Kneecap pull out of TRNSMT song competition over police issues

Irish rap team Kneecap have pulled out of the TRNSMT song competition in Glasgow over police issues about protection.

Police Scotland mentioned final week that permitting the trio to accomplish at Glasgow Green on 11 July will require “a significant policing operation”.

It adopted a member of the Irish language team being charged with an apprehension offence after allegedly showing a flag in improve of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London gig.

The Belfast trio had been additionally criticised over 2023 gig photos that looked as if it would display a band member announcing: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”

The team are nonetheless because of carry out on the Glastonbury competition, the place they’re indexed at the lineup for Saturday 28 June.

Kneecap launched a remark announcing that, to make up for the TRNSMT cancellation, they’d be striking on a brand new display at Glasgow’s O2 Academy on Tuesday 8 July.

The band mentioned: “Due to concerns expressed by the police about safety at the event, Kneecap can no longer perform at TRNSMT.

“To the hundreds of people that purchased tickets, flights and inns to look us play, we’re sorry…it’s out of our arms.

“Glasgow has always been a huge city for us. We’ve played there many many times, with no issues – ever. Make of that what you will.”

TRNSMT promoters DF Concerts mentioned: “Due to concerns expressed by the police about safety at the event, Kneecap will no longer perform at TRNSMT on Friday, 11 July.

“We thank lovers for his or her working out.”

Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, 27, has been charged by the Metropolitan Police after an incident on 21 November 2024 at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London.

Mr Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 18 June.

Officers from the Met’s counter terrorism command were made aware on 22 April of an online video from the event.

Belfast man Mr Ó hAnnaidh has been charged under the name Liam O’Hanna.

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney had backed calls for Kneecap to be axed from the TRNSMT lineup over their “kill your native Tory” remark.

The have have since apologised to the households of murdered MPs Sir David Amess and Jo Cox.

A Police Scotland spokesperson in the past mentioned any determination on who plays at TRNSMT used to be for the organisers to make.