Latest news with #O2Academy


Glasgow Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Irish rap trio Kneecap sell out Glasgow Hydro show
The group previously announced that they would be taking to the stage at the OVO Hydro on November 30, their biggest gig in the city to date. Presale tickets were available from 10am on Tuesday, July 16, and on general sale from 10am on Friday, July 18. Ticket prices were expected to range from £53.60 to £64.95. READ NEXT: Kneecap to play Glasgow's OVO Hydro this November In a post on Instagram, the group thanked fans for their support and jokingly thanked Scotland's First Minister. It reads: 'Glasgow, sold out in a few hours. 13,000 Scottish comrades, let's go. A very special thank you to our head of PR in Scotland, Mr John Swinney. 'Best in the business.' The comments came after Swinney called for Kneecap to be dropped from the TRNSMT festival line-up, due to an investigation by counter-terror police into band member Liam Og O hAnnaidh. After the trio were cut from the Glasgow Green event, they performed a headline gig at the city's O2 Academy on July 8. Tickets for this show sold out 'in just 80 seconds'.


STV News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- STV News
Kneecap 'thank' John Swinney as Hydro show sells out in hours
Kneecap have issued a 'very special thank you' to Scotland's First Minister after tickets for their first ever OVO Hydro show sold out in hours. In a social media post, the band said: 'Glasgow SOLD OUT in a few hours. 'A very special thank you to our Head of PR in Scotland Mr John Swinney….best in the business.' Earlier this week, the controversial rap group announced their 'biggest run of shows ever' across Scotland, Wales and England. Tickets for the Kneecap's O2 Academy show earlier in July sold out in just over a minute after the group were axed from the TRNSMT line up. John Swinney previously said comments made by the band were 'unacceptable' after a video at a 2023 gig appeared to show one member saying: 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.' Rapper Mo Chara has also been accused of terrorism offences related to a Hezbollah flag he allegedly held up on stage. The First Minister called for them to be axed from the Scottish music festival as a result, and their cancellation came after safety concerns were raised by Police Scotland. STV News During Kneecap's O2 Academy show earlier this month, Mo Chara, whose real name is Liam O hAnnaidh, asked the crowd: 'What's your First Minister's name?' He then added: 'They stopped us playing TRNSMT but they can't stop us playing Glasgow.' Swinney later said that he 'welcomes' the band performing in Scotland, adding: 'They've got to make their contribution to the music scene.' The Belfast group, who perform in Irish, have been an outspoken critic of the war in Gaza and said the ongoing Met Office investigation is linked to their views on Palestine. The group were investigated by Avon and Somerset Police after a member of Kneecap suggested during their Glastonbury set that fans 'start a riot' outside O hAnnaidh's upcoming court appearance, before clarifying: 'No riots, just love and support.' Police said on Friday it will be taking 'no further action' due to 'insufficient evidence'. Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the band's comments were 'clearly inciting violence'. The group have said they have been a target of 'political policing' in the UK. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country


Glasgow Times
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
The Fratellis announce Glasgow gig at O2 Academy next year
The Glasgow trio confirmed they will return to their hometown next year, performing at the O2 Academy on Thursday, February 26, 2026, as part of their 'Celebrating 20 Years of Costello Music' tour. The tour was originally announced in May, but notably did not include a Scottish date, sparking disappointment among fans. (Image: The Fratellis, David Eustace) READ MORE: American music legend announces exciting Glasgow gig The band later teased their followers with a cheeky social media post that read: 'No Scotland, no party.' However, when the Glasgow date was officially announced this morning, fans were quick to voice their displeasure, pointing out that a single show on a Thursday night fell far short of expectations. One fan wrote: 'Seriously, only one Scottish date?' Another added: 'You made us wait for one date?! Has to be more Scottish dates to come, surely.' The sentiment was echoed across social media, with fans branding the announcement 'disappointing" and even going as far as saying the band should 'hang their heads in shame.' READ MORE: US pop sensation spotted 'exploring' Glasgow ahead of gig Criticism also extended to the choice of venue, with several fans expressing disappointment that the gig was not booked at the iconic Barrowland Ballroom. One user commented: 'One Scottish date and not the Barrowlands!!' Another wrote: "One Scotland date? O2 academy of all places?!" Others were frustrated by the timing, writing: 'On Thursday night? What use is that… We are the party!' Another chimed in: "We waited two months for one date, on a Thursday night, at the O2 Academy!?" Despite the backlash, tickets are expected to sell quickly. Presale opens at 10am on Wednesday, July 17, with general sale beginning at 10am on Thursday, July 18. (Image: The Fratellis, David Eustace) READ MORE: Legendary indie rock band announces Glasgow Hydro gig The tour celebrates two decades since the release of The Fratellis' debut album Costello Music, which featured indie anthems such as Henrietta, Whistle for the Choir, and the ever-popular Chelsea Dagger. The band, which burst onto the scene in 2006, have played a string of major festivals this summer, including Glastonbury, and will kick off their UK-wide tour early next year. While some fans are still holding out hope for additional Scottish dates, there's been no official word from the band, leaving many to ask whether one night in Glasgow is truly enough for a homecoming celebration.


Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Kneecap announce new tour dates for group's ‘biggest run of shows ever'
The move comes after Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was charged in May with a terrorism offence relating to displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, north London, during a gig in November 2024. The group said their actions, including holding the Hezbollah flag, had been taken out of context. Announcing the news on Tuesday, the group – which is made up of O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh – shared a post on Instagram with the caption that read: 'Here we go. 'We're back in November across Scotland, England and Wales to play our biggest run of shows ever. 'All of ye can get a pre-sale link for tomorrow at 10am ahead of the masses by signing up to our mailer or WhatsApp channel. 'The Prime Minster himself cant stop us…he could stop sending bombs to Israel but that's another story…' The group are known for speaking out against the war in Gaza, and recently performed to a sea of Palestinian flags during their set at Glastonbury Festival in June. They claim the controversies surrounding the group are part of a smear campaign against them because of their vocal support for Palestine and criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, which they say is a genocide. The group recently performed at Glasgow's O2 Academy, in a gig which sold out in 80 seconds. They were due to perform at TRNSMT festival in Glasgow, but their set was axed after concerns raised by police. Their tour will start in Bournemouth on November 14 before moving on to Liverpool, Newcastle and Glasgow. Kneecap will also perform in London at the previously announced show at OVO Arena Wembley on September 18.


Extra.ie
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Extra.ie
KNEECAP announce 'biggest run of shows ever' after Glastonbury controversy
KNEECAP have announced their 'biggest run of shows ever' in Scotland, England and Wales for November 2025, following their recently announced London's OVO Wembley Arena show on September 18. The 10-date tour will kick off in Bournemouth's O2 Academy on November 14 and wrap up in Glasgow's OVO Hydro on November 30, with stops in Liverpool, Cardiff, Newcastle, Birmingham and more along the way. Announcing the tour on Instagram, KNEECAP wrote: 'The Prime Minster himself cant stop us…he could stop sending bombs to Israel but that's another story…' View this post on Instagram A post shared by KNEECAP (@kneecap32) This follows KNEECAP's Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, aka Mo Chara, terrorism charges in the UK concerning an alleged display of a Hezbollah flag at a London show in November 2024. The court hearing, originally set for June 18, has now moved to August 20. The band's Glastonbury set, which had been deemed by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer as 'not appropriate'. Their set was not broadcast live on the BBC due to editorial concerns concerning impartiality. Additionally, the trio recently revealed that a recent poster advertising their upcoming Wembley gig has been banned from the London Tube. KNEECAP recently revealed that they've been added to the line-up of this year's sold-out Electric Picnic in Stradbally Hall in Co. Laois from August 29–31. Tickets for KNEECAP's shows in Scotland, England and Wales go on sale this Friday at 10am here.