CONTROVERSIAL rap group Kneecap has cancelled all of its upcoming tour dates – as a band member faces court.
The trio – from Belfast, Northern Ireland – took to social media on Monday to confirm it had scrapped all of its upcoming shows in the US.
Controversial rap group Kneecap has cancelled all of its upcoming tour dates – as a band member faces court[/caption]
The band said scheduling conflicts with member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh’s next court hearing in London is the reason for the US dates being cancelled[/caption]
Fans were out in support of Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh’s – who goes by the name Mo Chara – when he appeared in court last Wednesday[/caption]
In the statement, the band said this was because of scheduling conflicts with member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh’s next court hearing in London.
O hAnnaidh – who performs under the stage name Mo Chara – is accused of supporting a proscribed terror organisation.
The 27-year-old allegedly displayed a Hezbollah flag at a gig in London.
On Wednesday last week, he appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, where he was mobbed by fans, before being released on bail until September 26.
In the statement, Kneecap said: “To all our US based fans, we have some bad news.
“Due to the proximity of our next court hearing in London to the first date of the tour, as the British Government continues its witch-hunt, we will have to cancel all 15 US tour dates in October.
“With every show fully sold out, to tens of thousands of fans, this is news we are sad to deliver.
“But once we win our court case, which we will, we promise to embark on an even bigger tour to all you great heads.”
The statement ended with them guiding fans to where they can get their tickets refunded.
While the US dates have all been cancelled, two shows in Canada remain in place.
Last week, the court heard three hours of legal arguments, with the performer listening to proceedings through an Irish language interpreter.
O hAnnaidh was supported by his bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh.
Kneecap have courted controversy with their provocative lyrics and merchandise in the past.
The group, which was formed in 2017, displayed messages about the war in Gaza during their set at US music festival Coachella in April.
A criminal probe was also launched into comments made my the group during their performance at Glastonbury in June.
The investigation was later dropped after the Crown Prosecution Service chose to take no further action.
The band has courted controversy all year with its performances and political statements[/caption]