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Pressure mounts for Kneecap to be removed from Green Man Festival line-up

Pressure mounts for Kneecap to be removed from Green Man Festival line-up

Daniel Bevan - Senior Journalist

Daniel Bevan - Senior Journalist

Pressure is mounting on one of Wales’ largest music festivals to remove Northern Irish rap group Kneecap from the line-up amid growing controversy.

The group is scheduled to headline the first night of the Green Man Festival, held in Bannau Brycheiniog National Park this August. The band have faced backlash following the emergence of footage allegedly showing the group calling for the death of Members of Parliament.

With Welsh Government have now weighed-in, saying the festival “should consider whether it is appropriate for the act to perform at this year’s festival”

A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We fully and unequivocally condemn calls for violence against any group or individual.”

Businessin Wales has approached Green Man Festival for a statement. Kneecap’s performance at the Eden Project in Cornwall and at the Plymouth Pavilion have already been cancelled.

The backlash centres around two separate videos, both reportedly under assessment by Counter-Terrorism Police. One video allegedly shows a backdrop during a performance with the words: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.” Another, from a different event, allegedly features one of the members saying “up Hamas, up Hezbollah.”

In response, the Welsh Conservatives have voiced “serious concerns” and urged for the group’s appearance at the festival to be reconsidered.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the band said: “Let us be unequivocal: we do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah. We condemn all attacks on civilians, always. It is never okay. We know this more than anyone, given our nation’s history.

“We also reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual. Ever. An extract of footage, deliberately taken out of all context, is now being exploited and weaponised, as if it were a call to action.

“This distortion is not only absurd — it is a transparent effort to derail the real conversation.”

The group also apologised to the families of murdered MPs Sir David Amess and Jo Cox, saying: “We never intended to cause you hurt.”

Gareth Davies MS, Welsh Conservative Shadow Minister for Culture, Tourism & Sport, has written to both the organisers of Green Man Festival and Welsh First Minister Eluned Morgan MS, calling for the group’s removal from the line-up.

He said: “I was deeply concerned to hear that organisers of Green Man Festival have booked the controversial rap group Kneecap to perform at this year’s event.

“The group have been accused of glorifying violence and by providing a platform, Green Man risks further inciteful comments from the group.

“Following the tragic murders of Jo Cox MP and Sir David Amess MP, it is critical that public events avoid providing a platform to individuals who incite hatred. The organisers must consider the consequences of allowing their presence at the festival.

“Associating Green Man with such rhetoric risks undermining its reputation, inflaming community tensions, and sending a dangerous message that advocacy for violence is tolerated in Wales.

“That is why I have written a letter to the organisers and the First Minister to seek clarification on this.”

In defence of the group, Kneecap’s record label, Heavenly Records, has strongly supported the band, posting a list of 40 artists who they say support the right to freedom of expression.

In a statement on Instagram, the label said: “This past week has seen a clear, concerted attempt to censor and ultimately deplatform the band Kneecap.

“In Westminster and the British media, senior political figures have been openly engaged in a campaign to remove Kneecap from the public eye, with veiled threats being made over their scheduled performances at gigs, outdoor events and music festivals, including Glastonbury.

“Chillingly, it is also clear to us that influential figures and personalities within the wider music industry are attempting to influence this campaign of intimidation.”

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