Calls to Drop Kneecap

Glastonbury Festival, renowned for promoting peace and inclusivity, is facing mounting pressure after booking the Irish hip hop trio Kneecap, whose recent controversies have sparked political outrage.

Labour MP David Taylor has written directly to festival founder Sir Michael Eavis, calling for Kneecap to be removed from the lineup. The demand follows the circulation of a video from a 2023 concert, appearing to show a band member declaring: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP." Taylor described the footage as "deeply troubling" and warned that offering a platform to such views would tarnish the festival’s longstanding reputation. In his letter, he stated: "By hosting such a group, Glastonbury Festival risks undermining its proud tradition of promoting peace, unity and social responsibility."

The controversy has deepened further with Scotland Yard now investigating not only the 2023 performance but also another concert from late 2024, where a Kneecap member allegedly voiced support for Hamas and Hezbollah organisations banned in the UK as terrorist groups.

Kneecap are slated to perform on the Saturday of this year’s Glastonbury, scheduled for late June. However, criticism from across the political spectrum has thrown their appearance into question.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s official spokesman also weighed in on the situation on Monday, describing the band member's remarks as “completely unacceptable” and emphasizing that the Prime Minister “condemns them in the strongest possible terms.”

As the debate intensifies, festival organisers have yet to comment publicly on whether Kneecap will remain on the bill or if mounting political pressure will force a last-minute change.