Kneecap dropped by US visa sponsor following pro-Palestine Coachella performance
The Irish rap trio have hit back at "false claims of anti-semitism" alleging that they have faced "a coordinated smear campaign" since their appearance at the festival
Kneecap have been dropped by their US visa sponsor amid fallout from their recent Coachella performance, meaning the trio are currently unable to perform in the country.
During the Irish rap trio's show at the second weekend of the California-based festival (Friday, April 17), slogans in support of Palestine were visible on screens above the Sonora Stage, including: “Fuck Israel, Free Palestine” and “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people."
Following the show, several celebrities and political figures have taken to social media to criticise Kneecap, including former X Factor judge Sharon Osborne who demanded they be stripped of their US visa due to "promoting terrorist organisations and spreading hate."
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In a statement to BBC News NI, the US State Department said it could not discuss individual cases, but would consider revocation if an applicant "poses a threat to public safety, or other situations where revocation is warranted".
"This can include everything from arrests, criminal convictions, and engaging in conduct that is inconsistent with the visa classification, to an overstay," the statement continues.
Last week, Kneecap's US agent and visa sponsor Independent Artist Group (IAG) confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that they "were no longer working" with the group.
Kneecap will have to find a new visa sponsor now to ensure they can perform in the US. They have sold out the majority of dates for their upcoming USA tour this October.
While Kneecap's USA tour dates have not been cancelled, Hurricane and Southside festivals - regarded as one of Germany's "biggest festivals" with split programming similar to the UK's Reading and Leeds - have removed Kneecap from their line-up.
No reason was given for the cancellation of Kneecap's performance, however the Belfast News Letter reports that The Young Forum of the German-Israeli Society's chairman Lasse Schauder responded to the decision, writing: “Anyone who supports or glorifies terrorist organisations like Hezbollah or Hamas should not be allowed a place on concert stages.”
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Since their performance at Coachella, counter terror police in the UK have initiated investigations into the trio over footage of two performances from 2023 and 2024.
The first had been from a clip from their show at London's Kentish Town Forum in November last year, where a member of Kneecap can allegedly be seen shouting "up Hamas, up Hezbollah."
Yesterday (April 27), the Metropolitan Police said they were investigating another clip in which a member of the band had allegedly said: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP."
In a statement to Sky News, a Met spokesperson said: "We were made aware of a video on April 22, believed to be from an event in November 2024, and it has been referred to the counter-terrorism internet referral unit for assessment and to determine whether any further police investigation may be required."
"We have also been made aware of another video believed to be from an event in November 2023," they added.
In a statement shared via Instagram on Friday (April 25), Kneecap hit back at "false claims of anti-semitism" against them, claiming it is being "used to distract, confuse, and provide cover for genocide."
"The reason Kneecap is being targeted is simple - we are telling the truth, and our audience is growing," they wrote. "We do not give a f*ck what religion anyone practices. We know there are massive numbers of Jewish people outraged by this genocide just as we are. What we care about is that governments of the countries we perform in are enabling some of the most horrific crimes of our lifetimes - and we will not stay silent."
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"Since our statements at Coachella - exposing the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people - we have faced a coordinated smear campaign. For over a year, we have used our shows to call out the British and Irish governments' complicity in war crimes," they continue.
"The recent attacks against us, largely emanating from the US, are based on deliberate distortions and falsehoods. We are taking action against several of these malicious efforts," Kneecap add.
You can read Kneecap's full statement below.
Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, follow her on Twitter