Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap doesn't mind getting in people's faces about subjects they believe in. That isn't just in passing. It is the MO of how they do business. They want to instigate.
The shocking part is they do all that while creating some surprisingly fantastic hip-hop. Who knew three lads from Northern Ireland could succeed in the genre in the first place, but doing so to make sure the Irish language stays alive and well is nearly miraculous.
The trio has gotten into a bit of trouble lately, though. The issue stems from a video of a concert from November 2024, when the band displayed a flag in support of Hezbollah. Hezbollah and Hamas are outlawed in the UK, and any mention of the Gaza situation is sure to draw both support and criticism.
Kneecap faces further issues after being dropped from Scottish festival
Due to the flag event (or events, as the trio has displayed the flag at multiple shows), Kneecap's Mo Chara has been charged with a terror offense by the London Metropolitan police. He is set to appear in front of a magistrate on June 18. But the band's issue with using the flag does not stop there.
This week, Kneecap learned they are being removed from Scottish music festival TRNSMT. The reason is that festival organizers said that Glasgow police are concerned about the safety of all involved at the event.
According to Pitchfork, Police Scotland has said they should have no direct bearing on who plays at the festival and who doesn't, but that organizers have been told about the potential security issue.
The question, when it comes to Kneecap, is how future events might also be affected. Maybe missing out on TRNSMT is a one-off, and they don't have further concerns. But any venue could see how the festival handled the presence of the Irish hip-hop trio and choose to follow suit. Kneecap might find it more difficult to play anywhere.
Of course, if Mo Chara faces jail time, the trio might come to an end. Let's just hope that doesn't happen. Politics aside, the culture of music needs musical artists who aren't afraid to speak their minds.