Coachella Festival Blindsided by Kneecap's Pro-Palestinian Messages

Join Kneecap as they rock the Coachella stage with bold pro-Palestinian messages that left organizers stunned.

Kneecap Takes a Stand at Coachella

The organisers of Coachella 2025 were reportedly “blindsided” by Kneecap's powerful pro-Palestinian messages and chants throughout the festival. This Irish rap trio made headlines with their performances on the Sonora Stage during both weekends of the California festival.

In their first set, the live stream was abruptly cut after they expressed support for a free Palestine and led the crowd in a provocative anti-Margaret Thatcher chant. Reflecting on the incident, they remarked, “Not only was that cut, our messaging on the US-backed genocide in Gaza somehow never appeared on screens either.”

A Bold Second Weekend Performance

During the second weekend, Kneecap took matters into their own hands by providing their own livestream. Political commentator Hasan Piker broadcast their set live on Twitch, where they displayed slogans such as “Fuck Israel, Free Palestine” and “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people”. These powerful messages were projected on the screen behind them as they performed.

“Some uncensored messaging to Coachella” - Kneecap

A Raw Speech from Mo Chara

In a heartfelt moment, band member Mo Chara delivered a brief but impactful speech to the audience. He stated, “The Irish not so long ago were persecuted at the hands of the Brits, but we were never bombed from the fucking skies with nowhere to go. The Palestinians have nowhere to go, it’s their fucking home and they’re bombing them from the skies. If you’re not calling it a genocide what the fuck are you calling it?” This led to a powerful chant of “Free, Free Palestine” from the crowd.

Organizers Respond to Backlash

Reports suggest that Paul Tollett, the CEO of festival organizer Goldenvoice, felt blindsided by Kneecap’s actions. Following their performance, Jewish organizations criticized the festival for providing a platform for such messaging.

Kneecap has a long history of supporting Palestine, making their stance clear on social media and through high-profile TV appearances. Last year, in a feature article, they reiterated their opposition to what they describe as Israel’s “occupation and genocide” of Gaza. The band has also been actively involved in fundraising efforts, raising nearly $125,000 for a volunteer gym in the Aida Refugee Camp in Palestine.

Recent Developments and Reactions

More recently, Kneecap expressed their outrage over Israel's actions concerning Gaza, labeling it a “slaughter” against vulnerable populations. They did not hold back criticism of the Irish Prime Minister, calling Micheál Martin derogatory names after his visit to meet US President Donald Trump.

In January, frustrated by their film being snubbed from the Oscar nominations despite being longlisted, the band responded with a powerful tweet: “Fuck the Oscars. Free Palestine.” Their reaction resonated with their ongoing commitment to draw attention to the struggles in Gaza, urging fans to remember the gravity of the situation.

Watch Kneecap perform at Glastonbury 2024 on their love of Fontaines D.C., Lewis Capaldi and Paul Mescal.

FAQs:

• What is Kneecap known for? Kneecap is an Irish rap trio known for their politically charged music and strong support for Palestinian rights.
• Why did Coachella organizers feel blindsided? They were surprised by the unexpected pro-Palestinian messages during Kneecap's performance, particularly after Jewish groups criticized the festival for allowing it.
• What slogans did Kneecap display during their performance? They displayed slogans like “Fuck Israel, Free Palestine” and “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people.”
• How did Kneecap fundraise for Palestine? They raised nearly $125,000 for a volunteer gym in the Aida Refugee Camp in Palestine, reflecting their ongoing commitment to the cause.
• What was the response to Kneecap's Oscar snub? The band vocally criticized their film being excluded from the nominations, tweeting “Fuck the Oscars. Free Palestine.”

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