A Jewish group has contacted Manchester City Council to express its ‘deep reservations’ and call for the band’s appearance to be cut

14:55, 13 Aug 2025Updated 15:09, 13 Aug 2025

Kneecap at Glastonbury(Image: Rowan Griffiths / Daily Mirror)

Pressure is mounting on Manchester City Council over a planned performance by controversial Belfast rap trio Kneecap at Wythenshawe Park.

The Irish band are due to support Fontaines DC on Friday night in a line-up which also features Mercury Prize-winners English Teacher.

But it’s now emerged a Jewish group has contacted the council to formally request the cancellation of the band’s set.

The Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester and Region said in a statement it had ‘deep reservations’ over the performance, adding: “By hosting a band who has repeatedly sought to engage in provocative and dangerous behaviour, the council can be under no illusion about what it is enabling.”

The council, however, said it was told by the town hall that the concert ‘will be proceeding as planned’. Manchester City Council has reportedly given ‘assurances’ that ‘the organisers and artists have acknowledged their responsibilities to stay within the law’.

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Kneecap – comprised of Liam Og O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh – were formed in Belfast and released their first single in 2017. They hit headlines in April when footage emerged that appeared to show a band member saying ‘Kill your local MP’ at one gig and ‘Up Hamas, up Hezbollah’ at another.

Mo Chara performs on stage in Norway(Image: Redferns)

In May, O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terrorism offence relating to allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a London gig in November 2024. He’s due to appear in court in London next week.

Kneecap, meanwhile, went on to apologise to the families of murdered MPs and said they have ‘never supported’ Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK. The band was also investigated over their set at Glastonbury in June, but Avon and Somerset Police said they would be taking no further action.

Known for their provocative lyrics and championing of the Irish language, Kneecap were recently banned from entering Hungary to appear at a music festival. Gigs at the TRNSMT festival in Glasgow and at the Eden Project in Cornwall in July were also cancelled.

Liam Og O Hannaidh (Mo Chara) wearing a keffiyeh, Naoise O Caireallain (Moglai Bap), and JJ O’Dochartaigh (DJ Provai)(Image: PA)

In the statement, the Jewish Representative Council of Greater Manchester & Region said: “We have ensured all relevant parties are aware of our deep reservations around Kneecap being allowed to play in Wythenshawe on Friday night and had formally requested that their set was cancelled.

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“A band member is currently facing terrorism charges and they have been rightly criticised for their rhetoric including a despicable call to murder MPs. Despite our protestations, we have been informed by Manchester City Council that the concert will be proceeding as planned.

“Whilst we welcome the Council’s assurances that the organisers and artists have acknowledged their responsibilities to stay within the law, our community must remain vigilant given we are facing record levels of hate crime.

“By hosting a band who has repeatedly sought to engage in provocative and dangerous behaviour, the council can be under no illusion about what it is enabling. Whilst we appreciate the need for freedom of artistic expression to be protected, we expect any incitement and hatred directed towards Jewish people to be dealt with immediately.”

‘Manchester is a proudly diverse city’

A Manchester council spokesperson said: “Partners from the council, emergency services including Greater Manchester Police, and event organisers, have comprehensively reviewed all the plans in place for the Fontaines D.C. concert. This is a standard process for all major events held in the city and is to ensure events can proceed safely.

“As always, a thorough risk assessment of every aspect of the event was undertaken. This included consideration of concerns raised and intelligence from relevant authorities and focused on ensuring the safety and security of the event, its attendees, and the wider community.

“A collective decision was made that the Fontaines D.C. concert, including a live set by Kneecap, can go ahead. The event organisers have agreed suitable mitigations and assurances to make sure it can be safely delivered in full compliance with the requisite licence conditions.

“The event organisers gave clear assurances that any expressions of opinion made by performers will remain within the law. Clear parameters have also established for monitoring performances throughout the event, with any breach of the agreed guidelines subject to appropriate action.

“All partner organisations involved in this decision will continue to monitor the situation and respond to any emerging concerns.

“Manchester is a proudly diverse city, and we remain committed to making sure that all our communities feel respected and safe. Our position is clear: there is no place for antisemitism or discrimination in any form in Manchester.”