Photo Credit: Kneecap.ie
Irish rap group Kneecap is facing swift fallout post-Coachella—its U.S. booking agency has parted ways with the group while two German music festivals have dropped them from the lineup. Here’s the latest.
Independent Artist Group (IAG) has confirmed it has parted ways with the group following their appearance at Coachella. Without IAG’s sponsorship, Kneecap’s U.S. work visas are no longer valid. That means the group cannot perform in the country for the foreseeable future—at least until they find a new sponsor. The fallout isn’t exclusive to the United States, either.
Two of Germany’s largest music festivals—Hurricane and Southside—have dropped Kneecap from their summer lineups. Both events are organized by FKP Scorpio and were expected to host the rap trio following their Coachella performance. But organizers announced their removal in a move that was applauded by advocacy groups who cited the band’s support for organizations classified as terrorist organizations in both the U.S. and Europe. Kneecap responded to this removal by announcing smaller headline shows in Berlin, Hamburg, and Cologne this September.
Meanwhile, U.K authorities have opened an inquiry into Kneecap’s public comments, combing through past performances on stage. The group previously apologized for a 2023 incident in which they told a crowd ‘Kill your local MP’—sparking inquiry into the group’s other comments on stage. Kneecap says they reject any suggestion they would seek to incite violence against any individual and that the footage was taken out of context. The group has also further denied any support for Hamas or Hezbollah.
Kneecap now seeks new representation for touring in the United States and has reconfigured its touring plans across Europe due to the cancellations. The group is supposed to tour across the United States starting in October, so it will be interesting to see if they find a new work visa sponsor. The situation underscores the heightened sensitivities and real-world consequences facing artists who use major platforms like the Coachella music festival to address contentious global issues on stage.
Live Concert Industry, Music Industry News, Pop Culture, Scandals, Social Issues
This post was originally authored and published by Ashley King Digital Music News via RSS Feed. Join today to get your news feed on Nationwide Report®.
