Is Kneecap's Glastonbury Set in Question?
The latest culture wars episode is an interesting one.
I’m watching with interest how Glastonbury play this whole Kneecap situation. I don’t envy them the double bind they find themselves in.
“The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
I’m sure there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that if the group did say this, then it was delivered with dark satirical humour. But the same could have been said about Killdren back in 2019, when they were dropped from the festival due to their song “Kill Tory Scum (Before They Kill You)”. The only difference was, they could sacrifice Killdren to keep the peace without too much trouble, whilst Kneecap are now far too big to drop without a severe backlash.
It will be seen as bowing to a targeted smear campaign, that the band have faced since speaking out about the genocide in Gaza at this year’s Coachella. Some have made the flimsiest of antisemitism accusations, but the band are clear on this point.
“We do not give a f*ck what religion anyone practices… We know there are massive numbers of Jewish people outraged by this genocide just as we are. What we care about is that governments of the countries we perform in are enabling some of the most horrific crimes of our lifetimes — and we will not stay silent.”
However there are always enormous pressures on a festival in order to keep their license, and I’ve no doubt that detractors will use this as a major stick to beat them with. Glastonbury have always walked a fine line between being a national institution and a bastion of counter cultural thought and action. This isn’t the first time they’ve found themselves embroiled in the culture wars, but it’s potentially their trickiest yet.
One thing is for sure, there’s much more at stake here than it might seem on the surface and it could prove to be a cultural tipping point.
Looks like they'll force it.
But I'd like to ask, is the British Army in question? I remember the pics of Corbyn used as targets at Soldiers shooting ranges.
“Britain hates this” Not so sure about that - I think if you look closer you’ll find their fan base is predominantly made up off the offspring of the neoliberal classes, their faux radicalism, riding the “anti-Zionist” train, typically from their safe European home is extremely popular with the “degree class” with questionable taste in “Irish rap music”.
I read they were more than happy to take benefit money from the UK’s neoliberal government (I suppose it gives the whole “working class” shtick a legit backstory) these three young radicals should have been out robbing banks, like the cosplaying anarchists they purport to be - robbing from the rich - giving to the poor etc.
I see a bright future for them - albeit momentarily bright - 5 minutes of fame, in a years time (realistically 6 months) their download will be found on centrist dads Spotify playlists. Politically they’ll have changed sweet fuck all - in Ireland or in Palestine.
Politics is where music and art go to die - if they’re the genuine article (I personally think their the wet dream of some coked up record exec in london) create something beautiful - not some anachronistic throwback to an era that you never experienced first hand. Chanting about Margaret Thatcher in 2025 to crowd of middleclass non binary students is completely irrelevant (both to them and their audience) - it doesn’t reflect the current UK political climate.
where are the tracks directed at Starmer and co?
I expect the bbc will be all over them ( they already are which is never a good sign) for “glasto” the spiritual home of professional managerial class culture.