Pulp, Paul Weller, and Fontaines DC among artists to sign open letter defending Kneecap
Pulp, Fontaines DC and Paul Weller are among a group of artists have voiced their support for Irish rap group Kneecap in a statement, following the recent backlash that the trio have received over their Coachella appearance.
The Belfast group initially stirred controversy for the pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel messaging which was displayed during their performance on the second weekend of the festival, and have since been pulled from several other bookings in response to their political stance.
The Irish trio are now the subject of an ongoing investigation from counter-terrorism police after footage emerged online from their shows. In one, reportedly from a gig in November 2023, they seemingly can be heard saying, “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.” In the other, which took place at the O2 Kentish Town in London last November, band member Mo Chara shouts, “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah.” Both Hamas and Hezbollah are recognised as terrorist organisations in the UK.
In response, the new open letter, which has been shared by Kneecap manager, Daniel Lambert, reads: “WE STAND FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION. This past week has seen a clear, concerted attempt to censor and ultimately deplatform the band Kneecap. In Westminster and the British media, senior political figures have been openly engaged in a campaign to remove Kneecap from the public eye, with veiled threats being made over their scheduled performances at gigs, outdoor events and music festivals, including Glastonbury.”
- Kneecap removed from major German festivals and have tour cancelled
- Kneecap controversy: The full story explained amid police investigation
The statement continues: “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.”
The message is critical of the government and the media’s influence on the actions of music festivals, and also expresses the opinion that it is in the interest of society and culture that “creative expression be protected” regardless of the political motivation behind it.
Among the artist signatures on the statement are English Teacher, Idles, Dexys, Massive Attack, Primal Scream and several more notable acts.
Massive Attack also issued a statement of their own. “Kneecap are not the story. Gaza is the story. Genocide is the story,” the Bristol band wrote on social media. “And the silence, acquiescence and support of those crimes against humanity by the elected British government is the real story.”
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