Music
13 Jun 25

Kneecap receive support after "private" letter tried to remove trio from Glastonbury Festival

Kneecap.

"What we're seeing is a coordinated attempt by 30 members of the musical elite... to silence three working-class artists from Belfast," read a statement from producer Toddla T

Kneecap have received public backing from anti-racism campaigners Love Music Hate Racism, after a "private and confidential" letter was sent to the bookers of Glastonbury Festival urging them to drop the trio from its 2025 lineup.

The letter, allegedly sent by a powerful music agent and signed by 30 industry professionals, was revealed by producer Toddla T, who worked with Kneecap on their 2024 debut album Fine Art. In a post on Instagram, he criticised the move as a covert attempt to silence the Belfast trio for their activism in relation to Gaza.

"What we're seeing is a coordinated attempt by 30 members of the musical elite, people with systemic influence, to silence three working-class artists from Belfast. And all of it was done behind closed doors," he wrote.

"If those individuals truly believe Kneecap shouldn’t perform, why not say so publicly?" he added.

Toddla T, Massive Attack, Bicep and over 100 artists have signed a public letter in support of the group.

In a statement, Love Music Hate Racism said it "stands with Kneecap against the attempts to silence them for speaking out for Gaza." The group called on supporters to join a demonstration outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 18, where Kneecap's Mo Chara faces a terror offence for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a concert last year.

On June 19, one day after Mo Chara is scheduled to appear in a London court, the rap trio will perform a sold-out show in Fairview Park in Dublin.