BBC issue statement on whether or not they’ll broadcast Kneecap’s Glastonbury performance
The BBC has spoken out regarding Kneecap’s upcoming set at Glastonbury 2025, and shared whether or not it will broadcast their set.
The Irish hip-hop trio are set to perform at this year’s edition of the Worthy Farm festival, which will be held in Somerset between June 25 and 29. Their set is scheduled for the West Holts stage on the Saturday and will take place at 4pm.
Recently, organisers confirmed that the band will remain on the line-up despite pressures from MPs, and following a police investigation into the band after they both allegedly displayed a Hezbollah flag at a show in last November and made controversial comments about members of parliament while on stage. The incident in November recently led to member Mo Chara being charged with a terror offence and set to appear in court later this month.
Now, it has been shared that BBC will continue its planned coverage of the band’s set at West Holts.
Each year, over 100 sets at the festival are broadcast on television, radio, iPlayer and BBC Sounds. Coverage comes from West Holts stage, as well as the main Pyramid Stage, the Other Stage, the Park Stage and more.
An organiser has confirmed that all of the planned broadcasts from the festival – including the highly anticipated Kneecap set – will go ahead as scheduled, although they all must adhere to its editorial guidelines.
These guidelines prohibit “unjustifiably offensive language”, and also demand that it showcases a range of opinions to avoid the impression that it is endorsing political campaigns. The delay between the live set and the broadcast will give the BBC the opportunity to edit out strong language and controversial remarks before it goes on iPlayer – it is also likely that there will be warnings around the set when it gets broadcast.
“As the broadcast partner, the BBC will be bringing audiences extensive music coverage from Glastonbury, with artists booked by the festival organisers,” said a spokesperson (via The i Paper). “Whilst the BBC doesn’t ban artists, our plans will ensure that our programming will meet our editorial guidelines. Decisions about our broadcast output will be made in the lead-up to the festival.”
The Glasto appearance is a part of the band’s already-packed schedule for this year. This summer they will play a number of huge shows with fellow Irish band Fontaines D.C., including a stop at the Boucher Road Playing Fields in Belfast.
The two are also set to appear together at London’s Finsbury Park this summer, before then playing a huge outdoor show together at Manchester’s Wythenshawe Park.
Another big show coming up for Kneecap is an appearance at 2000Trees festival, which will take place at Upcote Farm in Cheltenham between July 9-12. That slot will see them co-headline the festival alongside PVRIS on Thursday, July 10. Earlier this week, they announced a headline show at Wembley Arena too – marking their biggest show in England yet.
Kneecap headlined Wide Awake Festival in London last month, shortly after a warm-up show at the 100 Club that saw Mo Chara perform with tape over his mouth, making a nod to the legal action taken against him.
The band have denied supporting either Hamas or Hezbollah, and stated that they would not incite violence against any individuals. They have also argued that the footage had been taken out of context. The controversy around them has led to numerous live shows being cancelled.
Yesterday (June 3), the full line-up, stage times and stage splits were confirmed for Glasto 2025, with headliners on the Pyramid Stage being Neil Young, The 1975 and Olivia Rodrigo, and Loyle Carner, Charli XCX and The Prodigy on the Other Stage. Rod Stewart will be taking on the coveted Legend Slot on the Pyramid Stage on Sunday afternoon.
Other huge names on the bill include Biffy Clyro, The Maccabees, Lucy Dacus, Father John Misty, RAYE, Wolf Alice, The Prodigy, Doechii, St. Vincent, Deftones, The Libertines, Wet Leg, Weezer, Nile Rodgers & Chic, Future Islands, JADE, TV On The Radio, Self Esteem, CMAT, Blossoms and Turnstile.
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Liberty Dunworth
NME
