Glastonbury 2025: Kneecap slams industry insiders who signed secret letter calling for set ban
Kneecap have hit out against industry insiders who signed a secret letter urging Glastonbury Festival to ban the Irish trio from the line-up amid their ongoing terror charge.
DJ and producer Toddla T originally broke news of the secret letter, claiming a “private and confidential” letter was sent to Glastonbury Festival bookers from a “very systemically powerful music agent” urging the festival to remove from the line-up.
The DJ, who also produced Kneecap’s 2024 debut album Fine Art, revealed that the letter was “signed by 30 individuals from within the music industry.” This resulted in a “coordinated attempt by 30 members of the musical elite, people with systemic influence, to silence the voices of three working-class artists from Belfast. All of it was done behind closed doors.”
In a new interview with The Guardian, Kneecap have opened up about the impact this letter had on them. Naoise Ó Cairealláin, also known as Móglaí Bap, deemed it a form of vindication for the group.
Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, also known as Mo Chara, agreed, adding, “The fact that the letter was leaked changes things.” He continued, “And I hope that these people regret it. I think they’re already starting to.”
In contrast to the letter calling for their ban, over 100 key musicians, including Massive Attack, Bicep and Toddla T, signed a public letter in full support of Kneecap.
Chara currently faces much scrutiny after appearing at the Magistrates Court on June 18th; videos from a 2024 concert show him displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah, which is a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK. He can also be heard shouting, “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”, and has made anti-Government comments at shows such as “kill your local MP.” Far Out attended the pro-Kneecap, pro-Palestine protest outside the court, at which Chara received unconditional bail.
Kneecap will perform on the West Holts Stage at Glastonbury Festival on June 28th at 4pm.
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