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Kneecap row: Paul Weller and Primal Scream lead musicians in signing open letter in support of rap trio

Paul Weller, Primal Scream and DJ Annie Mac are among the music stars who have signed a letter in support of rap group Kneecap.

The politically-charged Belfast trio, who are no strangers to controversy, have faced criticism in recent weeks following a performance at US festival Coachella in which they displayed the message “F*** Israel. Free Palestine”.

Then came the emergence of footage, taken from a gig at London’s Kentish Town Forum last November, which appeared to show one member of the group shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”.

Video also emerged from a November 2023 gig, appearing to show one member of the group saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for Kneecap to face prosecution over the two videos, while Glastonbury Festival is now facing pressure to drop them from this year’s line-up.

A handful of the group’s gigs have been cancelled, including one that was set to take place at Cornwall’s Eden Project.

In an open letter, the group’s record label, Heavenly Recordings, said there had been a “clear, concerted attempt to censor and ultimately deplatform” the group.

More than 40 music acts have now signed the letter.

It reads: “As artists, we feel the need to register our opposition to any political repression of artistic freedom.

“In a democracy, no political figures or political parties should have the right to dictate who does and does not play at music festivals or gigs that will be enjoyed by thousands of people.”

It also accuses politicians of “strategically concocting moral outrage over the stage utterings of a young punk band” while ignoring a “genocide” in Gaza.

“Kneecap are not the story. Gaza is the story. Genocide is the story,” it says. “And the silence, acquiescence and support of those crimes against humanity by the elected British Government is the real story.

“Solidarity with all artists with the moral courage to speak out against Israeli war crimes, and the ongoing persecution and slaughter of the Palestinian people.”

The full list of signatories

Annie Mac, Beoga, Bicep, Biig Piig, Blindboy Boatclub, Bob Vylan, Christy Moore, Damien Dempsey, Delivery, Dexys, English Teacher, Enter Shikari, Fontaines D.C., Gemma Dunleavy, Gurriers, Idles, Iona Zajac, Jelani Blackman and John Francis Flynn.

Joshua Idehen, Katy J Pearson, Kojaque, Lankum, Lisa O’Neill, Lowkey, Massive Attack, Martyn Ware, Paul Weller, Peter Perrett, Poor Creature, Primal Scream and Pulp.

Roisin El Cherif, Shirley Manson, Sleaford Mods, Soft Play, The Mary Wallopers, The Pogues, Thin Lizzy and Toddla T.

Instagram accounts belonging to other acts, including Mercury Prize nominees Yard Act, have commented on post featuring the statement, asking to be added.

Elsewhere, trip hop collective Massive Attack put out their own statement supporting Kneecap.

It comes as the Metropolitan Police is assessing the “kill MPs” video clip, along with the 2024 video in which a band member appeared to say “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”.

In a statement posted on Instagram, the group – made up of Liam Og O Hannaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh – addressed the families of murdered MPs Sir David Amess and Jo Cox, saying: “We never intended to cause you hurt.”

Kneecap said they “reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual”.

“Kneecap’s message has always been – and remains – one of love, inclusion, and hope,” the post added.