Irish hip hop act Kneecap will nonetheless be headlining Vast Awake Pageant 2025 as deliberate, the pageant has introduced. It’ll mark the band’s first present since they carried out at Coachella final month.
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The news arrives following a period of intense scrutiny on the West Belfast trio within the weeks after Coachella. On the finish of their units, Kneecap displayed messages on the conflict in Gaza, writing: “Israel is committing genocide towards the Palestinian folks. It’s being enabled by the U.S. authorities who arm and fund Israel regardless of their conflict crimes. F–ok Israel; free Palestine.”
The group went on to face criticism from various business figures together with Sharon Osbourne, who referred to as for his or her U.S. visas to be retracted. A gaggle of politicians, in the meantime, referred to as for Kneecap to be faraway from a sequence of U.Okay. pageant line-ups this summer season.
Scrutiny continued when counter-terror police in London announced (May 1) an investigation into movies of band members allegedly calling for the loss of life of elected British MPs and shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah.” The group have since gone on to issue a statement to their Instagram account: “Allow us to be unequivocal: we don’t, and have by no means, supported Hamas or Hezbollah. We condemn all assaults on civilians, at all times. It’s by no means okay,” it learn partially.
Consequently, German headline reveals in Hamburg, Cologne and Berlin for this summer season have been pulled, alongside previously-announced appearances at Hurricane and Southside Festivals. An evening on the Eden Challenge, Cornwall, was additionally cancelled final month however has since been replaced with three new dates in the nearby city of Plymouth, south west England.
Vast Awake have now shared a statement across their social media platforms confirming Kneecap’s headline efficiency remains to be slated to go forward subsequent week (Could 23). “After constructive discussions with key stakeholders, Vast Awake Pageant can affirm that, as deliberate, Kneecap might be acting at this yr’s pageant on Friday Could 23 at Brockwell Park,” it started.
“Vast Awake has a proud historical past of supporting the choice music scene, and we look ahead to staging one other unforgettable occasion showcasing the perfect rising and established expertise.”
The submit additionally featured a prolonged signatory checklist of artists sharing their help for Kneecap and the “freedom of expression,” that includes names reminiscent of Pulp, Fontaines D.C., Primal Scream, Huge Assault, Self Esteem and Amyl and The Sniffers, amongst others.
Different acts set to carry out at Vast Awake, which takes place in Brockwell Park, south London, embody English Instructor, CMAT, Peaches, Fats Canine and extra. Tickets and the total line-up might be discovered on the event’s official website.