Nadine Shah, Gurriers and Maverick Sabre are among the many artists and speakers planned to appear outside Kneecap‘s next court appearance.
Band member Mo Chara (real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh) is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 20 after he was charged with a terror offence in May. Kneecap have responded to the charge by denying the offence and calling it a “carnival of distraction”.
The rap trio were met with a huge crowd when they arrived for hAnnaidh’s first court appearance last week (June 18), with Paul Weller spotted amongst the supporters. Fans were heard singing Irish folk songs, waving Palestinian flags, and holding signs that read ‘Free Palestine, ‘Free Mo Chara’, and ‘Defend Kneecap: Drop The Charges’. hAnnaidh was released on unconditional bail until his next hearing.
Now, ahead of their next court date, Love Music Hate Racism have announced the first wave of speakers planned to appear outside. South Shields’ Nadine Shah has been revealed to appear, along with fellow Irishmen Gurriers and Maverick Sabre.
Ben Jamal, director of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, will also speak alongside Belfast politician Gerry Carroll MLA, British-Palestinian surgeon Ghassan Abu-Sitta and Love Music Hate Racism organiser Samira Ali.
More names are soon to be announced.
hAnnaidh is being charged over alleged footage showing him displaying a Hezbollah flag during a Kneecap show last November. The band have consistently denied supporting either Hamas or Hezbollah, and said that they do not incite or condone violence.
It follows a wave of controversy the band have experienced since their Coachella 2025 appearance in April, which saw the band’s livestream cut after they started an anti-Thatcher chant.
The group’s “Free Palestine” message was also confirmed to have been axed from the stream – and the statement reportedly left organisers “blindsided” due to its political nature.
After their Coachella appearance, Sharon Osbourne called for a “revocation” of their work visa, saying they “compromised” the festival’s “moral and spiritual integrity”. Politicians have also called for them to be removed from festivals after alleged comments from the band calling for the death of Conservative MPs.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer also told The Sun that the band shouldn’t play at their upcoming Glastonbury slot this week. He told the publication that “this is about the threats that shouldn’t be made, I won’t say too much because there’s a court case on, but I don’t think that’s appropriate.”
Though Glastonbury have confirmed the band will perform at the festival, Kneecap have responded to Starmer’s comments on social media. Sharing a screenshot of Starmer’s interview, they wrote: “You know what’s ‘not appropriate’ Keir?! Arming a fucking genocide… Fuck The Sun and solidarity with [Palestinian Action].”
