When does punk protest become hate speech? Irish rappers Kneecap are testing the limits

Kneecap: will ‘moral outrage’ over controversial comments halt the rappers’ rise?

In the News podcast: Since Coachella, the Belfast rappers have been in the spotlight; they say it’s a smear campaign

When does punk protest become hate speech? Irish rappers Kneecap are testing the limits

In the weeks since their controversial set at Coachella, the trio stand accused of promoting violence

More Kneecap Festival Appearances Canceled Amid Coachella Fallout and Accusations of Antisemitism

Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap had a number of upcoming shows in Germany canceled amid continued fallout and accusations of antisemitism from the band’s controversial Coachella performance. German festivals Hurricane and Southside, both of which are organized by FKP Scorpio, removed Kneecap from the music lineups following the Indio-based Coachella set. On April 25, the band confirmed on X that they would no longer be playing at the respective festi…

Several Kneecap shows cancelled in Berlin over Gaza support

Irish band Kneecap have had three more of their concerts cancelled as the trio continues to receive backlash over their support for Palestine amid Israel's ongoing war on Gaza. Kneecap were set to perform at the Hurricane Festival in June, one of Germany's largest festivals and its sister event, the Southside Festival. The festivals issued a statement last week saying: "Kneecap will not be performing at Hurricane and Southside Festival this year…

Kneecap: the Belfast rappers courting controversy

"There's not much that the Conservatives, the SNP and Labour agree on", but the band Kneecap has "pulled off the improbable and united political opponents against them", said The Spectator.Criticism of the Irish rappers has been mounting after video footage emerged of a 2023 gig, appearing to show one member of the trio saying, "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP." The band has issued an apology but several of their gigs have …

Kneecap's German tour cancelled and removed from festivals

Kneecap have had their tour of Germany cancelled in September, they are also no longer set to appear at Hurricane Festival and Southside Festival.