Despite all the news headlines that have come out this week, it seems that Irish punk band Kneecap are set to take to the stage at Wide Awake Festival today for their headline set.
The gig comes hot on the heels of member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh being charged with a terrorism offence by British police after the events of a gig in London last year. He’s currently scheduled to appear in Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 18.
The band itself hit back after the announcement, calling it a “distraction” and accusing the government of “political policing”.
“14,000 babies are about to die of starvation in Gaza, with food sent by the world sitting on the other side of the wall, and once again the British establishment is focused on us,” they said in a statement released on social media.
"We deny this ‘offence’ and will vehemently defend ourselves."
And despite concern over whether or not they would play Wide Awake, it seems that they are – or at least, no statements have been released by the band or the festival stating otherwise.
It’s Kneecap’s first major show since their controversial Coachella set in February (where they sparked a worldwide debate by showing the banner ‘Free Palestine, F*** Israel’ during their set) and they’ve promised fireworks.
They also performed a surprise last-minute gig at The 100 Club in North London last night: playing to a crowd of 200 punters, where Ó hAnnaidh arrived with tape over his mouth.
When will they play?
The band are set to begin their set at 9pm and finish at 10.30pm: just in time for curfew.
In addition to Kneecap, the festival will feature performances from Irish artist CMAT, Mercury Prize winner English Teacher and Peaches – as well as up and coming New York electronic act Fcukers.
What will they play?
We don’t yet know, but we do know what they played during their Coachella set:
- 3CAG
- ITS BEEN AGES
- Amach Anocht
- Thart agus Thart
- Better Way to Live
- Sick in the Head
- Your Sniffer Dogs Are Shite
- I bhFiacha Linne
- I'm Flush
- Fine Art
- Rhino Ket
- Guilty Conscience
- Get Your Brits Out
- H.O.O.D
