KNEECAP display surprise message at Sziget Festival following Hungary ban

KNEECAP delivered a written message in support of Palestine at the Sziget Festival last night, despite being banned from Hungary and forced to cancel their Sziget set.

In a post across their social media last night, the band told festivalgoers to keep an eye out for a message later that evening. They did not provide many details about the message aside from a time and location.

🚨 Hello to all those at Sziget festival, Hungary.🚨

We will have a message for you at 23:05 this evening.

👉The Buzz Stage.

— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) August 11, 2025

The message was to be displayed between sets at the Buzz Stage just before a performance by English pop artist Casey Lowery. Videos posted online showed a massive crowd gathering to view the message, with many attendees toting Irish and Palestinian flags.

"We wish we could be there with you at one of the best festivals in the world and the first European festival Kneecap ever played," the message read.

"We can’t because of one hate filled man. Viktor Orbán."

The mention of Orbán's name was met with boos and chants of "fuck Orbán" from the crowd.

"We have been convicted of zero crimes in any country ever," the message continued.

"But we will call out oppression. For calling out Israel's genocidal campaign Viktor has banned us from your beautiful country for 3 years. Israel is committing a genocide against the Palestinian people. Viktor Orbán and his government support it. Viktor Orbán and his government tried to shut down Pride in Budapest. They failed. We must stand together. Oppose Orbán. Oppose Israel. Oppose genocide."

The message concluded with "free Palestine, tiocfaidh ár lá" as the crowd chanted "free Palestine." Following the message, the music video for KNEECAP's latest single 'The Recap' was played on screen.

On July 24, a government spokesperson announced the band were prohibited from entering Hungary and performing their planned Sziget set over claims of hate speech. KNEECAP responded to the ban on social media, calling it "political distraction and a further attempt to silence those who call out genocide against the Palestinian people."

KNEECAP have faced similar criticism and gig cancellations over their outspoken activism for Palestine.

They were dropped from the lineup of the TRNSMT festival in Glasgow over safety concerns from local police, the host city of the Rock-en-Seine festival withdrew its funding for the event due to its booking of the band and most recently, their Vienna gig planned for September 1 was cancelled "due to acute safety concerns" according to the venue.

KNEECAP said the cancellations are part of "campaigns of attempted censorship" against artists who speak out about Gaza.