Kneecap axed from TRNSMT music competition over police considerations

Irish rap group Kneecap say they’ve been axed from the TRNSMT music competition in Glasgow over police considerations about security.

Police Scotland stated final week that permitting the trio to carry out at Glasgow Green on 11 July would require “a major policing operation”.

It adopted a member of the Irish language group being charged with a terror offence after allegedly displaying a flag in assist of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London gig.

The Belfast trio had been additionally criticised over 2023 gig footage that appeared to indicate a band member saying: “The solely good Tory is a useless Tory. Kill your native MP.”

The group are nonetheless on account of carry out on the Glastonbury competition, the place they’re listed on the lineup for Saturday 28 June.

Kneecap launched an announcement saying that, to make up for the TRNSMT cancellation, they’d be placing on a brand new present at Glasgow’s O2 Academy on Tuesday 8 July.

The band stated: “Due to considerations expressed by the police about security on the occasion, Kneecap can not carry out at TRNSMT.

“To the hundreds of people that purchased tickets, flights and resorts to see us play, we’re sorry…it’s out of our fingers.

“Glasgow has at all times been an enormous metropolis for us. We’ve performed there many many instances, with no points – ever. Make of that what you’ll.”

The band later added: “Kneecap did not ‘pull out’ of TRNSMT – Kneecap had been eliminated.”

TRNSMT promoters DF Concerts stated: “Due to considerations expressed by the police about security on the occasion, Kneecap will not carry out at TRNSMT on Friday, 11 July.

“We thank followers for his or her understanding.”

Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, 27, has been charged by the Metropolitan Police after an incident on 21 November 2024 on the O2 Forum in Kentish Town, London.

Mr Ó hAnnaidh, who performs below the title Mo Chara, is because of seem at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 18 June.

Officers from the Met’s counter terrorism command had been made conscious on 22 April of a web based video from the occasion.

Belfast man Mr Ó hAnnaidh has been charged below the title Liam O’Hanna.

Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney had backed requires Kneecap to be axed from the TRNSMT lineup over their “kill your native Tory” remark.

The have have since apologised to the families of murdered MPs Sir David Amess and Jo Cox.

A Police Scotland spokesperson beforehand stated any determination on who performs at TRNSMT was for the organisers to make.