BBC Article

Their statement was:

We've been banned from advertising on the London Tube.

But I think they're just enjoying amplifying the publicity and notoriety.

Transport for London (TfL) said it approves adverts on a "case-by-case basis" and deemed the Kneecap poster, showing their frequently used logo depicting a balaclava to promote a September concert, "would likely cause widespread or serious offence to reasonable members of the public".

BBC News understands it is the specific poster that has been rejected and not a total ban on Kneecap advertising.

Personally I think the poster sounds fine, but the idea they've been banned outright is misinformation.

by TheBlankVerseKit

17 comments

  1. These guys are proper bottom of the barrel agitating losers 

  2. I’ve never known a rap group dominate headlines for so long about the most minor humdrum shit. Forced outrage journalism at its finest.

  3. The balaclava imagery evokes IRA propaganda, he’s led those “death to the IDF” chants, all combined it’s a bit too close to the IRA for their liking I think

  4. The poster doesn’t breach any of the advertising guidelines, but has been rejected through a very broad “would be likely to cause offence”. Nothing is reasonably offensive or shocking about the poster, so it’s not a huge leap to say that the ad was rejected simply because of the subject. While you might be correct, I’d be interested to see if other ads they submit are approved.

  5. Can’t we just ship them off to Australia and be done with this?

  6. Imagine being shocked that IRA imagery would be deemed offensive on the Tube after the IRA’s bombing campaign

  7. I think balaclavas appear a lot more menacing to people who remember the IRA in the 1980s. Combined with the name Kneecap, in particular.

    I surprised myself with my visceral reaction to that poster. I’m glad I don’t have to see it on the Tube, though I wouldn’t have necessarily chosen to ban it myself.

  9. Banned a poster of a balaclava but groups of lads walking around wearing balaclavas absolutely fine

  10. I wouldn’t say it’s misinformation. You just pointed out that the poster was banned because it included their logo. Look at any band or brand, they don’t advertise without their logos, so theoretically any future poster will also be banned

  11. Guys…if they have a bally in their logo, then they can’t use their logo on posters…which would defeat the point of advertising their shows. Effectively banning them from advertising. Also what stops TFL deciding the word Kneecap is inappropriate and banning a poster without the Bally attached?

    It’s an unreasonable decision and being obtuse isn’t beneficial for anyone.

  12. Omg who cares, stop giving them the attention and they’ll soon be forgotten about.

  13. Not surprising they’re trying to amplify the publicity. No one knew who Kneecap was before this. I still don’t really.

  15. My home town was bombed out by the IRA, and the building next to my office at the other side of the country still has holes in it from an IRA bombing. So yeah, maybe don’t lean into the IRA thing so hard and you’ll be grand.

  16. ITT: people who have never listened to a single record outside the Top 40 deciding the line between subversive art and outright terrorism

  17. Anyone remember the “Join the RA” posters they had on the tube a few years ago? They replaced them with “Friends of the RA” after a while.

Comments are closed.