Kneecap Pulled From International Festival

Kneecap have been pulled from the lineup of Glasgow’s TRNSMT Festival, after police raised concerns over safety.

The Irish rap trio confirmed the cancellation in a statement, revealing they had been dropped from the July 11 event at Glasgow Green. According to Police Scotland, allowing the group to perform would require “a significant policing operation.”

The move follows recent controversy surrounding the Belfast group. Member Mo Chara (real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh) was charged in May with a terror offence, after allegedly displaying a flag in support of the proscribed organisation Hezbollah during a London show in November 2024.

The trio have also drawn criticism for footage from a 2023 concert, which appeared to show one member saying, “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”

In response to the TRNSMT fallout, Kneecap have announced a headline show at Glasgow’s O2 Academy on July 8. Addressing fans directly, the group wrote on social media: “To the thousands of people who bought tickets, flights and hotels to see us play, we are sorry…it is out of our hands.”

They added, “Kneecap didn’t ‘pull out’ of TRNSMT – Kneecap were removed,” pointing to a history of performing in Glasgow “many many times, with no issues – ever.”

Festival promoters DF Concerts confirmed the decision. “Due to concerns expressed by the police about safety at the event, Kneecap will no longer perform at TRNSMT on Friday, 11th July,” a statement reads. “We thank fans for their understanding.”

Mo Chara is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 18 regarding the terror charge. Kneecap have denied the allegation, calling it “political policing” and “a carnival of distraction.”

In an earlier statement shared to Instagram, the group stated: “Let us be unequivocal: we do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah. We condemn all attacks on civilians, always. It is never okay. We know this more than anyone, given our nation’s history.”