Three additional Kneecap concerts have been called off in Germany.
This development follows the revelation that a video showing a band member advocating for violence against MPs is under review by counter-terrorism authorities.
Ticketing platforms for the group’s scheduled performances in Hamburg, Berlin, and Cologne have indicated that these summer events have been cancelled.
Several political figures have urged organisers in the UK to withdraw invitations to the Irish rap act, with Conservative MP Mark Francois stating the group should not be part of the Glastonbury line-up amid the ongoing police inquiry.
The UK’s foremost Jewish representative organisation has also called on Glastonbury to rescind Kneecap’s appearance.
The Board of Deputies of British Jews said in a statement that the trio’s comments had “caused significant concern within the UK Jewish community and broader society.”
Appearing on RTÉ’s Prime Time on Tuesday, Kneecap’s manager argued that a form of “moral hysteria” was prevailing, and claimed the group faces scrutiny exceeding that of politicians.
Daniel Lambert contended that there is a “systematic campaign” targeting the band with the sole purpose of preventing them from performing.
“This is about signalling to emerging artists, through both the music industry and political spheres, that discourse on Palestine will not be tolerated,” he stated.
A number of musicians have publicly supported Kneecap in a joint declaration.
Among the signatories to Heavenly Recordings’ open letter are Fontaines DC, Annie Mac, Bicep, Massive Attack and Christy Moore.
The joint statement highlighted a “coordinated attempt to censor and ultimately silence” the band.
It accused Westminster politicians and sectors of the UK press of orchestrating efforts to exclude Kneecap from public platforms.
“As artists, we must express our opposition to any political suppression of creative freedom,” the statement read.
“In a democratic society, no politician or political party should determine who is permitted to perform at events enjoyed by thousands,” it added.
On the issue of cancellations, Kneecap’s manager said, “It is not for us to worry; it is for us to stand by our choices.”
He noted that performing at Coachella was the correct course of action and that “the recent controversy has stemmed from that appearance.”
Television personality Sharon Osbourne has urged US authorities to revoke Kneecap’s work visas after their Coachella set in California, where they criticised Israel’s actions in Gaza as a US-funded genocide.
The group’s scheduled appearances at the Hurricane and Southside festivals in Germany were both cancelled last week.
A show at the Eden Project in Cornwall has also been called off.
On Tuesday, an Eden Sessions Limited representative stated: “Ticket holders will be contacted directly and fully reimbursed.”
Kneecap are also due to open for Fontaines DC at Boucher Playing Fields, Belfast, this August.
Belfast city councillor Jim Rodgers of the Ulster Unionist Party told BBC Radio Ulster’s The Nolan Show that “serious consideration should be given” to whether the concert should proceed.
“I have already consulted with some council officials and hope appropriate measures will be taken. We have a duty to lead by example,” he remarked.
“Allowing this performance to go ahead would convey the wrong message.”
The Democratic Unionist Party has called for an urgent council meeting on the matter.
“Expressing concern about ‘inflammatory language,’ the glorification of terrorism and encouragement of violence, we maintain such performers should not be given a platform on Council property,” the party said.
A spokesperson for Belfast City Council clarified: “Management of the venue is determined by a legal agreement between the council and the promoter. Programming remains at the organisers’ discretion.
“Any issue raised by elected members would be considered by the relevant committee and full council.”
Kneecap is an Irish-language rap trio known for provocative lyrics and merchandise.
Formed in 2017, the group comprises three friends performing as Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí.
Their ascent has inspired a semi-fictional film featuring Oscar nominee Michael Fassbender.
The film secured a British Academy of Film Award (Bafta) in February 2025.
Last week, video surfaced from a November 2023 performance in which a band member appears to say: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
The daughter of the late Conservative MP David Amess, who was fatally attacked at a constituency event, has demanded an apology from the group.
In a statement on X, Kneecap asserted that footage had been “deliberately taken out of context and is being exploited as a supposed call to action.”
The band described some criticisms as a “smear campaign” intended to distract from their messages of “love” and solidarity with Palestine.
They continued: “To the Amess and Cox families, we offer our sincere apologies; we never intended to cause distress.”
On Tuesday, Brendan Cox, husband of murdered MP Jo Cox, called for Kneecap to provide a “genuine apology.”
Commenting on the apology, Mr Cox said it constituted “only a partial apology.”
No member of Kneecap currently faces any criminal charges.
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