Fontaines D.C., Lankum, Massive Attack and more sign letter in support of KNEECAP

More than 40 artists have signed an open letter by KNEECAP's record label, Heavenly Recordings, in support of the Belfast trio.

Fontaines D.C., Lankum and Massive Attack are among those who have signed the document, which states that there has been "a clear, concerted attempt to censor and ultimately deplatform the group."

Damien Dempsey, Annie Mac, Lisa O'Neill, The Pogues, The Mary Wallopers are also among the signatories.

"As artists, we feel the need to register our opposition to any political repression of artistic freedom," reads the letter.

"In a democracy, no political figures or political parties should have the right to dictate who does and does not play at music festivals or gigs that will be enjoyed by thousands of people.

"The question of not agreeing with Kneecap's political views is irrelevant: it is in the key interests of every artist that all creative expression be protected in a society that values culture, and that this interference campaign is condemned and ridiculed."

The letter comes amid criticism received by the band in recent days following their Coachella performance last month, where they displayed messages such as "Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people" and "Fuck Israel, Free Palestine."

It was then reported that British counter-terrorism police were investigating footage from two separate KNEECAP gigs. One allegedly featured a band member shouting "Up Hamas, up Hezbollah," while the other video appeared to show a member stating: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP."

The UK counter-terrorism police confirmed they will investigate KNEECAP, as they "have determined there are grounds for further investigation into potential offences linked to both videos."

KNEECAP were dropped by several festivals, including Eden Project's Eden Sessions concerts in Cornwall, and British MPs questioned whether the trio's upcoming performance at Glastonbury should be cancelled.

After British Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch called for the band to be prosecuted, and Taoiseach Micheál Martin asked the rappers to "urgently clarify" their position, KNEECAP released a statement, denouncing a "smear campaign" against them, stating that they have never supported terrorist groups Hamas nor Hezbollah.

Several people have come out in support of the rappers. Their manager Daniel Lambert went on RTÉ's Prime Time on Tuesday night to defend the band, saying that they "have the absolute conviction that they are doing the right thing and they stand on the right side of history."

English trip hop collective Massive Attack also defended KNEECAP, releasing a statement to express their "solidarity with all artists with the moral courage to speak out against Israeli war crimes."

Now, more than 40 artists have rallied around KNEECAP by signing Heavenly Recordings' open letter, which denounces a "campaign of intimidation" against the band.

See the full list of signatories:

Annie Mac, Beoga, Bicep, Biig Piig, Blindboy Boatclub, Bob Vylan, Christy Moore, Damien Dempsey, Delivery, Dexys, English Teacher, Enter Shikari, Fontaines D.C., Gemma Dunleavy, Gurriers, Idles, Iona Zajac, Jelani Blackman, John Francis Flynn, Joshua Idehen, Katy J Pearson, Kojaque, Lankum, Lisa O’Neill, Lowkey, Massive Attack, Martyn Ware, Paul Weller, Peter Perrett, Poor Creature, Primal Scream, Pulp, Roisin El Cherif, Shirley Manson, Sleaford Mods, Soft Play, The Mary Wallopers, The Pogues, Thin Lizz, and Toddla T.

Read Heavenly Recordings' open letter:

 

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