Irish rap group promises “even bigger tour” later
Irish rap group Kneecap have announced that they are canceling all of their upcoming U.S tour dates due to the proximity of group member Mo Chara’s Sept. 26 court hearing in London. Chara, born Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh faces terror charges, for allegedly brandishing a flag of the Lebanese political organization Hezbollah during a London concert, which is illegal under the U.K.’s Terrorism Act. Both Ó hAnnaidh and Kneecap have repeatedly denied the allegations, stating previously that they “do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah.”
While announcing the cancellation of their U.S. tour, which was slated to begin in New York on Oct. 1, the group noted, “With every show fully sold out this is news we are sad to deliver. But once we win our court case, which we will, we promise to embark on an even bigger tour to all you great heads. Canadian shows are NOT affected and we will be playing our 4 sold out shows in Vancouver and Toronto.” Refunds for U.S. ticket holders will be available at the point of purchase.
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Kneecap have garnered both support and criticism following months of controversy stemming from their sets at Coachella in April. During both weekends of the California festival, they defended Palestine and blasted Israel as the government’s war in Gaza has killed more than 60,000 people and caused “unprecedented” starvation according to its Health Ministry. The count follows the Hamas attacks against Israel in Oct. 7, 2023.
At their Glastonbury Festival performance in June, the group doubled down on their long-time support for Palestine in the region and their condemnation of what they’ve controversially called “genocide” by Israel in the region. They also led a vulgar chant against British prime minister Keir Starmer. A British police force launched an investigation into Kneecap stemming from the performance, but backed down in July due to “insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence.”
