{"id":92227,"date":"2025-08-25T18:44:08","date_gmt":"2025-08-25T18:44:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/92227\/"},"modified":"2025-08-25T18:44:08","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T18:44:08","slug":"kneecap-cancel-all-us-tour-dates-over-clash-with-court-hearing-in-london-kneecap","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/92227\/","title":{"rendered":"Kneecap cancel all US tour dates over clash with court hearing in London | Kneecap"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap<\/a> have cancelled their scheduled US tour dates in October, citing the proximity to a court hearing in London involving band member Liam \u00d3g \u00d3 hAnnaidh\u2019s alleged mid-performance display of a Hezbollah flag.<\/p>\n

\u00d3 hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was charged with a terrorism offence in the UK<\/a> in May after being accused of displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah during a concert in London last November.<\/p>\n

The 27-year-old from Belfast has denied the offence \u2013 and the group have said<\/a> that they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah and claim that the footage of the incident was taken out of context and was being \u201cexploited and weaponised\u201d.<\/p>\n

In a statement shared <\/a>on social media on Monday, the band announced the US tour cancellation, saying: \u201cDue to the proximity of our next court hearing in London to the first date of the tour\u201d they have to \u201ccancel all 15 tour dates in October\u201d.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith every show fully sold out, to tens of thousands of fans, this is news we are sad to deliver,\u201d they added. \u201cBut once we win our court case, which we will, we promise to embark on an even bigger tour to all you great heads.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u00d3 hAnnaidh\u2019s next court hearing is set for 26 September<\/a>, during which a chief magistrate is expected to decide whether he will stand trial. His legal team has argued that the case should be thrown out,<\/a> citing a technical error in how the charge was brought.<\/p>\n

\u00d3 hAnnaidh was greeted by hundreds of supporters<\/a> as he arrived at Westminster magistrates court for a hearing recently.<\/p>\n

When the charge was first announced earlier this year, Kneecap<\/a> described it as \u201cpolitical policing\u201d and a \u201ccarnival of distraction\u201d and vowed to \u201cvehemently defend ourselves\u201d.<\/p>\n

While their US tour dates have been cancelled, the band said on Monday that they had an upcoming surprise for US fans.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe will be sharing something very special for US fans next week so that we can still link with you all in October,\u201d it reads. \u201cIt\u2019s top secret for now, but all will be revealed next week.\u201d<\/p>\n

The group confirmed that their planned Canadian shows in Vancouver and Toronto will still proceed as planned.<\/p>\n

The Belfast-based group \u2013 known for their political performances and outspoken support for Palestine \u2013 made headlines<\/a> in June during their Glastonbury set, where they led chants saying \u201cfuck Keir Starmer,\u201d referring to the UK prime minister.<\/p>\n

In April, the rap trio also made headlines for displaying statements<\/a> against Israel\u2019s military campaign in Gaza at the Coachella festival.<\/p>\n