Northern Ireland

Kneecap cancel performances at major US music festival ‘in solidarity with the people of Palestine’

Band pull out of SXSW following US debut on Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon

West Belfast rap trio Kneecap pose with a red 1980 Mazda 626
Kneecap have pulled out of performing at this month's SXSW festival in Austin, Texas. PICTURE: PEADAR GILL
By Paul Ainsworth

Irish language rappers Kneecap have announced their withdrawal from a major US music festival over the event being sponsored by the American military.

The The Belfast hip-hop trio, Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí, were due to perform three gigs at the South By Southwest (SXSW) music and film festival in Austin, Texas, which runs from March 11-16.

The SXSW Music event is a showcase for rising talent in the music, film and industry, and Kneecap had been due to perform following their recent US TV debut appearance on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon last Friday.

Kneecap on Friday's Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.
Kneecap on Friday's Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

However, in a statement posted to social media on Sunday, the group said they would no longer be travelling to Austin and were withdrawing “in solidarity with the people of Palestine”.

They cited the US’s role in Israel’s ongoing war in Gaza that has so far led to over 31,000 deaths in the Palestinian territory.

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The group had previously appeared on RTÉ One’s The Late Late Show, and in an interview with host Patrick Kielty wore pro-Palestine badges and emblems, despite having agreed with RTÉ beforehand that they would not do so.

However, the group did not make any political statements during their performance on the US show, which is broadcast on the NBC channel and is the longest-running regularly scheduled entertainment show in the country.

Jimmy Fallon introducing Kneecap on Friday's broadcast.
Jimmy Fallon introducing Kneecap on Friday's broadcast.

In a statement posted to social media, the group said: “Tonight was a pre-record performance, which meant our ability to make a statement on current events was not possible.

“We will always use our voice to speak about the genocide being committed against the Palestinian people, sadly being facilitated by the US. Use your voice to call for a ceasefire and those responsible for war crimes to be brought to justice.”