{"id":79701,"date":"2025-05-06T17:24:13","date_gmt":"2025-05-06T17:24:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/79701\/"},"modified":"2025-05-06T17:24:13","modified_gmt":"2025-05-06T17:24:13","slug":"paloma-faith-kae-tempest-amyl-the-sniffers-and-more-lead-huge-list-of-additions-to-letter-supporting-kneecap-and-freedom-of-expression","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/79701\/","title":{"rendered":"Paloma Faith, Kae Tempest, Amyl & The Sniffers and more lead huge list of additions to letter supporting Kneecap and “freedom of expression”"},"content":{"rendered":"

Paloma Faith<\/a>, Kae Tempest<\/a>, Amyl & The Sniffers<\/a> and many more are amongst the 100 new names that have signed a letter supporting the right to artists\u2019 freedom of expression, following commotion around Kneecap<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Belfast rap trio recently courted controversy after they supposedly\u00a0\u201cblindsided\u201d Coachella organisers<\/a>\u00a0with\u00a0overtly political statements in support of Palestine. <\/a>UK counter-terror police also announced they were \u201cassessing\u201d two videos from the band\u2019s gigs. <\/a>One video shows one of the band members allegedly shouting \u201cUp Hamas, up Hezbollah\u201d,<\/a> whilst the group allegedly called for the death of Conservative MPs<\/a> in another.<\/p>\n

Politicians have been calling for Kneecap to be removed from festival line-ups this summer<\/a>, and\u00a0shows in Hamburg, Cologne and Berlin for this summer have been cancelled<\/a>, as well as a date in Plymouth in July. Previously announced shows at\u00a0Hurricane and Southside Festivals<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0an Eden Project gig<\/a> have also been cancelled in the last fortnight, and their biopic was pulled from American Airlines.<\/a><\/p>\n

Now, 100 new names have been added to a letter first published on May 2, with Tom Morello, Brian Eno, CMAT leading names <\/a>expressing their support for artists\u2019 freedom of expression.<\/p>\n

Paloma Faith, Kae Tempest, and Amyl & The Sniffers are among to latest to have pledged their support. Squid<\/a>, Nation of Language<\/a>, Robert Wyatt<\/a>, The Magic Numbers<\/a>, The Orielles<\/a>, Loose Articles<\/a>, Adwaith<\/a>\u00a0and many more can also be spotted in the updated signatory list below:<\/p>\n

\"\"Artist Letter for Kneecap, May 1. Credit: Press<\/p>\n

Since the announcement of their gig footage being assessed by police, Kneecap have\u00a0denied supporting either Hamas or Hezbollah and have denied promoting violence against MPs<\/a>. \u201cLet us be unequivocal: we do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah. We condemn all attacks on civilians, always. It is never OK. We know this more than anyone, given our nation\u2019s history,\u201d read a recent statement.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe also reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual. Ever. An extract of footage, deliberately taken out of all context, is now being exploited and weaponised, as if it were a call to action.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to the artist statement, Kneecap\u2019s label Heavenly Recordings have shared their own letter<\/a> supporting the rap group. Pulp<\/a>,\u00a0Fontaines D.C.<\/a>,\u00a0IDLES<\/a>,\u00a0Massive Attack<\/a>,\u00a0Paul Weller<\/a>,\u00a0Primal Scream<\/a>,\u00a0Enter Shikari<\/a>,\u00a0English Teacher<\/a>,\u00a0The Pogues<\/a>,\u00a0Lankum<\/a>,\u00a0Toddla T<\/a>,\u00a0Sleaford Mods<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Thin Lizzy<\/a> are just some of the names who have co-signed the letter, with Massive Attack saying in their own statement: <\/a>\u201cKneecap are not the story. Gaza is the story. Genocide is the story\u201d.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, singer-songwriter Billy Bragg weighed in on the debacle<\/a>, saying that \u201cthe band have apologised for the hurt they caused to the families of murdered MPs and distanced themselves from Hamas and Hezbollah. Having taken that step, I believe they deserve to be reinstated on those bills that have removed them, and also confirmed as playing at those festivals where they are already scheduled to perform.\u201d<\/p>\n

However, Bragg added that the artist statement and its wording \u201clacks any sense of nuance or understanding of why this whole furore kicked off. And in trying to avoid the complexities of this issue by claiming that the politics of an artist\u2019s views are irrelevant, the signatories are arguing that the only principle at stake here is free speech.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n<\/blockquote>\n

\u201cWe must be careful not to allow the considered and cogent arguments we seek to make \u2013 Free Palestine, end the genocide \u2013 to be undermined by flippant statements that we later have to apologise for,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Sharon Osbourne also hit out against the group against their appearances at Coachella<\/a>. Taking to X, Osbourne \u2013 who has Ashkenazi Jewish heritage \u2013 wrote a lengthy post claiming that the sets \u201ccompromised\u201d the festival\u2019s \u201cmoral and spiritual integrity\u201d. She also urged for the trio to have their working visas revoked due to the performances.<\/p>\n

\u201cHer rant has so many holes in it that it hardly warrants a reply, but she should listen to \u2018War Pigs\u2019 that was written by\u00a0Black Sabbath<\/a>,\u201d Chara said in response. The nod to Black Sabbath comes as her husband\u00a0Ozzy Osbourne<\/a>, is the band\u2019s frontman.<\/p>\n