Kneecap fans turned out in force to support Irish-language hip-hop trio at their biggest ever festival headline gig, just days after a band member was charged with a terror offence. Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who faces court next month, accused authorities of “political policing” and urged fans not to be “on the wrong side of history.” The rapper said the world needs to see solidarity from 20,000 people in London chanting for Palestine’s freedom.
The UN described Gaza as a humanitarian crisis, and Kneecap’s music has sparked controversy over its views on the issue. However, fans like Myrtle from Brighton say the band’s views are “amazing” and “completely right.” The gig at Brixton culminated in rousing renditions of Kneecap songs Get Your Brits out and H.O.O.D, with the band encouraging fans to shout out Irish Republican slogans.
Some have criticized the band for being naive or apologists for violence, but others defend their right to free expression. Artists such as Massive Attack and Primal Scream have publicly defended Kneecap, saying authorities are “strategically concocting moral outrage” over the group’s stage utterings. The debate highlights the tensions between freedom of speech and anti-terror laws.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz70lyqzeqeo