Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap have announced an April 24 release date for their new LP Fenian, which will be their first album since a series of polarizing political statements threatened to derail their career.
“They tried to stop us by branding Kneecap ‘terrorists’, with cancellations, with statements from the Prime Minister himself,” the group says in a statement. “We had all the motivation we needed…this isn’t a swift reaction, but a considered response to those that tried to silence us. And failed.”
The group caused a firestorm in England when a video emerged of a member appearing to say, “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP” at a concert. It sparked an investigation by the Metropolitan Police that was ultimately dropped because the statute of limitations had passed. “Relevant indictable offenses were considered by the investigation team,” the MP said in a statement, “and, based on all of the current evidence available, a decision has been made that no further action will be taken at this time.
When Kneecap played Coachella in April 2025, they displayed the messages “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people” and “Fuck Israel / Free Palestine.” At other shows, the group waved the Hezbollah flag and chanted “up Hamas, up Hezbollah.” Footage of the incidents was assessed by counter-terrorism police, and the group was condemned by a spokesperson for British Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
“We do not think individuals expressing those views should be receiving government funding,” said the spokesperson, referencing a decision to give them a £14,250 government funding award. “The PM rejects the views expressed … does not shy away from condemning them.”
In the aftermath of all this, Kneecap parted ways with their booking agency Independent Artist Group. And Sharon Osborne called for their visas to be revoked. “Music’s primary purpose is to unite people,” she said. “It should not be a venue for promoting terrorist organizations or spreading hate. This band openly support terrorist organizations. This behavior raises concerns about the appropriateness of their participation in such a festival and further shows they are booked to play in the USA.”
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Throughout it all, Kneecap continued to play shows and release singles. Fenian will be their third album, following 2018’s 3CAG and 2024’s Fine Art. “Inspired by, and proudly named ‘Fenian’, who were warriors in Irish folklore, and later a derogatory term for the Irish,” they wrote in a statement announcing the album. “Now we’re using it to name everyone speaking truth to power. After 800 years of colonisation, they thought the Irish language would die, it didn’t. Thanks to Muintir na Gaeltachta, and all the Gaels who refused to let their culture and language be destroyed. And KNEECAP is much the same…we haven’t gone away. The Paddies are back.”
Their new song “Liar’s Tale” is debuting on Wednesday night. And they’re playing a series of European festivals this summer.
