Town cancels financial support for pop festival due to scheduled performance by Kneecap
In a surprising turn of events, the Rock En Seine festival, scheduled to take place in the Paris suburb of Saint Cloud from August 24-27, has announced the cancellation of Kneecap's performance. This decision comes following the withdrawal of the subsidy by the town of Saint Cloud, which had initially agreed to provide a 40,000 euro subsidy for the event.
The controversy surrounding Kneecap, an Irish rap group known for their provocative political activism and lyrics, has led to cancellations at various festivals this year. The group has been vocal about their support for the Palestinian cause, but allegations of their involvement in terrorism have cast a shadow over their performances.
The lead singer of Kneecap, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, is currently under investigation by British police for a terror offense. He is accused of waving a Hezbollah flag at a concert in London in November 2024, an act that is banned in Britain. Despite the charges, Ó hAnnaidh has condemned the accusations as political and maintains that he picked up the flag without knowing what it represented.
The town of Saint Cloud, which finances cultural and artistic projects but does not support political action, demands, or calls to violence, has respected the Rock En Seine festival's freedom to decide its lineup. However, the controversy surrounding Kneecap has led to public pressure, resulting in the withdrawal of the subsidy.
It's important to note that Kneecap has repeatedly stated that they do not support Hezbollah or Hamas nor condone violence. The group has been removed from the bill for festivals in Scotland and Germany this year due to the controversy.
Meanwhile, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh is scheduled to appear in court four days before the Rock En Seine show. The exact nature of the charges against him is unclear at this time.
The Rock En Seine festival, which attracted 180,000 people over four days last year, is a significant event in the European music scene. The cancellation of Kneecap's performance is likely to be a topic of discussion among fans and music enthusiasts in the coming days.
As the legal proceedings against Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh continue, the future of Kneecap remains uncertain. The group has expressed a commitment to their political beliefs and continues to advocate for their cause, but the ongoing controversy threatens to overshadow their music and performances.
References: [1] The Guardian, "Kneecap: the controversial Irish rap group at the centre of a terrorism storm", 2025. [2] BBC News, "Kneecap rap group: Singer Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh charged with terror offence", 2025. [3] The Independent, "Kneecap rapper Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh charged with terror offence over Hezbollah flag display", 2025.
The ongoing controversy surrounding Kneecap's political activism and allegations of their connection to terrorism has led to the withdrawal of the Rock En Seine festival's subsidy, causing the cancellation of their performance. Despite denials of support for Hezbollah or Hamas and condoning violence, the group's provocative general-news topics, such as their stance on the Palestinian cause, have sparked crime-and-justice concerns.
