https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20x84wxpvvo

Irish-language band Kneecap had been due to perform on the opening night of the TRNSMT festival in July

Published 28 May 2025, 18:22 BST

Updated 22 minutes ago

Irish rap group Kneecap have pulled out of the TRNSMT music festival in Glasgow over police concerns about safety.

Police Scotland said last week that allowing the trio to perform at Glasgow Green on 11 July would require "a significant policing operation".

It followed a member of the Irish language group being charged with a terror offence after allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London gig.

The Belfast trio were also criticised over 2023 gig footage that appeared to show a band member saying: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP."

Kneecap at TRNSMT would need 'significant' police operation

Kneecap member charged with terror offence

The group are still due to perform at the Glastonbury festival, where they are listed on the lineup for Saturday 28 June.

Kneecap released a statement saying that, to make up for the TRNSMT cancellation, they would be putting on a new show at Glasgow's O2 Academy on Tuesday 8 July.

The band said: "Due to concerns expressed by the police about safety at the event, Kneecap can no longer perform at TRNSMT.

"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 many times, with no issues – ever. Make of that what you will."

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, 11 July.

"We thank fans for their understanding."

Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, 27, has been charged by the Metropolitan Police after an incident on 21 November 2024 at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London.

Liam Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court next month

Mr Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 18 June.

Officers from the Met's counter terrorism command were made aware on 22 April of an online video from the event.

Belfast man Mr Ó hAnnaidh has been charged under the name Liam O'Hanna.

Scotland's First Minister John Swinney had backed calls for Kneecap to be axed from the TRNSMT lineup over their "kill your local Tory" comment.

The have have since apologised to the families of murdered MPs Sir David Amess and Jo Cox.

A Police Scotland spokesperson previously said any decision on who performs at TRNSMT was for the organisers to make.

by BoogersHere1690

28 comments

  1. It’s just pathetic at this stage. Streisand effect in full flow

  2. If you run with the foxes you can’t be angry when you reap what you sow

    I would feel bad for just about any other band or music group but not there’s guys

    You’re actions have consequences

    Professional Brit bashing might help you sell a few records but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t offend people

  3. Out of interest, why is he being charged under his non-Gaelic name?

  4. Their Da’s should have pulled out of their Ma’s

  6. Sad to see they’re having to pull out, but glad they have another concert lined up! Feel bad for the people who paid to see them, hope they get their money back.

  7. I dream of a day free of any Kneecap threads.

    ![gif](giphy|3orif2FbhqlEDmHBjG)

  9. bullshit. they allow the orange order to march through glasgow every year but police are concerned about a band that have played in glasgow countless times? hope any glasgow lads that are missing out get to their o2 academy gig in glasgow they’ve just announced.

  11. They didn’t pull out. They were kicked off. And watch that festival die before it even happens.

  12. Police Scotland will have no issues ‘policing’ their pals in the orange walks though…

  13. Probably not the best idea to perform in the centre of Glasgow during orange fest! Shame though

  14. thank god! I was worried I would miss the hourly Kneecap update!

  15. According to reports in Scotland they haven’t pulled out. They have been axed from the line up. Removed over safety concerns.

  20. Orange pigs allow rangers scum to do what they want. Flying Nazi flags. But kneecap is where they draw the line.

  22. William: should we go see that kneecap?

    Stuart: they are fenians are they not?

    William: ahh fuck that

    Case closed

    What security threat 🤣🤣

  24. If this was to continue through the summer.
    How damaging to Kneecap is this going to be?

    Could police start withdrawing licenses for events, until they are removed from the bill?

  25. Absolutely insane how zionist the ruling class is – they expect us to be more disgusted in Kneecaps performance than Israel literally genocide 

  27. The Brit establishment bowing to Zionist influence (and giving an Irish group a kicking while they’re at it) – some things never change.

  28. What do they expect us to think is going to happen at these shows, that necessitates them being axed?

Comments are closed.