Irish rap trio Kneecap are to perform at Glastonbury Festival on Saturday after a number of politicians called for them to be banned from the event.
It comes after one of the band’s members, Liam Og O hAnnaidh, 27, was charged with allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah, while saying “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” at a gig in November last year.
Last week the rapper, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was cheered by hundreds of supporters as he arrived with bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in Free Mo Chara T-shirts.
He was released on unconditional bail until the next hearing at the same court on August 20.
Last week Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it would not be “appropriate” for them to perform in the slot, which is due to go ahead on the Somerset festival’s West Holts Stage at 4pm on Saturday.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch also said the BBC “should not be showing” the trio’s set in a post on social media last week.
Badenoch said in an X post, which was accompanied by an article from The Times which said the BBC had not banned the group: “The BBC should not be showing Kneecap propaganda.
“One Kneecap band member is currently on bail, charged under the Terrorism Act. As a publicly funded platform, the BBC should not be rewarding extremism.”
Kneecap are not listed as one of the acts being shown live by the broadcaster.
Ahead of the group’s set, an Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson told the PA news agency: “Ticket-holders can once again expect to see uniformed officers on site at Glastonbury Festival 24/7 throughout the festival as part of our extensive policing operation ensuring it is safe for everyone attending, as well as those who live nearby.”
Neil Young, best known for songs such as Rockin’ In The Free World, Like A Hurricane and Cinnamon Girl, will headline the festival’s Pyramid Stage on Saturday night with his band the Chrome Hearts.
Young’s set will now be shown live on the BBC, after the broadcaster had previously said it would not be shown “at the artist’s request”.
A spokesperson said: “We are delighted to confirm that Neil Young’s headline set from Glastonbury on Saturday will be broadcast live to audiences across the UK on the BBC.”
The set will be shown on the BBC iPlayer Pyramid Stage stream from 10pm, as well as broadcast on BBC Two and BBC Radio 2.
Another act expected to draw a big crowd is Brat star Charli XCX, who will headline the Other Stage around the same time Young and Grammy Award-winning rapper Doechii will also perform.
The Kaiser Chiefs were the first act to perform on the Pyramid Stage on Saturday where singer Ricky Wilson bounced along with the crowd dressed in a black and green pinstripe suit jacket, blue jeans and a red top.
The Leeds rockers played tracks such as Everyday I Love You Less And Less, Oh My God and The Angry Mob.
The 1975 headlined the festival’s Pyramid Stage on Friday night, with the performance seeing singer Matty Healy joke he was his generation’s “best songwriter”.
After performing Part Of The Band he sat on a stool while smoking and sipping his drink, Healy said: “What this moment is making me realise is that I probably am the best songwriter of my generation.
“The best what they say, a poet, ladies and gentlemen, is what I am.”
The band then launched into Chocolate from their 2013 self-titled debut, before Healy remarked “I was only joking about being a poet” at its conclusion.
Friday also saw a performance from Scottish music star Lewis Capaldi who told the Glastonbury crowds “I’m back baby” as he played a surprise set, two years after a performance at the festival during which he struggled to manage his Tourette syndrome symptoms.
He told fans: “It’s so good to be back. I’m not going to say much up here today, because if I do, I think I will probably start crying.”
Earlier on Friday, alternative pop star Lorde surprised fans with a secret set at Worthy Farm, performing her latest album Virgin, which was released on Friday, in full.
Celebrities who have been spotted at the festival include singer Harry Styles, Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne and Stranger Things star Joseph Quinn.
The Met Office’s Grahame Madge said of conditions at Worthy Farm: “We anticipate highs of 26C on Saturday, with high levels of humidity. By Monday temperatures can be anticipated to be over 30C.
“There is always the chance of a light shower, but there is nothing in the forecast that suggests anything heavier for Saturday for Somerset.”
Avon and Somerset Police have said there have been 75 reports of crimes at the festival with 20 arrests made.
Performing in the coveted Sunday legends slot this year is Sir Rod Stewart, who previously said he will be joined by his former Faces band member Ronnie Wood, as well as other guests.
Sir Rod’s performance will come after he postponed a string of concerts in the US, due to take place this month, while he recovered from flu.
The BBC is providing livestreams of the five main stages: Pyramid, Other, West Holts, Woodsies and The Park.
