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Scottish Sun

Kneecap PULL OUT of TRNSMT amid calls for rappers to be axed from line-up

'WE ARE SORRY' 'WE ARE SORRY' Kneecap PULL OUT of TRNSMT amid calls for rappers to be axed from line-up Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) KNEECAP has pulled out of this year's TRNSMT line-up following calls for the group to be axed. The Irish hip-hop trio were due to perform at Glasgow Green in July. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap will no longer perform at TRNSMT Credit: PA 3 TRNSMT festival returns to Glasgow Green this summer with a host of stars Credit: Roddy Scott But the Met Police confirmed rapper Liam O'Hanna, 27, from Belfast, was charged with allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah. O'Hanna, who performs under the moniker Mo Chara, has been charged with displaying a flag in support of the Iranian proxy force in Lebanon. The alleged incident unfolded on November 21 last year at the O2 Forum, in Kentish Town, London. Kneecap will instead play a gig at Glasgow's O2 Academy on Tuesday, July 8. Today's announcement follows growing calls for the group to be banned from playing the Glasgow Green event. They have faced backlash after videos emerged of the self-proclaimed "Repbulican hoods" urging fans to "kill your local MP" and chanting "The only good Tory is a dead Tory". In a statement on Facebook, the group wrote: "Due to concerns expressed by the police about safety at the event, Kneecap can no longer perform at TRNSMT. "To the thousands of people who bought tickets, flights and hotels to see us play, we are is out of our hands. "Glasgow has always been a huge city for us. We've played there many many times, with no issues - ever. Make of that what you will. "To try to make up for it, we will be at your O2 Academy on Tuesday July 8th. "Pre-sale is tomorrow at 10am in our WhatsApp channel. "General sale is 10am this coming Saturday." 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. "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." 3 Kneecap comprises Liam Og O Hannaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh Credit: Peadar Ó Goill A spokesperson for TRNSMT said: 'Due to concerns expressed by the Police about safety at the event, Kneecap will no longer perform at TRNSMT on Friday, 11 July. We thank fans for their understanding." First Minister John Swinney recently waded into the row saying it was 'unacceptable' for them to perform at TRNSMT. Some have also called for the group's Glastonbury slot to be axed and their music removed from streaming sites in the Commons. It comes after they were dropped from a festival line-up in Cornwall. Kneecap first came under fire after ending their Coachella performance with a pro-Palestinian message. A message reading "F*** Israel, Free Palestine" appeared on the screen behind them at the end of their set. Sharon Osbourne, whose father was Jewish, slammed them on Instagram and demanded their US visas be revoked. It also emerged the Coachella gig led to the band receiving death threats. When asked about the threats, their manager Daniel Lambert told Irish broadcaster RTÉ: "It would be too severe to tell you on the radio at this time of day but you could probably imagine the things yourself." When asked if the messages specifically included death threats, he said: "They have yes." He added: "If somebody is hurt by the truth, that's something for them to be hurt by, but it's really important to speak truth. "Thankfully the lads are not afraid to do that." A film about the band was also released in 2024 and saw the director Rich Peppiatt win a BAFTA for Outstanding Debut. Last year Kneecap won their action challenging the withdrawal of arts funding by the previous Tory government.