Kneecap condemn “hate-filled” Hungarian PM in Sziget 2025 broadcast: “We must stand together”

Kneecap have hit out at the “hate filled” Hungarian Prime Minister in a video played at Sziget Festival 2025 in Budapest – watch below

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Last month, the country’s government announced that the Irish rap trio were “officially banned from entering Hungary” for three years for “anti-Semitism and glorifying terror”. They had been due to play at Sziget this year, but were deemed “a national security threat” and were forced to cancel.

Sziget took place over the weekend and on Monday (August 11), Kneecap posted on social media urgings fans to congregate at the Buzz Stage at 23:05. “We will have a message for you,” they teased.

When the time came, a sizeable crowd, many sporting Irish and Palestinian flags, watched a video message play over the big screen.

Hello to all those at Sziget festival, Hungary.

We will have a message for you at 23:05 this evening.

The Buzz Stage.

— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) August 11, 2025

“We wish we could be there with you at one of the best festivals in the world and the first European festival Kneecap ever played,” the message read. “We can’t because of one hate filled man. Viktor Orbán.”

The Prime Minister’s name was met with chants of “fuck Orbán” from the crowd.

“We have been convicted of zero crimes in any country ever,” the message continued. “But we will call out oppression. For calling out Israel’s genocidal campaign Viktor has banned us from your beautiful country for 3 years. Israel is committing a genocide against the Palestinian people. Viktor Orbán and his government support it. Viktor Orbán and his government tried to shut down Pride in Budapest. They failed. We must stand together. Oppose Orbán. Oppose Israel. Oppose genocide.”

“Free Palestine, tiocfaidh ár lá” the message concluded, with the crowd chanting “free Palestine.” The band’s video for ‘The Recap’ then played over the screens.

Watch here:

That’s how you convey a message. Fuck Orban #Sziget2025 #kneecap pic.twitter.com/slk18va7fU

— Lady Mihaela (@LadyMihaelaTarg) August 12, 2025

Kneecap initially described their ban as “fucking outrageous”, writing: “To the tens of thousands of fans who we were buzzing to see in person at Sziget, we’re sorry we won’t be with you. The authoritarian government of Viktor Orbán say we ‘pose a national security threat’. Which is fucking outrageous coming from a man who welcomed Netanyahu, a wanted war criminal, like a hero just a few weeks ago.”

A message for all who'd hoped to see us on stage at Sziget in 2 weeks pic.twitter.com/JKFuKIkAf4

— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) July 24, 2025

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A post shared by Sziget Festival (@szigetofficial)

It is not the only Kneecap show that has been cancelled recently – their show in Vienna has also been axed following political pressure from the country’s far-right Freedom Party. They have also been dropped from TRNSMT, Germany’s Hurricane Festival and Southside Festivals, and Cornwall’s Eden Project.

Kneecap have consistently said – including at festivals Coachella and Glastonbury – that Israel is committing a “genocide” in Gaza, and have denied accusations of anti-Semitism, claiming that those attacking the band “weaponize” the false accusation to “distract, confuse, and provide cover for genocide.”

Kneecap did play at Øya Festival last week and used their platform to hit out at the controversial investment group KKR over their ties to Israel. KKR owns Superstruct Entertainment, which owns and runs many festivals, including Øya, Field Day and Benicàssim.

“It’s a disgrace and a shame that KKR is behind all these festivals,” Mo Chara said. “No company investing in Israel while they commit war crimes should be involved in and taking part in music festivals.” They then led the crowd in a loud chant of “fuck KKR”, echoing the sentiments of protesters outside the festival.

Chara (real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh) allegedly shouted “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah” and displayed a Hezbollah flag on stage during a Kneecap gig in London. He has since appeared in court, but was granted unconditional bail in June. He is due to appear in court again on August 20.

Kneecap have further festivals coming up this summer, including Green Man 2025, and will open for Fontaines D.C. at their huge outdoor gig in Manchester this Friday (August 15).

The trio are scheduled to play a huge show at London’s Wembley Arena – their biggest England headline date yet – on September 18. A wider UK tour will take place this winter (find any remaining tickets here) following a run of North American dates in the autumn (buy tickets here).

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