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Scottish police have issued a statement regarding Kneecap and their upcoming show in Glasgow following their removal from the TRNSMT line-up.
In May the controversial Belfast rap trio took to social media to reveal that they’d no longer be playing the Scottish festival, following an investigation from the police into their on-stage comments and actions back in 2024.
The charge related to Mo Chara allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah, and while the band have denied supporting either Hamas or Hezbollah – stated that they would not incite or condone violence against any individuals – Chara was forced to appear in court after being charged by the Metropolitan Police with a terror offence.
While they were dropped from the line-up to TRNSMT festival in Glasgow due to the controversy, the trio did quickly announce a replacement headline gig, taking place at the city’s O2 Academy on Tuesday July 8 instead. Tonight’s show will be held just days before the festival kicks off on Friday (July 11).
Now, ahead of the show beginning tonight, Police Scotland have said that they have a “proportionate and considered policing plan” in place for the event.
In a new statement, Superintendent Paul Douglas said (via Scotsman): “We are aware of a number of events and concerts due to take place in the Greater Glasgow area in the week beginning Monday, July 7, 2025.
“A proportionate and considered policing plan is in place within the city and we are working with a number of stakeholders to ensure the safety of all those attending these events and where possible minimise disruption to the people of Glasgow.”
Kneecap’s appearance at TRNSMT is not the only gig they have had cancelled recently, as events including Germany’s Hurricane Festival and Southside Festivals dropped them from the 2025 bill, as did Cornwall’s Eden Project. The band announced a replacement show in Plymouth for the latter, but this was cancelled too.
When asked by NME why they were dropped from TRNSMT, a Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Any decision on the line-up at TRNSMT is for the organisers and there was no prior consultation with Police Scotland before acts were booked.
“Officers have highlighted the potential reaction of such a large audience to this band would require a significant policing operation in order to support the delivery of a safe event,” they added. “We have also passed on information from the public around safety concerns to allow organisers to make an informed decision on the running of the festival.
Pressure for them to be removed from festival line-ups this summer has largely come from MPs, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer. A large amount of pressure was put on Glastonbury festival to axe their slot, but organiser Emily Eavis and co. kept them on the line-up, and the band used the slot to call out the PM. The BBC did decide, however, not to broadcast the performance.
As for Mo Chara’s charges, the rapper appeared in court just days before the Worthy Farm festival, and was given unconditional bail. The band also defended their “satirical” past concerts, arguing that it is not their job to “tell people what’s a joke and what’s not”.
More recently, the trio played a huge slot at Finsbury Park over the weekend, opening for Fontaines D.C., and also shared the boisterous video for ‘The Recap’ – their new song which criticises Kemi Badenoch – the current leader of the Conservative Party.
At the former, the band spoke out in support of Palestine again and addressed the legal issues faced by Mo Chara. “It’s nice to be back in London and not be up in court… It’s been a mad few weeks lads,” he said.
“It’s inhumane, I’m thinking of new things to say during a genocide,” he continued, before speaking about people in Gaza being starved and bombed from the sky. “It doesn’t matter how big or small our audience is, we will always use our platform.”
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