BBC sparks fury as it makes major Kneecap Glastonbury decision amid calls not to air performance: ‘I’ll be cancelling my licence fee!’
The BBC has confirmed it will make Irish rap group Kneecap’s Glastonbury performance available on iPlayer later today, following initial reports that the broadcaster would not show their set live.
In a statement, the BBC said: “We don’t always live stream every act from the main stages and look to make an on-demand version of Kneecap’s performance available on our digital platforms, alongside more than 90 other sets.”
The broadcaster emphasised that “whilst the BBC doesn’t ban artists, our plans ensure that our programming meets our editorial guidelines.”
The trio are scheduled to perform on the West Holts stage at 4pm, with a condensed version of their performance becoming available on BBC iPlayer later this evening.
The band responded to the BBC’s announcement on social media, writing: “The propaganda wing of the regime has just contacted us…. They WILL put our set from Glastonbury today on the I-player later this evening for your viewing pleasure.”
Kneecap warned fans planning to attend their performance that “the crowd expected today is far greater than West Holts capacity so you’ll need to be very early to catch us father….VERY EARLY.”
Festival organisers echoed this concern, stating: “Please have some other entertainment options in mind in case the field reaches capacity and we need to close it as part of our crowd planning measures.”
The BBC’s decision follows significant political pressure, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer calling for Glastonbury to remove Kneecap from its line-up, claiming they were “not appropriate”.
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The controversy centres on frontman Mo Chara, whose real name is Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who is currently on unconditional bail facing terror charges.
The rapper was charged under the Terrorism Act for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag and chanting “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah” during a concert at O2 Kentish Town Forum in November 2024.
Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Westminster Magistrates Court on June 18 to support the musician during his hearing. He is scheduled to appear in court again on August 20.
The BBC’s decision has sparked fierce criticism on social media, with many threatening to cancel their television licences.
One user wrote on X: “If the BBC televise Kneecap at Glastonbury I will bring forward cancelling my licence fee for a refund that I was going to do next year anyway as their bias is disgusting.”
Another commented: “Letting Kneecap perform on the BBC at Glastonbury is like giving a platform to apologists for terror when a band glorifies the IRA and promotes anti-British sentiment, airing them isn’t just music programming, it’s political endorsement.”
A third added: “Regrettably, BBC radio news listed Kneecap as a Glastonbury highlight for today. Can you imagine them doing likewise for a band on charge for supporting neo Nazi terrorists? No, of course you can’t. But our institutions don’t seem to view antisemitic terrorists as a problem.”
Another wrote: “Deeply concerned by reports the BBC may air Kneecap’s Glastonbury set. Public broadcasters must not platform individuals under investigation for extremist activity, paid for by licence fee payers.”
Meanwhile, other criticised their decision to not stream it live, with one person saying: “If the BBC can’t broadcast #Glastonbury2025 live, as the licence fee paying public expect, then it’s time to give the broadcasting rights to a provider who will. #Kneecap”