Irish rap group Kneecap to play Paris concert in defiance of objections • FRANCE 24 English

A rowdy, subversive force of nature, kneecap has never shied away from controversy. The hip-hop trio has been credited with inspiring an Irish language revolution, but their rising profile has resulted in increased scrutiny about their political statements. Among them, freeing Palestinians from Israeli occupation. This Sunday they will play in front of an expected 40,000 spectators on the final day of rock on sen. Obviously I think music is a way to express your opinion but um the way the extent of which they’ve taken it is a bit too far. They’re brave for doing it and honestly so brave like so strong. So I wish more artists could do that. Maybe we should consider artists also have their own freedom. Art is political. Ncap’s performance will come just days after one of its members appeared at a London court on a terrorism charge. Mahara drew crowds of supporters at Westminster court charged with displaying a Hezbollah flag during a concert in November. The Iranbacked Lebanese group is classified as a terrorist organization under British law. His defense team has argued the case should be thrown out. Obviously, it’s great to see the support out here. We know this story is more than just about me. It’s more than kneecap. This is a story with Palestine and us as a distraction from the real story. The court adjourned the case until September 26. Before that, Ncap has a string of shows across Europe. The town hosting Rock on Sand has withdrawn a subsidy over the rapper’s appearance, saying it does not fund actions or political demands and even less so incitement to violence. But the festival has defended its choice to keep the band in the lineup. This is a decision we made after studying the situation. We’ve been assured that the group would perform under conditions that we felt were appropriate. For example, with a strong message, but nevertheless in accordance with our values and the law. France’s interior ministry has warned Ncap could face legal action in the event of any disturbances during Sunday’s performance.

Irish rap group Kneecap, who have sparked controversy in the UK over their vocal support for the Palestinian cause and criticism of Israel’s bloody Gaza campaign, are set to perform at the annual Rock en Seine music festival outside Paris Sunday. Local authorities have withdrawn their subsidies for the festival in protest.
#RockenSeine #Paris #Kneecap

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18 comments

  5. You do know they are a parody act? Irish language rappers?
    There was a Welsh act called Goldy Looking Chain, its the same thing.

  12. People are just hypocrites when saying Kneecap waving a flag but not condemned a regime it killed children and caused famine

  13. Never was.

    Never will be.

    Palestine will be written down in history next to narnia. Never NeverLand because it never was.

  18. 'There has been increased scrutiny about Kneecap's political statements, among them freeing Palestinians from israeli occupation.' – I've come to the conclusion that the media have no idea how ridiculous they sound.

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