Anti-Israel rap trio Kneecap has been booked to headline the 12,500-seat OVO Arena Wembley in September, despite one of its members currently facing terror charges.
The band’s frontman Mo Chara, real name Liam Ó hAnnaidh, was charged with displaying a flag in support of a proscribed organisation after footage emerged online allegedly showing him draped in a Hezbollah banner during a 2024 gig in London.
He is set to attend a preliminary hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 18. If convicted, he could face up to six months behind bars depending on the severity of the offence.
Yet the group continues to announce high-profile bookings.
The Wembley gig, set to be its largest headlining event outside of Ireland, is planned for September 18, with a pre-sale selling out on Wednesday.
General sale is set to begin on Friday, with the arena capable of holding up to 12,500 people. They join artists including Billy Idol, Marilyn Manson and Lynyrd Skynyrd in headlining the arena in the coming year.
A response from OVO Arena Wembley sent to a member of the public who complained about the show, and seen by the JC, read: "We are aware of a recent police charge involving a member of the band. Whilst we take any criminal charge seriously, we also acknowledge that no conviction has been made at this time and as such, the individual and the band remain legally entitled to perform.
"We have conducted a thorough review with the promoter, our internal security team, the Metropolitan Police and Brent Council. Having reviewed all potential risk factors, we are confident that all necessary measures will be in place and that the event can proceed safely and responsibly.
"While we appreciate that some members of the public may have concerns, we’d like to reassure everyone that the safety and comfort of our audience, staff and performers remain our top priority.
"Programming at OVO Arena Wembley is always varied, as are all other live performance venues, hosting a wide array of diverse artists, shows and performances.
"The views, opinions and creative expressions of these artists and performers are their own, and not shared by ASM Global, the venue or any of our brand partners."
Kneecap has hit headlines in recent months for its public anti-Israel demonstrations during concerts, most notably at the Coachella festival when the group projected the slogan “F*** Israel, free Palestine” above its set.
Since then, it has attracted a wave of criticism over its members views – including a social media post on the band’s official account showing one of the trio reading a book by late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.
However, the infamy has also propelled the group to greater commercial success, including high-profile appearances at Wide Awake Festival in London and Primavera in Barcelona.
Kneecap has also been confirmed for Glastonbury this year after the festival released its full line-up, resisting calls for the band to be dropped following the charge against Mo Chara. It is set to perform on the West Holds stage on the afternoon of Saturday June 28.
For their part, the band members have claimed Mo Chara – and Kneecap more widely – is the victim of a “smear campaign” orchestrated by “members of the establishment” to try and “silence” their anti-Israel advocacy. In response to the pending terror charge, the group said in a statement: "We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves."
