Love Music Hate Racism “stands with Kneecap” while Toddla T speaks out against “musical elite” secret letter to drop them from Glastonbury
Love Music Hate Racism have shared a statement saying that the charity “stands with Kneecap”, and Toddla T has spoken out against a secret letter that was reportedly written to try and have the group kicked off the Glastonbury 2025 line-up.
The statements come amid controversy surrounding the Irish rap trio – both for their Coachella set which “blindsided” festival organisers, and for resurfaced footage of 2024 gigs, which allegedly saw them display a flag in support of the proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah.
The latter saw Mo Chara charged by the Metropolitan Police with a terror offence, and numerous live shows cancelled. He is set to appear in court on June 18.
Kneecap have consistently denied supporting either Hamas or Hezbollah, and said that they do not incite or condone violence. They have also argued that the footage at the UK shows had been taken out of context, and described the legal action as a “carnival of distraction”. The band used their headline set at London’s Wide Awake festival last further to further echo their support for Palestine, and speak out against efforts to shut the band down ahead of their Glastonbury appearance.
Now, Love Music Hate Racism have joined the ranks of those supporting the group, and shared a statement online urging people to gather at Westminster for the court appearance and demand that the charges against Mo Chara be dropped.
“Love Music Hate Racism stands with Kneecap against the attempts to silence them for speaking out for Gaza,” the statement read. “Anyone trying to silence them, or get them pulled from shows, is on the wrong side of history.
“LMHR has always attempted to use the power of music to unite people against hate and division. We stand with Kneecap against those directing hate towards the movement for Palestine. We call on all to stand with Kneecap and defend Mo Chara on June 18 outside Westminster Magistrates Court in London.”
The campaign group was set up in 2002 in a bid to combat rising levels of Islamophobia, anti-migrant racism, and hostility towards refugees in the UK and Europe. Since forming, it has organised hundreds of events to promote the message, and teamed up with the likes of Kasabian, Hard-Fi, Babyshambles, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, Estelle, Basement Jaxx and more.
Last summer, both Kneecap and LMHR were among those who spoke out against the far-right riots that took place in Britain and were sparked following the fatal stabbing of three children at a Taylor Swift-inspired dance class in Southport.
Other support for Kneecap has come from songwriter, DJ and record producer Toddla T, who worked with the band producing their 2024 debut album ‘Fine Art’. In a recent post on Instagram, he called out what he described as a “private” letter from the “musical elite” in the industry, reportedly written to Glastonbury organisers and asking them to drop the band from the 2025 line-up.
“A ‘Private and Confidential’ letter was recently sent to the bookers of Glastonbury Festival, urging them to remove Kneecap from the line-up. It was headed by a very systemically powerful music agent and signed by 30 individuals from within the music industry,” he began, before suggesting the demands contradict Kneecap’s right to freedom of speech.
“What we’re seeing is a coordinated attempt by 30 members of the musical elite. People with systemic influence, to silence the voices of three working-class artists from Belfast. And all of it was done behind closed doors,” he added. “If those individuals truly believe Kneecap shouldn’t perform, why not say so publicly? Why wasn’t the letter open and transparent?”
He went on to highlight how he, his wife (broadcaster and DJ Annie Mac) and over 100 others supported a letter defending Kneecap, and signed their name publicly to show that they “stand by our views”.
“At the heart of this is not just a dispute over a festival slot… it’s about Palestine,” Toddla T added. “What this private letter represents to me is yet another example of how power structures, cultural, governmental, and media, continue to favour and shield the actions of the Israeli state.”
As the conflict continues to escalate, Israel continue to deny allegations of genocide and war crimes against the people of Palestine, in the wake of the October 7 attacks at the hand of Hamas.
The letter Toddla T refers to IS that put forward by Heavenly Recordings, supporting the right to freedom of expression for musicians and artists. It was made as direct response to the efforts from politicians to have Kneecap – who are signed to Heavenly – removed from festival line-ups this summer.
Others who signed included the likes of Tom Morello, Brian Eno, CMAT, Pulp, Fontaines D.C., IDLES, Massive Attack, Paul Weller, Primal Scream, Enter Shikari, English Teacher, The Pogues, Lankum, Sleaford Mods and Thin Lizzy.
As well as putting their name on the letter, Massive Attack also defended Kneecap by sharing a statement that read: “Kneecap are not the story. Gaza is the story… And the silence, acquiescence and support of those crimes against humanity by the elected British government is the real story.”
Despite pressure, both from politicians and in the alleged letter covertly put forward by 30 industry figures, the band remain on the Glastonbury line-up and will perform at the Worthy Farm festival on Saturday June 28.
Earlier this month, the BBC also shared a statement confirming that Kneecap’s slot – which will be held on the West Holts stage at 4pm – will still be broadcast as usual, although it may be edited to coincide with guidelines.
While there has been pressure from some MPs to have Kneecap dropped from their festival appearances this summer, there has also been mounting pressure from many artists and creatives for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to “end UK complicity” in Gaza.
The open letter, led by refugee charity Choose Love, was put forward to the PM last month and demands all UK arms sales to Israel be immediately suspended, immediate humanitarian access for experienced aid agencies, and for the government to commit to seeking a ceasefire for “the children of Gaza”.
Among the 300 who signed the letter included Dua Lipa, Primal Scream and Benedict Cumberbatch, Massive Attack, Paloma Faith, Annie Lennox, director Danny Boyle, Game Of Thrones star Lena Headey, Bridgerton’s Nicola Coughlan, Tilda Swinton and more.
Dua Lipa also spoke out in support of Gaza last year, when she condemned Israel’s intensified military operations in the Palestinian city of Rafa. Taking to Instagram Stories, she also wrote: “The whole world is mobilising to stop the Israeli genocide. Please show your solidarity with Gaza. #AllEyesOnRafah.”
Live events including Germany’s Hurricane Festival and Southside Festivals, Cornwall’s Eden Project, and Scotland’s TRNSMT have dropped Kneecap from their line-ups amid controversy. The trio did play at Wide Awake Festival in London recently, shortly after holding a warm-up show at the city’s 100 Club.
As well as Glasto, 2000trees have kept Kneecap on their set as 2025 headliners – promising fans that the appearance will be “monumental” – and Bilbao BBK Live recently added the group to the bill following them having their slot at TRNSMT axed.
The post Love Music Hate Racism “stands with Kneecap” while Toddla T speaks out against “musical elite” secret letter to drop them from Glastonbury appeared first on NME.
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