Glastonbury Festival has officially announced its 2025 line-up - and controversial Irish rap group Kneecap is among the confirmed acts.
The trio is scheduled to perform on the West Holts Stage on Saturday, June 28, from 4pm to 5pm, despite mounting political pressure to remove them from the bill.
Their inclusion comes after Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch and several other politicians called on organisers to drop the group due to their history of provocative performances and recent legal issues.
Just last week, Kneecap were pulled from Scotland’s TRNSMT festival after police raised safety concerns.
Just last week, Kneecap were pulled from Scotland’s TRNSMT festival after police raised safety concerns
PAThe move followed the charging of band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh - listed by the Metropolitan Police as Liam O’Hanna - in connection with an incident at a London gig last year.
The 27-year-old from Belfast is accused of displaying a Hezbollah flag at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town on November 21, 2023. He was charged with a terror offence for allegedly showing support for the group in a public setting.
Despite the controversy, Kneecap performed days later at London’s Wide Awake Festival, where they addressed the crowd and denounced the charges as politically motivated.
“They tried to stop this gig. Honestly lads, you have no idea how close we were to being pulled,” they said on stage.
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The 27-year-old from Belfast has been charged by postal requisition with displaying a flag in support of HezbollahGETTYO’Hanna added that he had been interviewed by counter-terrorism officers and charged within a day, suggesting the timing was no coincidence.
“The reason it was that quick was because Glastonbury is just around the corner- they’re trying to silence us," he stated.
He went on to claim that the band was being targeted to send a message to other artists.
He added: “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.”
Kneecap has long drawn controversy for their incendiary political rhetoric.
In footage from a November 2023 gig, one member is heard saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP”- a clip now reportedly under investigation by counter-terrorism police.
Kneecap has long drawn controversy for its incendiary political rhetoric
PAEarlier this year, the band also sparked outrage during a performance at Coachella, where they ended their set with on-screen messages accusing Israel of “genocide” and “war crimes,” telling the audience: “F*** Israel. Free Palestine.”
The Glastonbury booking coincides with the announcement of the group’s biggest headline show outside of Ireland
This concert will take place at London’s OVO Arena Wembley on September 18.
Pre-sale tickets will be available via the band’s WhatsApp channel, with general sale following on Friday.
Glastonbury, set to take place from June 25 to June 29, will feature The 1975 headlining the Pyramid Stage on Friday, Neil Young and his band The Chrome Hearts closing out Saturday, and Olivia Rodrigo leading the Sunday line-up.
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