Saturday, March 29, 2025
Kneecap gigs canceled and it has seen several concerts canceled in Germany following backlash over a video in which the band allegedly calls for MPs to be killed. The performances in Hamburg, Berlin, and Cologne were removed from ticketing sites after the video sparked a police investigation.
The video reportedly shows a band member saying, “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.” As a result, counter-terrorism police are investigating the footage. In addition, politicians have called for Kneecap to be banned from UK events like Glastonbury.
The band’s manager, Daniel Lambert, spoke out on RTÉ’s Prime Time. He criticized the public’s response, calling it “moral hysteria.” Furthermore, he argued that the campaign against Kneecap aimed to silence voices advocating for Palestinian rights.
Lambert stated that the group was unfairly targeted and described the actions as part of a larger attempt to de-platform artists. He emphasized, “It’s about telling young artists they cannot speak about Palestine.”
Kneecap’s scheduled performances at the Hurricane and Southside festivals in Germany were canceled. Additionally, their concert at Cornwall’s Eden Project was also called off, and ticket holders will receive refunds. Although the band’s performance at Boucher Playing Fields in Belfast this August remains uncertain, Belfast City Council member Jim Rodgers has called for a review of the concert. A spokesperson for the council clarified that event programming falls under the organizers’ jurisdiction.
Formed in 2017, Kneecap is known for their Irish-speaking rap and bold political messages. As a result, the trio’s rise to fame inspired a semi-fictionalized film, which won a BAFTA in February 2025. The group is no stranger to controversy, often addressing sensitive political issues such as Palestine in their lyrics.
Following the video’s release, Kneecap apologized to the families of murdered MPs David Amess and Jo Cox. They clarified that the video was taken out of context and was not a call to action. Despite this, Brendan Cox, Jo Cox’s widower, criticized the band’s apology, calling it “half an apology.”
Moreover, TV personality Sharon Osbourne has also called for Kneecap’s US work visas to be revoked following their performance at Coachella, where they condemned Israel’s military actions in Gaza.
The controversy surrounding Kneecap has ignited a larger debate over free speech, political activism, and the role of musicians in addressing global issues. As the investigation continues, the future of the band’s events remains uncertain.
