Kneecap on Keir Starmer’s criticism: “It appeases the people he wants to appease”
Kneecap have said Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s calls for them to be removed from Glastonbury was a bid to appease “the people he wants to appease”.
Days before Kneecap performed on the West Holts Stage at Worthy Farm earlier this summer, Starmer said when asked by The Sun about their involvement at the festival: “No, I don’t, and I think we need to come down really clearly on this.”
The PM continued: “This is about the threats that shouldn’t be made, I won’t say too much because there’s a court case on, but I don’t think that’s appropriate.”
During their set, Kneecap used the occasion to respond to his comments by telling those in attendance, Fucking love the English people. It’s the English government we don’t like. We’re not far away from a Celtic republic. Fuck Keir Starmer.” The crowd also chanted, “Fuck Keir Starmer”.
Now, in a new interview with The Irish Times, Móglaí Bap spoke in more detail about politicians condemning the group, and used Starmer as an example.
He shared: “It seems it’s part of a politician’s job to be seen to be outraged about stuff, because it makes them have this kind of moral superiority – for example, Keir Starmer coming out against us for Glastonbury and having an interview with the Sun newspaper.”
The rapper, real name Naoise Ó Cairealláin, continued: “He knows – I’m sure he knows – talking to the Sun about us and condemning us isn’t going to stop us playing Glastonbury. But it appeases the people he wants to appease. He wants to be seen opposing us, and maybe appeasing a certain sector of society.”
Móglaí Bap also stressed, “Whatever is happening to us is a fraction of what’s happening in Gaza.”
It’s not only English politicians who have condemned Kneecap. This weekend, they will perform at Rock En Seine in Paris despite the French Minister of the Interior, Bruno Retailleau, claiming Kneecap’s upcoming performance would “constitute a disturbance of public order”.
In response, Rock En Seine’s owner, Matthieu Pigasse, defended his decision to retain the band on the line-up, stating, “To claim that supporting the Palestinian cause is a threat to public order is deplorable.”
However, Kneecap have been removed from many festivals this summer, such as TRNSMT in Glasgow, as well as Germany’s Hurricane and Southside festivals. The Hungarian government also enforced a ban on them entering the country, preventing them from performing at Sziget.
On August 20th, Kneecap’s Mo Chara appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court after being charged with a terror offence in May. The judge adjourned the ruling regarding the case, and the musician has been released on unconditional bail ahead of his next hearing on September 26th.
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