Kneecap Removed From TRNSMT Festival in Glasgow Over Public Safety and Policing Concerns

Photo Credit: Matthewc95 / CC by 4.0

Irish rap group Kneecap have confirmed they were removed from appearing at the upcoming TRNSMT music festival in Glasgow.

“Due to concerns expressed by the police about safety at the event, Kneecap can no longer perform at TRNSMT,” the band says the message they received states. Speaking to their fans, Kneecap says: “To the thousands of people who bought tickets, flights, and hotels to see us play, we are sorry… it is out of our hands.”

“Glasgow has always been a huge city for us. We’ve played there many times, with no issues—ever. Make of that what you will. To try to make up for it, we will be at your O2 Academy on Tuesday July 8.”

Police in Scotland stated last week that allowing Kneecap to perform at the Glasgow Green on July 11 would require “a significant policing operation.” The move to disallow Kneecap to perform comes after one of the members was charged with a terror offense for promoting a Hezbollah flag during a London gig. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, 27, was charged by Metropolitan Police after reviewing footage of the incident at the O2 Forum in London. He performs under the name Mo Chara and is slated to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 18.

Kneecap also received criticism for a performance in 2023 when footage showed one of the members telling the audience: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP!” Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has backed calls for Kneecap to be removed from the TRNSMT festival over the Tory comment.

TRNSMT promoters DF Concerts said: “Due to concerns expressed by the police about safety at the event, Kneecap will no longer perform at TRNSMT on Friday, July 11.” So far, Kneecap is still listed on the lineup of the Glastonbury festival, which is happening on June 28. The group drew massive criticism after their Coachella set this year after using the stage to project pro-Palestinian messages and leading an anti-Margaret Thatcher chant.

Link to the source article – https://www.digitalmusicnews.com/2025/05/29/kneecap-removed-from-trnsmt-festival-in-glasgow/

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