Kneecap have had their appearance at TRNSMT axed, citing “safety concerns” as the reason. Police Scotland have now released a statement clarifying the line-up adjustment.
The Irish Rap trio took to social media yesterday (May 28) to share the news, saying: “Due to concerns expressed by the Police about safety at the event, Kneecap can no longer perform at TRNSMT.
“To the thousands of people who bought tickets, flights and hotels to see us play, we are sorry… it is out of our hands.”
A spokesperson for the festival has confirmed that safety concerns were raised by the Police, leading to their removal from the line-up, telling NME: “Due to concerns expressed by the Police about safety at the event, Kneecap will no longer perform at TRNSMT on Friday July 11. We thank fans for their understanding.”
After being asked for a response, Police Scotland have now issued a statement, detailing the reasoning behind Kneecap’s removal by claiming that the main issue is the potential size of the audience.
They told NME: “Any decision on the line-up at TRNSMT is for the organisers and there was no prior consultation with Police Scotland before acts were booked.
“Officers have highlighted the potential reaction of such a large audience to this band would require a significant policing operation in order to support the delivery of a safe event.
“We have also passed on information from the public around safety concerns to allow organisers to make an informed decision on the running of the festival.”
This isn’t the first appearance that the politically-charged rap trio have been pulled from – with Cornwall’s Eden Sessions and Germany’s Hurricane Festival among those to distance themselves from Kneecap.
The recent controversy has been thoroughly covered on mxdwn, from the band calling for a ‘Free Palestine’ at Coachella, to the subsequent pile-on from politicians and media alike.
@yasg106_ BREAKING: Coachella audience erupts in #FREEPALESTINE chant during KNEECAP performance! @kneecap32 shows what it means to be Artists Against Apartheid – using your art, your platform, and voice at stages like #Coachella to be in firm solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for liberation, to fight against the U.S.-backed Israeli genocide, and to stand with the students abducted and detained by ICE, like Mahmoud Khalil, Rumeysa Oztürk, Badar Khan Suri, and Mohsen Mahdawi who are being persecuted for standing on the right side of history. #cochella #performance #audience #stand #artists #artistsagainstapartheid #chant #concerts ♬ Inspirational – neozilla
It all really picked up steam recently when member Mo Chara was charged by the Metropolitan Police with a terror offence. He allegedly displayed a flag in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation, at a gig last year. The band have since denied any support of Hezbollah or Hamas.
Chara is due to appear at Westminster Crown Court on June 18, for which he has encouraged fans to gather at Westminster with “a big bag of ket”.
TRNSMT is the first major British festival to remove Kneecap from their line-up, with the band still due to perform at Glastonbury this summer.
The rap trio recently headlined London’s Wide Awake festival to rave reviews. They told fans whilst on stage: “They tried to stop this gig. Honestly, lads, you have no idea how close we were to being pulled off this gig.”
They will be hoping to join Fontaines DC at a massive gig in Belfast this August, which sold out in 35 minutes. However, concerns over the venue has put the event in doubt, check out mxdwn coverage regarding that here.
