Irish hip-hop group Kneecap faces mounting backlash and police scrutiny following incendiary remarks and visual support linked to Hamas and Hezbollah, sparking debate over artistic freedom and public safety ahead of their Glastonbury Festival appearance.
An Irish hip-hop group known as Kneecap has become the centre of controversy following public backlash over their on-stage comments and visual expressions perceived as endorsements of terrorist organisations Hamas and Hezbollah. The band, comprising members operating under the pseudonyms Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin), Mo Chara (Liam Óg Ó hAnnaid), and DJ Próvaí (J.J. Ó Dochartaigh), has attracted police scrutiny and widespread criticism in the UK and Ireland.
The dispute escalated after video footage emerged from a November 2024 concert at the Kentish Town Forum in North London, during which band members allegedly urged fans to kill MPs, with one member reportedly saying, “the only good Tory is a dead Tory.” This statement has drawn severe condemnation from parliamentary figures and bereaved relatives of politicians Jo Cox and Sir David Amess, both murdered in attacks in recent years. Sir David Amess’s daughter spoke out against the band’s scheduled Glastonbury Festival appearance in June, expressing concern about the potentially dangerous impact of the band’s words on a vast audience.
The political reaction has been strong, with Labour MP David Taylor writing to Michael Eavis, the festival organiser, urging Kneecap’s removal from the line-up. Tory shadow minister Mark Francois described it as “unconscionable” for the band to perform at Glastonbury, while Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s office labelled their lyrics “completely unacceptable” and condemned any calls for violence against MPs. Additionally, counter-terrorism police are actively assessing footage from this and other performances alleging support for the banned groups Hamas and Hezbollah, including the display of a Hezbollah flag and chants supporting these organisations.
The band came under further fire following their set at the Coachella festival in the United States, where slogans such as “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people,” “F*** Israel. Free Palestine,” and claims about US government complicity were projected. This prompted Sharon Osbourne to publicly call for the revocation of the group’s US work visas, citing their support for Palestine amidst ongoing conflict. Subsequently, their existing US booking agent and sponsor withdrew support, and Kneecap are now in the process of securing new sponsorship for their upcoming American tour.
Kneecap’s public profile has been raised not only by the controversy but also by their self-titled comedy film released in August 2024, which has garnered critical acclaim and several awards, including from the Sundance Festival and the BAFTAs. At the Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) Awards in Dublin this February, the band, accompanied by their partners—professional singer Niamh Hinchy (Móglaí Bap’s partner), Sinead Nic Colaim (Mo Chara’s partner), and Aine O’Hanlon (DJ Próvaí’s partner)—received multiple accolades and mingled with notable industry figures.
While their partners have largely maintained a lower media profile, Niamh Hinchy, also known as Nino, has shared images and performances publicly through social media. She is an accomplished vocalist linked with the band Biird and the duo Absolute Lilt, and her musical expertise has been praised in various circles. DJ Próvaí’s partner, Sinead Nic Colaim, works as an events manager at the West Belfast arts and culture centre Cultúrlann Mc Adam Ó Fiaich. She manages educational and cultural programmes with an emphasis on Irish language and the arts.
The band has responded to accusations in a statement posted on Instagram, rejecting any suggestion that their material promotes violence or extremist views. They stated their message is one “of love, inclusion, and hope” and acknowledged never supporting Hamas or Hezbollah, apologising to the families of the murdered MPs for any unintended hurt caused.
Amid the ongoing controversy, Kneecap were removed from the Eden Sessions concert series at Cornwall’s Eden Project scheduled for July 2025, with organisers issuing refunds for ticket holders. The Metropolitan Police have stated they are continuing to assess relevant footage to decide if further investigations are necessary.
Kneecap remains scheduled to perform at Glastonbury Festival, though the matter continues to provoke debate within political and public spheres. The group has garnered both a devoted fan base and prominent critics, highlighting the complexities around artistic expression, political commentary, and public safety concerns in contemporary cultural spaces.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/irish-rappers-kneecap-apologise-families-murdered-uk-lawmakers-2025-04-29/ – This article reports on Kneecap’s apology to the families of murdered UK lawmakers Jo Cox and David Amess following controversial footage from their 2023 performance, where a member appeared to say, ‘Kill your local MP’ and ‘The only good Tory is a dead Tory.’
- https://www.ft.com/content/c54616b6-30c0-4fa9-b02c-fb312c465e0e – This piece details Kneecap’s legal victory against the UK government after their funding was denied for allegedly ‘opposing the UK.’ The High Court in Belfast deemed the denial ‘illegal’ and ‘unfair,’ awarding the band £14,250.
- https://www.breitbart.com/entertainment/2025/04/20/watch-rap-group-kneecap-displays-fk-israel-free-palestine-messages-at-coachella/ – This article discusses Kneecap’s performance at Coachella, where they displayed slogans such as ‘F**k Israel, Free Palestine’ and ‘Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people,’ leading to criticism and calls for the revocation of their US work visas.
- https://www.kulr8.com/news/national/irish-rappers-kneecap-deny-support-for-hamas-hezbollah/article_dc941102-ec34-5a85-8942-802ef587f1d2.html – This report covers Kneecap’s denial of supporting Hamas and Hezbollah, following UK police examination of footage from a concert where a band member appeared to shout ‘up Hamas, up Hezbollah.’
- https://www.newarab.com/news/kneecap-join-gaza-boycott-of-sxsw-festival-over-us-army-role – This article details Kneecap’s withdrawal from the 2024 South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas, in solidarity with Palestine, citing the festival’s association with the US army and defense contractors.
- https://www.ft.com/content/156e9143-caa7-4f6d-82b2-565b1004d15e – This feature explores how Kneecap, a Northern Irish rap trio, has gained prominence with bilingual tracks in Irish and English, nationalistic themes, and provocative antics, reflecting on their rise in the music scene.
- https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14663353/Girlfriends-rap-group-Kneecap-calls-axed-Glastonbury.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 – Please view link – unable to able to access data
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative includes recent events, such as the November 2024 concert and the band’s upcoming performances. The mention of a comedy film released in August 2024 also indicates the information is relatively fresh.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
Direct quotes from specific figures like Sir David Amess’s daughter and politicians are reported but not verified against original sources. The statements attributed to the band, such as ‘the only good Tory is a dead Tory,’ lack a clear primary source.
Source reliability
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Mail, a well-known publication with a wide reach, though its reliability can vary depending on the topic and context. The inclusion of specific political reactions and public figures lends credibility.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims are plausible given the context of rising tensions and controversies surrounding political expressions and performances. The involvement of counter-terrorism police and public figures supports this conclusion.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The information in the narrative appears relatively fresh and supported by recent events. However, without original sources for direct quotes, the assessment remains cautious. The credibility of the narrative benefits from involvement by well-known figures and institutions.
