The Irish punk rock trio Kneecap is set to make a significant impact at the Worthy Farm festival when they perform on the West Holts stage this Saturday, anticipating a large turnout.
However, recent criticism from various UK politicians has raised questions about whether the BBC will include their performance in its live coverage over the weekend.
“The BBC should not be airing Kneecap propaganda,” stated Conservative MP Kemi Badenoch, while Labour leader Keir Starmer added in an interview with The Sun, “I don’t think that’s appropriate.”
In response to Starmer’s comments, Kneecap took to social media, saying, “You know what’s ‘not appropriate,’ Keir?! Arming a fing genocide… F The Sun and solidarity with Palestine Action.”
Traditionally, the BBC live streams performances from several festival stages during the sunny weekend, but not every act gets airtime. This begs the question: will the BBC showcase Kneecap’s performance, or will they yield to political pressure?
Kneecap is often viewed as a provocative band, particularly due to their outspoken criticism of Israel’s military actions in Gaza, which have resulted in significant civilian casualties. One of the band members, 27-year-old Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, was also recently charged with a terrorist offense for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a London concert, a claim the band denies, arguing that such charges are part of a broader attempt to silence their pro-Palestinian message.
Their performances have provoked mixed reactions, but they also boast a devoted fanbase who share in their opposition to the violence in Gaza. “Kneecap’s performance carries a deeper meaning beyond their fantastic music,” said a fan attending Glastonbury. “They symbolize solidarity and stand against the establishment, representing the voice of the youth seeking peace and liberation.”
Supporting Kneecap’s stance, over 100 artists—including Massive Attack and Annie Mac—have signed an open letter expressing concerns over the political repression of artistic expression.
Ahead of their performance, Kneecap has continued to highlight the ongoing suffering in Palestine, declaring, “According to Israeli occupation forces, they have murdered over 377,000 people in Gaza… That’s more than 100 times the death toll in Northern Ireland over 30 years.”
When is Kneecap Playing at Glastonbury 2025?
Kneecap will perform on the West Holts stage at 4 PM on June 28, 2025.
Will the BBC Air Kneecap?
While the BBC typically broadcasts performances from the festival’s main stages, it’s uncertain if Kneecap will be included this year. The BBC has yet to list Kneecap in its Saturday schedule but has assured that it does not impose bans on artists.
A representative for the BBC stated: “As the broadcast partner, we will provide extensive music coverage from Glastonbury, featuring artists booked by festival organizers. While we don’t ban artists, our programming will adhere to our editorial guidelines, and decisions regarding our output will be made leading up to the festival.”
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