Paul Weller, Primal Scream and Lowkey are amongst some of the many music stars who have signed a letter in support of Irish rap group Kneecap.
Kneecap have underwent weeks of controversy with criticism regarding their opposition to Israel’s occupation of Palestine. During their performance at US festival Coachella they displayed the message “F*** Israel. Free Palestine“.
After Coachella, resurfaced footage from a gig at London’s Kentish Town Forum last November, allegedly shows one member of the group shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah“.
Another video would resurface from a 2023 November gig, appearing to show one member of the group saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
This has led to Keir Starmer & Kemi Badenoch and calling for their prosecution as both videos are currently being reviewed by counter terror police.
Many of their gigs have now been cancelled, including one that was set to take place at Cornwall’s Eden Project. Glastonbury Festival is now facing pressure to drop the trio from this year’s line-up.
In an open letter, the group’s label, Heavenly Recordings, says there has been a “clear, concerted attempt to censor and ultimately deplatform” the group.
The open letter reads:
“As artists, we feel the need to register our opposition to any political repression of artistic freedom.”
“In a democracy, no political figures or political parties should have the right to dictate who does and does not play at music festivals or gigs that will be enjoyed by thousands of people.”
It also accuses politicians of “strategically concocting moral outrage over the stage utterings of a young punk band” while ignoring a “genocide” in Gaza.
“Kneecap are not the story. Gaza is the story. Genocide is the story,” it says. “And the silence, acquiescence and support of those crimes against humanity by the elected British Government is the real story.
“Solidarity with all artists with the moral courage to speak out against Israeli war crimes, and the ongoing persecution and slaughter of the Palestinian people.”
The groups open letter has over 40 signatures and counting:
Annie Mac, Beoga, Bicep, Biig Piig, Blindboy Boatclub, Bob Vylan, Christy Moore, Damien Dempsey, Delivery, Dexys, English Teacher, Enter Shikari, Fontaines D.C., Gemma Dunleavy, Gurriers, Idles, Iona Zajac, Jelani Blackman and John Francis Flynn.
Joshua Idehen, Katy J Pearson, Kojaque, Lankum, Lisa O’Neill, Lowkey, Massive Attack, Martyn Ware, Paul Weller, Peter Perrett, Poor Creature, Primal Scream and Pulp.
Roisin El Cherif, Shirley Manson, Sleaford Mods, Soft Play, The Mary Wallopers, The Pogues, Thin Lizzy and Toddla T.
