Irish rap group Kneecap took to the stage in London this weekend, performing at the Wide Awake Festival just days after member Liam O'Hanna was charged with a terror offence.
The Belfast trio, O’Hanna (Mo Chara), Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí, opened their headline set in Brockwell Park by revealing how close the show had come to being cancelled.
The band also warned that mounting political pressure may see their Glastonbury slot pulled next month.
The controversy erupted after O’Hanna was charged over allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a Kneecap gig at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London, in November 2023.
Liam O’Hanna, a member of the group Kneecap, was charged with a terrorism offence
PAThe band vehemently deny the charges and have called the case "political policing," pledging to fight it in court.
Speaking on stage in London, Kneecap told the crowd: “They tried to stop this gig. Honestly lads, you have no idea how close we were to being pulled.”
As fans chanted “Free, Free Palestine,” the group performed in front of a large screen declaring: “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people.”
They also thanked their supporters, saying: “It wasn’t even me! Thank you to all you c**** for supporting us through all this.”
During the set, Liam O’Hanna spoke about his recent charges, revealing that after an interview with counter-terrorism officers, he was charged within a day.
He claimed the timing was deliberate: “The reason it was that quick was because Glastonbury is just around the corner, they’re trying to silence us.”
The group’s Glastonbury appearance next month now hangs in the balance, with police and government officials reportedly pressuring organisers to cancel their slot.
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PAOne of the trio urged the crowd to show support: “If anybody’s about on June 18… we’re all going to gather outside Westminster court.”
Another added, in a tongue-in-cheek comment: “Get a big bag of ket and we’ll go on the steps of Westminster.”
Kneecap's political messages have drawn both praise and criticism.
The group sparked outrage earlier this year during a Coachella performance, where they ended their set with graphics accusing Israel of “genocide” and “war crimes” while telling fans: “F*** Israel. Free Palestine.”
O’Hanna told the Wide Awake crowd he believes the group is being targeted as a warning to other artists: “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’."
Despite the controversy, Kneecap’s fanbase appears undeterred. One fan at the festival said: "We were fans of Kneecap before but we’ve become bigger fans in the last month. I don’t agree with what they said but they had the right intentions in mind and I support their cause.”
Another added: “My girlfriend made me watch the Kneecap film – it was amazing, and I’ve been a fan ever since.”
In a lengthy Instagram statement, Kneecap said: 'We deny this ‘offence’ and will vehemently defend ourselves'
PAA third festival-goer admitted: “I started listening to them because of the controversy and found that their songs slapped so I wanted to watch them.”
Kneecap also performed a surprise set at the 100 Club on Oxford Street earlier this week.
O’Hanna arrived on stage with tape over his mouth, quipping: “I need to thank my lawyer, he’s here tonight as well.”
The gig sold out in 90 seconds, with 2,000 people on the waiting list.
O’Hanna is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 18. In a lengthy Instagram statement, Kneecap said: “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.”
They added: “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.”
