Kneecap - CMU | the music business explained

No one seems to know if Kneecap are still banned from Canada - or whether they were ever actually banned at all

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Kneecap • 4 min read

No one seems to know if Kneecap are still banned from Canada - or whether they were ever actually banned at all

When Canadian MP Vince Gasparro announced Kneecap were banned from Canada last month he noted the criminal case against Mo Chara. With that case dismissed, it remains unclear if the ban is still in force, not least because it’s not clear in what capacity Gasparro announced the ban in the first place…

Chris Cooke • 01 Oct 2025

Kneecap terror charge thrown out as judge says prosecutors “defied logic”

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Kneecap • 3 min read

Kneecap terror charge thrown out as judge says prosecutors “defied logic”

Kneecap’s Mo Chara was back in court earlier today over the terror charge prompted by allegations he displayed a Hezbollah flag at a London gig last year. The judge ruled prosecutors made errors when charging the rapper and on that basis the case against him was “unlawful and null”…

Chris Cooke • 26 Sep 2025

Tabloid claims that Dua Lipa sacked agent over Glasto Kneecap letter are “categorically false” and “deliberately inflammatory”

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Dua Lipa • 3 min read

Tabloid claims that Dua Lipa sacked agent over Glasto Kneecap letter are “categorically false” and “deliberately inflammatory”

Reports have been circulating this week that Dua Lipa sacked either her manager or her agent after they signed a letter objecting to Kneecap playing Glasto. It was WME agent David Levy that signed the letter but he isn’t Lipa’s day-to-day agent at the agency and, in fact, nobody has been sacked…

Chris Cooke • 24 Sep 2025

After Kneecap banned from Canada, rap trio say they will take legal action

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Kneecap • 3 min read

After Kneecap banned from Canada, rap trio say they will take legal action

Kneecap have been banned from performing in Canada, where they were due to play four gigs next month. The Canadian government says the rap trio have “displayed support for terrorist organisations”, something Kneecap’s members strongly deny. They have vowed legal action against the ban…

Chris Cooke • 22 Sep 2025

Another weekend of Gaza protests at music festivals plus Kneecap cancel US shows

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Kneecap • 5 min read

Another weekend of Gaza protests at music festivals plus Kneecap cancel US shows

Kneecap have announced that their October tour of the US is officially cancelled, following reports of visa issues. The announcement comes after another weekend of festival-related politics, with Kneecap’s set at Rock en Seine in France and events at the Victorious Festival in the UK…

Chris Cooke • 26 Aug 2025

Kneecap thank fans who protested outside Westminster court yesterday as the “carnival of distraction rolls on”

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Kneecap • 2 min read

Kneecap thank fans who protested outside Westminster court yesterday as the “carnival of distraction rolls on”

Kneecap’s Mo Chara was in court yesterday facing a terror offence charge over allegations he displayed a Hezbollah flag at a London show last year. His lawyers are trying to get the case thrown out on a timing technicality. Hundreds of fans showed up outside the court to support the rapper…

Chris Cooke • 21 Aug 2025

Hungary Kneecap ban is “fucking outrageous” and has “no legal basis”, says band

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Kneecap • 3 min read

Hungary Kneecap ban is “fucking outrageous” and has “no legal basis”, says band

Hungary has banned Kneecap from entering the country ahead of a planned performance at Sziget Festival next month. The festival says the move by the Hungarian government is “unnecessary and regrettable”, while Kneecap have dubbed it “fucking outrageous”, insisting there is no legal basis for the ban…

Chris Cooke • 25 Jul 2025

Police close investigation into Kneecap’s Glasto set as artists launch syndicate in response to “intimidations” over support for Palestine

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Kneecap • 4 min read

Police close investigation into Kneecap’s Glasto set as artists launch syndicate in response to “intimidations” over support for Palestine

Police are no longer investigating Kneecap’s recent Glastonbury set having concluded that on-stage comments about a possible riot were not an incitement to riot. The band are also backing a new syndicate to support artists who are under pressure after speaking out in support of Palestine…

Chris Cooke • 21 Jul 2025

French mayor pulls Rock En Seine funding after festival confirms Kneecap are still playing

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Kneecap • 2 min read

French mayor pulls Rock En Seine funding after festival confirms Kneecap are still playing

France’s Rock En Seine festival booked Kneecap to play last autumn before controversies surrounding the group and their on-stage support for Palestine went mainstream. The festival says it is standing by the booking, even though that means losing €40,000 in funding from its local council…

Chris Cooke • 14 Jul 2025

Scottish First Minister hits back at Kneecap diss, says “let’s focus on Gaza”

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Kneecap • 3 min read

Scottish First Minister hits back at Kneecap diss, says “let’s focus on Gaza”

Kneecap and Bob Vylan have both discussed the controversies around their respective shows during gigs this week. Kneecap, playing Glasgow, included a dig at Scotland’s First Minister over his past criticism, though in response the politician echoed the rap group by saying the focus should be on Gaza…

Chris Cooke • 10 Jul 2025

As ministers demand answers from Glastonbury and BBC, Bob Vylan say it’s all a “distraction” from the government’s “criminal inaction” on Gaza

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Bob Vylan • 4 min read

As ministers demand answers from Glastonbury and BBC, Bob Vylan say it’s all a “distraction” from the government’s “criminal inaction” on Gaza

Controversy continues to build over Bob Vylan’s Glastonbury set. The duo are subject to a criminal investigation and have had US visas revoked, although the Jewish artist they were due to support there has backed his musical collaborators. Criticism of the BBC for broadcasting the set also continues…

Chris Cooke • 01 Jul 2025

“Fair play” to Eavis family for standing up to political pressure say Kneecap, as BBC “regrets” not pulling plug on Bob Vylan

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BBC • 5 min read

“Fair play” to Eavis family for standing up to political pressure say Kneecap, as BBC “regrets” not pulling plug on Bob Vylan

After the BBC decided not to broadcast Kneecap’s Glastonbury performance live, so it could edit out any controversial bits, it was Bob Vylan’s preceding set that prompted outrage. The BBC now says it should have pulled its live broadcast when Bobby Vylan started chanting “Death Death To The IDF”…

Chris Cooke • 30 Jun 2025