Kneecap’s Germany and Portsmouth shows cancelled as Metropolitan Police say there is “grounds for further investigation” 

Kneecap are facing show cancellations in Germany and Portsmouth due to their on-stage comments, and Metropolitan Police have said there is “grounds for further investigation”.

• READ MORE: Kneecap on the cover – giving peace, protest and partying a chance

The backlash against the Irish hip-hop trio comes after their two sets at Coachella 2025, which saw them share overtly political statements in support of Palestine. The appearance divided fans and “blindsided” Coachella organisers, as well as leading to them finding themselves the subject of attention from counter-terror police in the UK – who are assessing two videos from other Kneecap shows.

Last week the controversy around the group saw scheduled German appearances at both Hurricane Festival and Southside Festival pulled, and calls from MPs emerged to have them removed from the line-ups of TNSMT, Glastonbury and more.

After the Hurricane and Southside shows were axed, Kneecap announced three shows in Germany, set for Hamburg, Cologne and Berlin this summer. They marked their first headline shows in the country. However, as of Wednesday (April 30), these shows have been cancelled too (via Consequence).

The decision to cancel the Germany appearances is likely due to the controversy around the band and their recent Coachella sets. As highlighted by The Hollywood Reporter, the decision was presumably related to Germany’s strict hate speech laws – which also led to a Roger Waters show being cancelled in 2023. For instance, the pro-Palestinian slogan “From the river to the sea” is considered as anti-Israel hate speech in some German Courts and seen as a criminal offence.

Plymouth, we will be in your Pavilions on Friday July 4th.

Tickets are onsale Friday 2nd May at 11am.

Our show at Eden Sessions is cancelled. Ticket purchasers will be contacted directly and will be fully refunded. pic.twitter.com/AIgTPbMHbJ

— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) April 29, 2025

As well as the shows in Berlin, Cologne and Hamburg, live dates in the UK are being scrapped too, with a scheduled date at the Plymouth Pavilions on July 4 now being cancelled amid a police investigation.

The Plymouth date was shared earlier this week after Kneecap were dropped from the Eden Project line-up in Cornwall (also scheduled for July 4). The decision is most likely related to the ongoing police investigation into the band and their on-stage comments in 2024.

In one bit of footage being assessed by the police, one of the band members allegedly shouts “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah”. In another, the group allegedly called for the death of Conservative MPs.

The band have since denied supporting either Hamas or Hezbollah and have denied promoting violence against MPs.

“Let us be unequivocal: we do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah. We condemn all attacks on civilians, always. It is never okay. We know this more than anyone, given our nation’s history,” they said.

“We also reject any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual. Ever. An extract of footage, deliberately taken out of all context, is now being exploited and weaponised, as if it were a call to action.”

Now that the back-up Plymouth show has been cancelled too, the band have responded by announcing three more shows in the city, all taking place around the same time. These will be held at The Depo in Plymouth on July 2, 3 and 4. The band announced this in a new update last night, writing: “CANCEL ONE SHOW? HERE’S THREE MORE..”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by KNEECAP (@kneecap32)

As for the investigation, London’s Metropolitan Police have recently shared that they will continue to investigate the trio. This, a new statement outlined, was after their counter-terrorism department was informed of two videos from their concerts.

“On April 22, we were made aware of an online video believed to be from a music event in London in November 2024,” read a statement issued on May 1 (via Far Out). “Following this, we were made aware of a further video, believed to be from another music event in London in November 2023.

“Both videos were referred to the Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit for assessment by specialist officers, who have determined there are grounds for further investigation into potential offences linked to both videos.”

In response to Kneecap’s alleged comments about MPs while on stage, The Jo Cox Foundation – launched in recognition of the Labour MP Jo Cox who was murdered in 2016 – also shared a statement on X/Twitter condemning the band, writing that they had “clearly” crossed a line “from political expression to inciting violence”.

Later, the daughter of late Conservative MP David Amess, who was murdered in 2021, told the BBC she was “gobsmacked at the stupidity of somebody or a group of people being in the public eye and saying such dangerous, violent rhetoric”, adding that the band should make apologies to her “and every other person that has been offended by this”.

The footage that has emerged from a Kneecap concert clearly crosses the line from political expression to inciting violence.

It is completely unacceptable and we unequivocally condemn it. pic.twitter.com/f8Ruo2ykFe

— The Jo Cox Foundation (@JoCoxFoundation) April 28, 2025

Following Kneecap’s statement, 10 Downing Street responded, with the Prime Minister’s official spokesman calling it “half-hearted” and saying: “they should apologise.” They went on to say: “We completely reject in the strongest possible terms the comments that they’ve made, particularly in relation to MPs and intimidation as well as obviously the situation in the Middle East,” adding: “It’s right that the police are looking into these videos.”

On Wednesday (April 30), Kneecap‘s manager came out in the band’s defence, saying they “stand on the right side of history” with their pro-Palestine messaging. “Children are starving to death, and we’re spending six or seven days talking about Kneecap,” he said, adding: “We spent less than a day talking about 15 executed medics.”

Backing has also come from Massive Attack, who themselves have been vocal in their support for Palestine for decades and have boycotted performing in Israel since 1999. They issued a statement supporting Kneecap and urging the focus to remain on what they call a “genocide” against the Palestinian people.

Since then, 40 major musicians and artists, including Pulp, Fontaines D.C., IDLES, Massive Attack, Paul Weller, Primal Scream, Enter Shikari, English Teacher, The Pogues, Lankum, Toddla T, Sleaford Mods and Thin Lizzy, have also signed a letter from Heavenly Recordings supporting the right to freedom of expression for musicians and artists.

Earlier today (May 2) it was added that Tom Morello, Brian Eno, CMAT and more were among those who had added their name to the letter – bringing the total to over 100 artists.

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