The Irish hip hop group Kneecap has seen several of their shows in Germany canceled after displaying a controversial sign during their recent performance at Coachella.
Last month at Coachella, Kneecap stirred significant controversy when they showcased a sign that read “Fuck Israel, Free Palestine.” They criticized Israel, invoking their own Irish history of persecution.
“Not long ago, the Irish people faced repression by the British. But we weren’t bombed from the air—our situation was different. The Palestinians, however, have nowhere to escape. Their home is under siege,” they stated.
Since the event, the group has been accused of promoting anti-Semitism and endorsing Hamas, claims they have denied. Reports indicate that some performances in Germany have been called off.
The Hurricane and South Side festivals, organized by FKP Scorpio, have removed Kneecap from their lineups following the incident at Coachella. On April 25, the band acknowledged they would no longer perform at those festivals and listed shows in Cologne, Berlin, and Hamburg for September. However, tickets for these events have also been canceled recently.
In a statement shared on X, the band commented that the cancellation represents “a loud silence over other actions.”
“This is about distractions and warnings regarding other actions to maintain silence, or there will be attempts to silence you,” they elaborated.
“We should not overlook why the entire political class in Britain and their media are more agitated about Kneecap than the widespread suffering of children affected by conflict. ‘We can’t express the truth at Coachella,'” they added.
As the situation escalated, Kneecap was reportedly scrutinized by British counter-terrorism authorities due to comments made at prior concerts, which reportedly encouraged violence against politicians. They’ve since publicly distanced themselves from such claims.
The band denied any support for violence against political figures, asserting, “We do not endorse any actions related to Hamas or Hezbollah.” They emphasized their commitment to peaceful expression and dialogue.
