety at the event, Kneecap can no longer perform at TRNSMT'. To the thousands of people who bought tickets, flights and hotels to see us play, we are sorry ... it is out of our hands." They continued: "Glasgow has always been a huge city for us. We've played there many many times, with no issues - ever. Make of that what you will. To try and make up for it, we will be at your O2 Academy on Tuesday July 8th. Pre-sale is tomorrow at 10am in our WhatsApp channel. General sale is 10am this coming Saturday." A Police Scotland spokesperson told the Scottish Sun: "Any decision on the line up at TRNSMT is for the organisers and there was no prior consultation with Police Scotland before acts were booked. Officers have highlighted the potential reaction of such a large audience to this band would require a significant policing operation in order to support the delivery of a safe event. We have also passed on information from the public around safety concerns to allow organisers to make an informed decision on the running of the festival." This is a breaking showbiz news story. Join The Mirror's ****WhatsApp Community ****or follow us on ****, ****, Apple News, ****, ****, ****, ****, ****, **** and **** - or visit The Mirror homepage**
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Kneecap PULL OUT of TRNSMT amid calls for rappers to be axed from line-up
'WE ARE SORRY' 'WE ARE SORRY' Kneecap PULL OUT of TRNSMT amid calls for rappers to be axed from line-up Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) KNEECAP has pulled out of this year's TRNSMT line-up following calls for the group to be axed. The Irish hip-hop trio were due to perform at Glasgow Green in July. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap will no longer perform at TRNSMT Credit: PA 3 TRNSMT festival returns to Glasgow Green this summer with a host of stars Credit: Roddy Scott But the Met Police confirmed rapper Liam O'Hanna, 27, from Belfast, was charged with allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah. O'Hanna, who performs under the moniker Mo Chara, has been charged with displaying a flag in support of the Iranian proxy force in Lebanon. The alleged incident unfolded on November 21 last year at the O2 Forum, in Kentish Town, London. Kneecap will instead play a gig at Glasgow's O2 Academy on Tuesday, July 8. Today's announcement follows growing calls for the group to be banned from playing the Glasgow Green event. They have faced backlash after videos emerged of the self-proclaimed "Repbulican hoods" urging fans to "kill your local MP" and chanting "The only good Tory is a dead Tory". In a statement on Facebook, the group wrote: "Due to concerns expressed by the police about safety at the event, Kneecap can no longer perform at TRNSMT. "To the thousands of people who bought tickets, flights and hotels to see us play, we are is out of our hands. "Glasgow has always been a huge city for us. We've played there many many times, with no issues - ever. Make of that what you will. "To try to make up for it, we will be at your O2 Academy on Tuesday July 8th. "Pre-sale is tomorrow at 10am in our WhatsApp channel. "General sale is 10am this coming Saturday." A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Any decision on the line up at TRNSMT is for the organisers and there was no prior consultation with Police Scotland before acts were booked. "Officers have highlighted the potential reaction of such a large audience to this band would require a significant policing operation in order to support the delivery of a safe event. "We have also passed on information from the public around safety concerns to allow organisers to make an informed decision on the running of the festival." 3 Kneecap comprises Liam Og O Hannaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh Credit: Peadar Ó Goill A spokesperson for TRNSMT said: 'Due to concerns expressed by the Police about safety at the event, Kneecap will no longer perform at TRNSMT on Friday, 11 July. We thank fans for their understanding." First Minister John Swinney recently waded into the row saying it was 'unacceptable' for them to perform at TRNSMT. Some have also called for the group's Glastonbury slot to be axed and their music removed from streaming sites in the Commons. It comes after they were dropped from a festival line-up in Cornwall. Kneecap first came under fire after ending their Coachella performance with a pro-Palestinian message. A message reading "F*** Israel, Free Palestine" appeared on the screen behind them at the end of their set. Sharon Osbourne, whose father was Jewish, slammed them on Instagram and demanded their US visas be revoked. It also emerged the Coachella gig led to the band receiving death threats. When asked about the threats, their manager Daniel Lambert told Irish broadcaster RTÉ: "It would be too severe to tell you on the radio at this time of day but you could probably imagine the things yourself." When asked if the messages specifically included death threats, he said: "They have yes." He added: "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." A film about the band was also released in 2024 and saw the director Rich Peppiatt win a BAFTA for Outstanding Debut. Last year Kneecap won their action challenging the withdrawal of arts funding by the previous Tory government.
Scottish Sun
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Celtic ultras the Green Brigade wade into controversial Kneecap ‘terror' row during Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen
BIG BANNER Celtic ultras the Green Brigade wade into controversial Kneecap 'terror' row during Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE GREEN Brigade have waded into the debate surrounding controversial Irish band Kneecap. A member of the hip-hop trio was charged with terror offences this week, in relation to an incident in Kentish Town in London last year. Sign up for the Celtic newsletter Sign up 2 Northern Irish Hip Hop trio Kneecap performing beneath a 'Free Palestine' flag Credit: AFP Rapper Liam O'Hanna, 27, from Belfast, has been charged with allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah. And they have faced backlash after videos emerged of the self-proclaimed "Repbulican hoods" urging fans to "kill your local MP" and chanting "The only good Tory is a dead Tory" The band are due to play the TRSNMT Festival in Glasgow in July but there are growing calls for them to be removed from the line-up. First Minister John Swinney was among those to call for the group to be banned from playing at the Glasgow Green event. Kneecap are known for their advocacy of Irish Republicanism and the Green Brigade unveiled a banner to show their support for the Belfast group. The Celtic ultras were in attendance at today's Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen. And after ten minutes they unfurled a display which read "ABU KNEECAP" from their position behind the goal. In Irish Gaelic, "abu" (abú) is an interjection meaning "hurray," "up with," or "forever," often used as a battle cry. It essentially means "On to victory" or "Victory for us". 2 The banner was unfurled by the Green Brigade after ten minutes at Hampden Kneecap have threatened to sue the critics who are trying to cancel their TRSNMT and Glastonbury shows. Glasgow City Council leader Susan Aitken said: "The UK is a state where MPs have been murdered in recent years. Words can and do matter. Major TRNSMT act Kneecap in doubt after member charged with TERROR offences "That, certainly not on the part of the SNP group, doesn't translate into support for a ban on them playing in Glasgow or indeed anywhere else. "Or indeed does it take away from the point that the condemnation of Kneecap, particularly in the United States, much of it does appear to be driven by a wider dislike of their stances, not only their position in support of the Palestinian people but also their general stance of satirical provocation." Kneecap has since issued an apology to the families of murdered MPs Sir David Amess, who was killed by an Islamic State fanatic in 2021, and Jo Cox, who was killed by far-right extremist Thomas Mair in 2016. Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Daily Mirror
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Kneecap urge fans to attend court as they say 'we're on right side of history'
Irish rap trio Kneecap have put out a message to their fans to join them outside Westminster Magistrates Court next month as bandmember Liam O'Hanna was charged with terror offence Irish rap group Kneecap have defiantly taken to the stage in London where they asked fans to support them outside court next month. It comes after member Liam O'Hanna, who uses the stage name Mo Chara, was charged with a terror offence this week. He is set to appear before Westminster Magistrates Court on June 18 after being charged for the alleged display of a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London last November. The band have strongly denied the charges against O'Hanna and said they will "vehemently defend" themselves against "political policing". Tonight, the group performed a headline slot at Wide Awake Festival in Brockwell Park, south London. While on stage, Kneecap, comprised of Liam Og O Hannaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh, addressed the hearing as they urged fans to gather outside the court. They said: 'If anybody's about on June 18…we're all going to gather outside the Westminster court to show support.' Addressing the crowd, the Belfast trio added: 'Anybody who's free on June 18, get a big bag of Ket and we'll go on the steps of Westminster.' Liam also directly addressed the charge against him as he said 'they are trying to silence us'. He shared: 'I went for an interview with the counter-terror police and within days they came to a verdict that they were going to charge me, never has it been that quick. And the reason it was that quick was because Glastonbury is just around the corner, they're trying to silence us.' Kneecap are due to perform at Worthy Farm on Saturday 28 June, which has been put in doubt by the charge. They also faced intense backlash following their appearance at Coachella, which is often seen as the US equivalent of Glastonbury. While on stage, the band 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'. Kneecap were also uncertain on whether their gig tonight would be pulled. As they took to the stage, they said: 'Thank you very much. They tried to stop this gig. Honestly lads you have no idea how close we were to being pulled off this gig.' Liam told the crowd the band are being "made an example of". He said: "We are being made an example of, the Israeli lobbyists are trying to prove to other artists 'that if you speak out, we're going to hit you where it hurts most'. 'They're trying to cancel gigs, they trying to cancel my freedom of travel. And the fact that I'm speaking to this amount of people, and I assume the majority of you will agree, shows that we're on the right side of history.' Just last night, Kneecap held a surprise gig at the 100 Club on Oxford Street, as Liam arrived on stage with tape covering his mouth. He joked: "I need to thank my lawyer, he's here tonight as well." Following the charge, the band issued a powerful statement where they said: "14,000 babies are about to die of starvation in Gaza, with food sent by the world sitting on the other side of a wall, and once again, the British establishment is focused on us. "We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves. This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction. We are not the story. Genocide is. As they profit from genocide, they use an 'anti-terror law' against us for displaying a flag thrown on stage. "A charge not serious enough to even warrant their 'crown court', instead a court that doesn't have a jury. What's the objective? To restrict our travel ability. To prevent us speaking to young people across the world. To silence voices of compassion. To prosecute artists who dare to speak out. "Instead of defending innocent people, or the principles of international law they claim to uphold, the powerful in Britain have abetted slaughter and famine in Gaza, just as they did in Ireland for centuries. Then, like now, they claim justification. The IDF units they arm and fly spy plane missions for are the real terrorists, the whole world can see it. "We stand proudly with the people. You stand complicit with the war criminals. We are on the right side of history. You are not. We will fight you in court. We will win. Free Palestine."
Metro
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Metro
Kneecap declare 'they are trying to silence us' as rapper faces terror charge
Kneecap received a wildly positive reception as they arrived on stage at the Wide Awake festival at Brockwell Park in south London tonight. Ahead of their entrance, videos of the Irish rap trio being condemned were shown on a screen. The message 'Free Palestine' was also displayed and was met with cheers from the crowd. It comes as member Liam O'Hanna, who performs in the band along with Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh, faces charges of a terror offence over the alleged display of a Hezbollah flag. Stepping out tonight, the performer declared that he is being 'silenced'. He told the audience: 'I went for an interview with the counter-terror police, and within days they came to a verdict that they were going to charge me; never has it been that quick. 'And the reason it was that quick was because Glastonbury is just around the corner; they're trying to silence us.' We've teamed up with SXSW London to give away two pairs of Music Festival Wristbands valid for 2-7 June 2025. Headliners include Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Tems, Brit Award-winning artist Mabel, Crystal Castles's Alice Glass, and East London-based R&B artist NAO, plus emerging talent set to perform at showcase acts around Shoreditch. Click here to find out more about SXSW London's incredible events and how to enter to be in with a chance to win, or simply enter your details using the form below. *T&Cs apply. You have until midnight on Sunday 25th May 2025 to enter. Good luck! * Open to legal residents of Great Britain (excluding Northern Ireland) aged 18 or over. Promotion opens at 06:01 BST on 13 May 2025 and closes at 23:59 BST on 25 May 2025. The promotion is free to enter; however internet access is required. Entrant must visit and when prompted by the form, submit their name, email, telephone number, date of birth and postcode. Acceptance of the terms and conditions (by ticking the relevant checkbox) is necessary to enter the promotion. 1 entry per person. 1 prize available per person. There will be two (2) winners. Each winner will win two (2) Full Week (6 days) Music Festival Wristbands (each such wristband worth £99) granting secondary access to Official SXSW London Music Festival showcases valid from 2 until 7 June 2025. Proof of age and photographic ID is required for entry (18+). The prize, including entry and attendance at SXSW, is subject to and governed by the SXSW's full ticket terms and conditions here. Full T&Cs apply, see here. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch recently called for Kneecap to be banned and suggested they should be dropped from the Glastonbury Festival bill this June, with a number of other politicians making the same demand. The 27-year-old rap star, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, said he believes the group are 'being made an example of'. O'Hanna continued: 'We are being made an example of; the Israeli lobbyists are trying to prove to other artists that if you speak out, we're going to hit you where it hurts most. 'They're trying to cancel gigs; they're trying to cancel my freedom of travel. 'And the fact that I'm speaking to this amount of people, and I assume the majority of you will agree, shows that we're on the right side of history.' Echoing his remarks, another member of the group said: 'Thank you very much. They tried to stop this gig.' Another was heard saying: 'Honestly, lads, you have no idea how close we were to being pulled off this gig.' Members of the trio later urged their fans to gather outside court for the first hearing of their bandmate. 'If anybody's about on June 18… we're all going to gather outside the Westminster court to show support. 'Anybody who's free on June 18, get a big bag of Ket, and we'll go on the steps of Westminster.' The incident that led to O'Hanna's charges is alleged to have happened at a concert last November. However, the Metropolitan Police said it was only made aware of video footage the following April. He is alleged to have displayed the flag of Lebanese Shia Islamist political party Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation in the UK, 'in such a way or in such circumstances as to arouse reasonable suspicion that he is a supporter of a proscribed organisation.' O'Hanna will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on June 18. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: Police crash Kneecap's surprise gig after rapper is charged with terror offence over 'Hezbollah flag' MORE: Kneecap vow to 'fight back' after rapper is charged with terror offence over 'Hezbollah flag' MORE: Kneecap axed from festival after footage calling for deaths of MPs resurfaces
