Kneecap press shot
The BBC has announced that it will not live stream today’s set from controversial Irish group Kneecap at the Glastonbury Festival.
The hip-hop trio has courted controversy in recent months for numerous on-stage incidents, including displaying a flag of the terrorist organisation Hezbollah and sharing forceful views on Irish reunification.
Furthermore, in November 2023 one member of the group said on stage: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
The group are due to perform a one-hour set on the West Holts stage today at 4pm after Glasto organiser Emily Eavis cleared them to appear.
The BBC is broadcasting live streams of the five main stages all weekend, including West Holts, but has now decided to black out Kneecap’s live performance this afternoon.
A statement from the broadcaster said: “As the broadcast partner, the BBC is bringing audiences extensive music coverage from Glastonbury, with artists booked by the festival organisers. Whilst the BBC doesn’t ban artists, our plans ensure that our programming meets our editorial guidelines.
“We don’t always live stream every act from the main stages and look to make an on-demand version of Kneecap’s performance available on our digital platforms, alongside more than 90 other sets.”
Responding on Instagram, the band said: “The propaganda wing of the regime has just contacted us….
“They WILL put our set from Glastonbury today on the I-player later this evening for your viewing pleasure.
“The crowd expected today is far greater than West Holts capacity so ‘you’ll need to be very early to catch us father….VERY EARLY’.”
