KNEECAP fans gathered outside the band’s gig in Glasgow have spoken of their support for the Irish rap trio despite them being axed from festival slots.
The three members of Kneecap arrived at the O2 Academy in Glasgow on Tuesday evening ahead of their gig there, where they were greeted by pro-Palestinian demonstrators waving flags.
Kneecap were axed from the line-up of TRNSMT in the city amid a row over an investigation by counter-terror police into Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs as Mo Chara, who is accused of allegedly displaying a flag in support of the proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a gig in 2024.
The rap group have been outspoken critics of the war in Gaza and with censorship of their Glastonbury performance linked to their views on Palestine.
A number of fans and demonstrators spoke to The National outside the venue about their support for Kneecap.
One woman from Lanark said: "I'm here for the music, but I'm also here for support. I'm here for Palestine. I'm here for a united Ireland. I'm here for a better future and for free speech."
She went on to add: "I'm hoping Glasgow can tell the world tonight that we're unified, that we stand together against hate, and that we stand together against anybody that thinks oppression is acceptable."
One couple from Arbroath said they had originally planned to go to TRNSMT just to see the band, but So were "glad" they hadn't "they were just going to go to waste".
They added: "Everyone's here for the same reason, there's no one here for a different reason other than the music and their views."
A father had brought his teenager daughter to the gig from Airdrie, telling The National Kneecap reminded him of American rappers N.W.A from the 1980s.
N.W.A are among the most significant figures of the rap genre, and were considered to be controversial for their explicit lyrics, as well as their consistent accusations of institutional racism within the police.
He said: "They all sang about where they grew up and I think it's a lot of similarities between them, they're singing about their life in the streets and things like that.
"I'm not very politically minded, but I do understand where they're coming from."
TRNSMT cancelled Kneecap’s performance at the end of May over safety concerns from Police Scotland.
The police force said it has a “proportionate and considered policing plan” ahead of Kneecap’s gig in Glasgow, which replaced their cancelled slot at the TRNSMT festival.
As well as Kneecap’s sold-out gig, Billie Eilish and Kendrick Lamar are also performing in Glasgow on Tuesday.
In May, Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney called for TRNSMT to cancel the performance on July 11, saying that “organisers of TRNSMT have got to consider that issue”.
O hAnnaidh was charged under the name Liam O’Hanna by the Metropolitan Police in May, over the alleged display of a Hezbollah flag at a gig, and appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 18.
The furore led to calls from Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch for Glastonbury to cancel a performance from the Belfast rappers on June 28, which the festival organisers did not do.
Ahead of the Glasgow gig, superintendent Paul Douglas of Police Scotland said: “We are aware of a number of events and concerts due to take place in the Greater Glasgow area in the week beginning Monday July 7.
“A proportionate and considered policing plan is in place within the city and we are working with a number of stakeholders to ensure the safety of all those attending these events and where possible minimise disruption to the people of Glasgow.”
