Irish rap group Kneecap have cancelled all US dates on their upcoming tour after their fiery criticism of Israel and advocacy for Palestinian causes led to legal trouble and criticism.
“We have some bad news for all our fans in the US,” the trio said in a statement. “Due to the imminent arrival of our next court hearing in London on September 26th – as the British government continues its witch hunt – we will have to cancel all 15 US tour dates in October, starting with the start of our US tour. With every show sold out, this is news that we are sad to hear.”
The UK court hearing stems from allegations that Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, who goes by the stage name Mo chara, displayed a flag in support of the terror group Hezbollah in London last year. (Ó Hannaidh has denied the allegations and said the group does not support Hezbollah).
The group’s Canadian shows will continue as planned.
Kneecap’s US tour status had already been shaken after it split from booking agency (and Visa sponsor) Independent Artists Group in April following a Coachella performance that included intense criticism of the Israeli government and its attacks on Gaza.
The band also attracted the ire of local British police after a recent Glastonbury performance that included a similar advocacy of Palestine, which led to an investigation but no charges.
