Skip to content
crime-and-justice — Mps — Politics — Refunds — Entertainment — 2025 — General-news — Social-media — War — Eden — Books — Movies-and-tv — Kneecap — pop-culture

Concert at Eden Project by Kneecap Called Off Due to Dispute over Remarks about Killing Politicians

Concert cancellation ensues after the band issues an apology to families of slain MPs, alleging footage misuse; Downing Street requests a more extensive apology, and the opposition leader pushes for banishment.

,   and  ASMedia
3 min read

Concert at Eden Project by Kneecap Called Off Due to Dispute over Remarks about Killing Politicians

A performance by the Belfast-based rap trio Kneecap has been axed from the Eden Project, following a spat involving alleged calls for the killing of Tory MPs and support for extremist groups.

This controversy erupted after footage emerged of a Kneecap member shouting "kill your local MP," while another member reportedly shouted "up Hamas, up Hezbollah" during a gig.

Eden Sessions, the organizer of the gigs at the Cornwall venue, announced the cancellation. In a statement, they said that ticket holders would be fully refunded with the process commencing from April 30, 2025.

On Monday, the band issued an apology to the families of murdered MPs Sir David Amess and Jo Cox after the controversial footage surfaced. However, Katie Amess, daughter of Sir David, dismissed the apology, considering it a deflection and full of excuses.

In a statement posted on Instagram, Kneecap declared they "reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual." They emphasized their message as one of love, inclusion, and hope, drawing hundreds of thousands of people to their gigs across generations and cultures.

The band accused their critics of exploiting and weaponizing the footage. Yet, their words and apology failed to impress Katie Amess and UK authorities. The prime minister's spokesperson called the band's statement "half-hearted," while conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for Kneecap to be banned from performing at Glastonbury Festival.

The Metropolitan Police is currently assessing footage from a Kneecap gig in November 2023 that showed a member chanting "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP," and a video clip from a different concert in November 2024, where a member appeared to shout "up Hamas, up Hezbollah."

Despite denying support for Hamas and Hezbollah, Kneecap's performances and statements have drawn scrutiny and sparked debates over free speech, censorship, and politically-charged music.

Kneecap, a group that unites traditional Irish themes with modern rap, has faced controversies stemming from their political views and outspoken stance on multiple socio-political issues. The trio, composed of Liam Og O Hannaidh, Naoise O Caireallain, and JJ O Dochartaigh, have been in the limelight for their strong stances on issues such as British imperialism and the Palestinian cause.

Criticism intensified over time, especially when anti-British chants like "Brits Out" during Belfast performances and pro-Palestinian messages like "Free Palestine" were incorporated into their concerts. Additionally, the band's vocal support for the Palestinian cause led to allegations of support for Hamas and Hezbollah, proscribed terrorist organizations in the UK.

During their performance at Coachella 2025, Kneecap's anti-Margaret Thatcher chants and pro-Palestinian messages were allegedly censored from the livestream, leading to claims of censorship. Their shows have remained politically charged, both visually and verbally.

Controversies escalated with a video referral to counter-terror police for review, raising concerns about potential violations of UK terrorism laws. The band has also faced legal disputes, winning a discrimination lawsuit against the UK government in 2024 over the revocation of a music industry grant due to their political content.

These controversies highlight the complexities surrounding Kneecap's performances, which frequently blur the lines between art and politics, leading to both acclaim and criticism.

  1. The Eden Project axed a performance by Belfast-based rap trio Kneecap, following a spat involving alleged calls for the killing of Tory MPs and support for extremist groups.
  2. In 2025, ticket holders for the Eden Sessions will receive refunds after the cancellation of Kneecap's gig.
  3. On social media, Kneecap issued an apology to the families of murdered MPs Sir David Amess and Jo Cox, but it was dismissed as deflection and full of excuses by Katie Amess.
  4. Kneecap, known for blending traditional Irish themes with modern rap, has faced controversies over their political views and statements, particularly their strong stance on British imperialism and the Palestinian cause.
  5. The Metropolitan Police is currently assessing footage from Kneecap gigs, including chants advocating for the killing of Tory MPs and support for Hamas and Hezbollah.
  6. Kneecap's performances and statements have sparked debates over free speech, censorship, and politically-charged music, leading to calls for their ban from future events like the Glastonbury Festival.
  7. Criticism of Kneecap's performances also extends to allegations of censorship, such as during their performance at Coachella 2025, where anti-Margaret Thatcher chants and pro-Palestinian messages were allegedly censored from the livestream.
Concert cancellation ensues after band's apology to slain MPs' families, yet they claim footage was misused, prompting Downing Street to seek a more extensive apology and opposition leader to push for their ban.
Concert cancellation ensues after band issues an apology to slain MPs' families, but also claims footage was manipulated. Downing Street seeks a more extensive apology, while opposition leader advocates for band ban.
Band's concert call-off after apology for exploiting MPs' murders; Downing Street demands a more comprehensive apology, while opposition leader urges ban.

Read also:

Related

Latest