Irish Rap Group Kneecap Removed from TRNSMT Festival Over Police Concerns

Irish rap trio Kneecap has been removed from the lineup of Glasgow’s TRNSMT Festival following concerns raised by Police Scotland over potential safety issues. The group, scheduled to perform on July 11 at Glasgow Green, announced the cancellation on social media, clarifying that they were removed and did not pull out voluntarily. The decision comes amid legal and political controversy involving member Mo Chara, who was charged in May with a terror offense after allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag during a performance in London in November 2024. The group has denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated.

Kneecap has faced prior criticism, including for a 2023 concert video in which one member reportedly made inflammatory remarks about UK politicians. Despite these controversies, they emphasized their clean record performing in Glasgow previously and apologized to fans who had already made travel plans. In response to being dropped from TRNSMT, Kneecap has scheduled a headline show at Glasgow’s O2 Academy on July 8. Festival organizers DF Concerts confirmed the decision, citing police concerns, and thanked fans for their understanding. Mo Chara is expected to appear in court on June 18. Kneecap continues to maintain that they oppose violence against civilians and do not support proscribed groups.