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Kneecap’s performance at the 2025 Coachella Music Festival sparked controversy after the Northern Irish hip-hop rap band debuted at the music festival this year, where it performed for two weekends: the first on April 11 and the second on April 19.
During their performance on weekend number two, the band sent strong messages of pro-Palestinian sentiment. The highlight of the band’s performance was the moment when they displayed bold anti-Israel messages on a large screen behind them.
After their Coachella performance, Kneecap garnered both mixed responses from the masses, with some criticizing them heavily and calling their actions at the music festival a form of ‘hate speech.’
On Friday, April 25, Kneecap responded to the criticisms they are facing via a lengthy X statement. They said:
“We do not give a f*ck what religion anyone practices. We know there are massive numbers of Jewish people outraged by this genocide, just as we are. What we care about is that governments of the countries we perform in are enabling some of the most horrific crimes of our lifetimes — and we will not stay silent.”
More details on Kneecap’s response to criticisms Kneecap over their 2025 Coachella performance
The rock group consisting of DJ Próvaí, Mo Chara, and Móglaí Bap performed at the 2025 Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival on April 19, 2025. At the height of their performance, the group decided to share pro-Palestinian messages on large screens behind them, which read as follows:
“Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people.”
“It is being enabled by the US government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes.”
“F*ck Israel. Free Palestine.”
Mo Chara, one of the band members, also gave a speech about their views on the ongoing war between Israel and Palestine before leading his audience in a “Free, free Palestine" chant.
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Kneecap’s actions were met with serious backlash and criticism from numerous individuals, including public figure Sharon Osbourne. As reported, the on-air personality took to social media (X) and called the group’s actions a projection of anti-Israel messages and hate speech.
The group finally responded to the criticism, releasing a statement via their official X account, formerly Twitter. They talked about what happened during their Coachella performance and went further to reaffirm their support for Palestine. Kneecap stated:
“Since our statements at Coachella — exposing the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people — we have faced a coordinated smear campaign. For over a year, we have used our shows to call out the British and Irish governments' complicity in war crimes. The recent attacks against us, largely emanating from the US, are based on deliberate distortions and falsehoods. We are taking action against several of these malicious efforts.”
They continued:
“Let us be absolutely clear. The reason Kneecap is being targeted is simple — we are telling the truth, and our audience is growing. Those attacking us want to silence criticism of a mass slaughter. They weaponize false accusations of antisemitism to distract, confuse, and provide cover for genocide.”
“No media spin will change this. Our only concern is the Palestinian people — the 20,000 murdered children and counting. The young people at our gigs see through the lies. They stand on the side of humanity and justice. And that gives us great hope,” they added as they concluded the statement.
Before Kneecap released an official statement about their Coachella performance, the band’s manager responded to the criticisms the band faced. As per reports, he has praised Kneecap for their “bravery and conviction” and shared that several people have reached out to the band to express their thanks “for saying what is right, what is just and something that sadly isn’t said enough.”
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Despite the ongoing criticisms, Kneecap is scheduled to perform in various venues across the US and Canada in the coming months.
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