PILTON, England – Northern Irish rap group Kneecap took to the stage at the world-renowned Glastonbury Festival on Saturday, June 28, 2025, delivering a performance before tens of thousands of attendees despite facing significant political criticism and legal challenges against one of its members.
The Irish-language trio played a high-profile set on the West Holts field, which holds approximately 30,000 people, drawing a large crowd eager to see the controversial group. Their appearance followed public criticism, including from British politicians, and ongoing legal proceedings involving member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, also known as Mo Chara.
Legal Challenges and Political Fallout
Ó hAnnaidh is currently charged under the Terrorism Act in connection with an incident in November at a concert in London, where he is alleged to have waved a Hezbollah flag. He is presently on unconditional bail awaiting a court hearing scheduled for August.
The band’s inclusion in the Glastonbury lineup drew sharp rebukes from some political figures. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly stated that allowing the band to play was “not appropriate,” adding to the scrutiny surrounding the group.
The Glastonbury Performance
Taking the stage, Mo Chara addressed his legal situation directly, declaring to the jubilant crowd, “Glastonbury, I’m a free man!” The performance was underscored by an audio montage featuring news clips detailing the various criticisms and legal issues surrounding the band, highlighting the context of their controversial status.
The visual landscape of the crowd during the set included dozens of Palestinian flags visible, mirroring the band’s outspoken political stance. Kneecap led the audience in chants, including “Free Palestine” and “Free Mo Chara,” explicitly linking the member’s legal situation to broader political issues the band champions.
The group also directed an expletive-laden chant towards Prime Minister Keir Starmer, directly referencing his prior comments about their appropriateness for the festival.
Acknowledgements and Context
During their performance, Kneecap took time to thank festival organizers Michael and Emily Eavis for providing them the platform to perform. They also acknowledged Palestine Action, a protest group currently facing the possibility of being banned under UK terrorism laws, further underscoring the political nature of their performance and affiliations.
Kneecap is known for their distinctive style, characterized by anarchic energy, satirical lyrics, and the prominent use of Irish republican symbolism. They have frequently stated that they believe the criticism and legal actions against them are attempts to silence their voice, particularly due to their fervent support for the Palestinian cause.
This stance was highlighted during their performance at the Coachella festival in April, where they accused Israel of genocide, stating it was enabled by the U.S. government. Their Glastonbury set continued to weave together their musical identity with their potent political activism, solidifying their reputation as a band unafraid to challenge authority and mainstream narratives on a global stage.
