Kneecap Lead Anti-Starmer Chants at Controversial Glastonbury Set

Kneecap, the Northern Irish rap trio, performed a highly charged and politically provocative set at Glastonbury Festival 2025 despite significant controversy and calls for their removal by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The performance featured chants against Starmer, displays of Palestinian flags, and criticism of the UK government’s support for Israel, with Mo Chara, who is currently facing terror charges related to alleged Hezbollah support, declaring himself a "free man" after being granted unconditional bail. The band condemned the terror charges as a "carnival of distraction" and denied any support for Hamas or Hezbollah, emphasizing their advocacy for Palestine. The BBC chose not to livestream their set but made it available on demand, citing editorial guidelines. Kneecap publicly thanked Glastonbury organizers for standing by them amidst political pressure, while their set attracted a massive, fervent crowd, leading to the West Holts stage reaching capacity well before their performance. The group's actions and statements have sparked ongoing debate about free speech, political expression, and security concerns at major cultural events.