Irish rap trio Kneecap performed at Glastonbury’s West Holts field, drawing a crowd of about 30,000 who chanted “Free Palestine” and waved Palestinian flags.
The Irish-language group faced opposition from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who called their appearance “inappropriate.”
Undeterred, Kneecap, with member Liam O’Hanna (Mo Chara) donning a Palestinian keffiyeh, delivered a charged set.
They thanked festival organizers Michael and Emily Eavis for resisting calls to cancel their performance, following earlier concert cancellations after their Coachella set in April, where they accused Israel of genocide in Gaza.
During their set, Kneecap gave a public nod to the Palestine Action Group, recently labeled a banned organization under the UK’s Terrorism Act of 2000 by Interior Minister Yvette Cooper.
O’Hanna, facing charges under the same act for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a London concert last year, declared, “Glastonbury, I’m a free man!”
He claimed the flag was thrown onstage, and he was unaware of its significance.
Currently on unconditional bail awaiting an August court hearing, O’Hanna drew parallels between the band’s challenges and the Palestinian struggle, emphasizing solidarity.
The BBC, which covers numerous Glastonbury performances, did not broadcast Kneecap’s set live, planning to release it online later.
Similarly, British rap duo Bob Vylan’s performance, featuring chants of “Free, free Palestine” and “Death, death to the IDF,” was excluded from re-airing, with the BBC calling the remarks “deeply offensive.”
UK Culture Minister Lisa Nandy demanded an explanation from BBC director general Tim Davie about the live broadcast of these chants.
Avon and Somerset Police stated they would review footage from both sets to evaluate potential criminal offenses.
Kneecap’s performance, part of Glastonbury’s eclectic lineup with artists like Neil Young and Charli XCX, highlighted the festival’s role as a stage for political expression.