After many pageant cancelations resulting from Kneecap’s pro-Palestine activism and a terrorism cost for member Mo Chara, the Irish-language rap trio made it to Glastonbury and carried out a profitable set that featured disses of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Rod Stewart.
Forward of the present, Starmer instructed The Solar about Kneecap’s place on the Glastonbury lineup, “That is in regards to the threats that shouldn’t be made, I gained’t say an excessive amount of as a result of there’s a courtroom case on, however I don’t suppose that’s acceptable.”
Chara instructed the huge crowd, “Glastonbury, I’m a free man!” He added, “The Prime Minister of your nation — not ours — mentioned he didn’t need us to play. So fuck Keir Starmer,” encouraging a chant. Then, Stewart caught a stray: “Anyone going to Rod Stewart tomorrow? The person is older than Israel!” Chara quipped.
Bandmate Moglai Bap provided an replace on Chara’s authorized state of affairs, saying, “You may need seen Mo Chara was within the Westminster courts this month. Mo Chara’s again in courtroom for a trumped-up terrorism cost. It’s not the primary time there was a miscarriage of justice for an Irish particular person within the British justice system. So if anyone’s out there on August 20 at Westminster, we’ll go to assist Mo Chara and begin a riot exterior the courts… that’s for the Each day Mail!”
In a while, he backtracked, “I don’t need anyone to start out a riot. No riots, simply love and assist and extra importantly assist for Palestine, as a result of that’s what it’s all about.”
“We’re all watching it, all of us have a telephone, there’s no fucking hiding it,” Chara additionally mentioned. “Israel are struggle criminals. It’s a fucking genocide. And it’s necessary… I can see the quantity of Palestinian flags right here, and it’s fucking insane. The BBC editor’s gonna have some job. So generally we really feel helpless. Typically we really feel like we’re not doing sufficient. And that’s in all probability true generally.
“However the distinction it makes to individuals in Palestine once they see individuals from the opposite aspect of the world, this many individuals screaming…” he concluded earlier than main the gang in a “Free Palestine” chant.
Their efficiency wasn’t livestreamed, however Kneecap assured followers on Instagram that the BBC “WILL put our set from Glastonbury right now on the I-player later this night to your viewing pleasure.”
The British punk/grime act Bob Vylan carried out proper earlier than Kneecap and the duo’s Bobby Vylan led “Free Palestine” and “Dying to the IDF” chants, which had been broadcast on the livestream. Afterwards BBC mentioned these feedback had been “deeply offensive” and that the set wouldn’t be viewable on-demand.
Avon and Somerset Police now say they’re assessing each performances “to find out whether or not any offences might have been dedicated that might require a prison investigation.”
@backstageburner Kneecap closing their Glasto set right now #newmusic #glastonbury ♬ authentic sound – backstageburner