Kneecap’s headline set at London’s Wide Awake 2025 to go ahead as planned
Kneecap will still be headlining London’s Wide Awake 2025 as planned, the festival has confirmed.
Politicians have been calling for Kneecap to be removed from festival line-ups this summer after the Irish rap trio became embroiled in controversy after their appearance at Coachella 2025, where they supposedly “blindsided” festival organisers by projecting the slogan “Fuck Israel, Free Palestine” onto the screen behind them, led chants from the audience, and gave a speech about their support for Gaza.
Backlash continued when footage from previous live shows resurfaced and showed the members appearing to both support Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as call on fans to “kill their local MP”. Footage from the shows has become the subject of attention from counter-terror police in the UK, while the divisive set at Coachella led to calls from Sharon Osbourne to have their working visa revoked.
Consequently, shows in Hamburg, Cologne and Berlin for this summer have been cancelled, as well as a date in Plymouth in July (although the band have announced replacement shows on the south coast). Previously announced shows at Hurricane and Southside Festivals and an Eden Project gig have also been cancelled.
Wide Awake has now shared a statement on their social media confirming Kneecap’s headline performance was still going ahead. “After positive discussions with key stakeholders, Wide Awake Festival can confirm that, as planned, Kneecap will be performing at this year’s festival on Friday May 23 at Brockwell Park,” the statement began.
“Wide Awake Festival has a proud history of supporting the alternative music scene, and we look forward to staging another unforgettable event showcasing the very best emerging and established talent.”
Other acts on the bill that day include English Teacher, CMAT, Nadine Shah, Bdrmm, Peaches, Fat Dog and many more. Visit here for tickets and more information.
Many have shared their support for Kneecap and the “freedom of expression” – including Tom Morello, Brian Eno, Pulp, Fontaines D.C. and more, who all signed an open letter to protect freedom of expression.
Other artists who have defended Kneecap amid the backlash include Fontaines D.C., IDLES, Massive Attack, Paul Weller, Primal Scream, Enter Shikari, English Teacher, The Pogues, Lankum, Toddla T, Sleaford Mods and Thin Lizzy. One of the most vocal acts backing the trio is Massive Attack – who themselves have been ardent supporters for Palestine for decades and have boycotted performing in Israel since 1999.
Kneecap have since called the controversy “a coordinated smear campaign” against their efforts in “exposing the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people”.
“For over a year, we have used our shows to call out the British and Irish governments’ complicity in war crimes. The recent attacks against us, largely emanating from the US, are based on deliberate distortions and falsehoods,” they said, adding that they are “taking action against several of these malicious efforts”.
“The reason Kneecap is being targeted is simple — we are telling the truth, and our audience is growing,” the statement read. “Those attacking us want to silence criticism of a mass slaughter. They weaponize false accusations of antisemitism to distract, confuse, and provide cover for genocide,” bringing up “massive numbers of Jewish people” who are “outraged by this genocide just as we are”.
“What we care about is that governments of the countries we perform in are enabling some of the most horrific crimes of our lifetimes — and we will not stay silent. No media spin will change this,” they wrote.
“Our only concern is the Palestinian people — the 20,000 murdered children and counting.”
They praised the audiences at their shows, saying that they “see through the lies” and “stand on the side of humanity and justice,” concluding: “And that gives us hope.”
The Belfast rap trio also spoke out to again denounce violence, adding: “We do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah. We condemn all attacks on civilians, always. It is never OK. We know this more than anyone, given our nation’s history.”
Kneecap are also set to play Glastonbury, TRNSMT and Green Man but currently remain on these line-ups. Meanwhile, 2000trees boss James Scarlett has confirmed on 2 Promoters 1 Podcast that Kneecap’s headline set there in July will be going ahead.
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