Germany: Calls for Cancellation of Kneecap Concert
The Irish rappers are being accused of supporting terror organizations and spreading hatred against Israel.
In Oberhausen, Germany, calls have been raised to cancel a concert by the Northern Irish rap group Kneecap, scheduled for August 20th at the Turbinenhalle. Activists and social media users have accused the band of supporting terrorist organizations due to a performance in November 2024 where a band member wore Hezbollah's flag and shouted, "Free Palestine!
Up Hamas! Up Hezbollah!" Both groups aim to eradicate Israel and kill Jews globally. The local Oberhausen coalition "Es reicht! – Oberhausen solidarisch gegen Rechts" has publicly demanded the show be canceled, citing repeated support for Hamas and Hezbollah at Kneecap's concerts and the presence of anti-Semitic and fascist propaganda.
However, Kingstar Music, the concert promoters, have rejected the cancellation demand, stating they "clearly reject antisemitism as well as the support or glorification of terrorist organizations." They maintain they are taking the accusations seriously but are not planning to cancel the show just yet. The Turbinenhalle, which is only leasing the venue for the event, also supports the concert, stating there is no valid reason to cancel it.
The band only announced the Oberhausen date roughly a week in advance via social media, a practice standard in the industry when no advance promotion is requested. Despite the controversy, some fans are disappointed, having already purchased tickets for a show in Brussels under the assumption Kneecap would not perform in Germany at all.
Written by urgent.news from The Berlin Spectator's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
