Washington DC [US]: Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap has responded to widespread criticism following their controversial performance at Coachella 2025, where they displayed politically charged messages, including “F** Israel”* and “Free Palestine.” Their appearance on Coachella’s Sonora stage ignited heated discussions, with some calling for U.S. authorities to revoke the band’s work visas, as reported by Deadline.
Sharon Osbourne, television personality and wife of rocker Ozzy Osbourne, was among the most vocal critics. She condemned the group’s inclusion of what she described as “aggressive political statements” and emphasized:
“Music’s primary purpose is to unite people. It should not be a venue for promoting terrorist organisations or spreading hate.”
Osbourne went on to call for the revocation of Kneecap’s working visas, demanding that U.S. authorities take action in response to the band’s actions.
In a statement to BBC News Northern Ireland, the band defended their performance and its political messages:
“Statements aren’t aggressive—murdering 20,000 children is though.”
This remark appeared to reference the civilian casualties in Gaza during the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Following the performance, Kneecap also shared projections from their set on X (formerly Twitter), reiterating their stance:
“Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people. It is being enabled by the US government, who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes.”
Mixed Reactions and Security Concerns
Despite receiving praise from some supporters, Kneecap’s performance has also led to severe backlash, including multiple death threats. The band’s manager, Daniel Lambert, spoke about the threats in an interview with Irish radio:
“Some of the threats we’ve received have been too serious to even get into.”
Coachella 2025 Line-up
Coachella 2025 continues with top artists, including:
- Lady Gaga
- Green Day
- Post Malone
- Missy Elliott
- Charli XCX
- Megan Thee Stallion
- FKA Twigs
- Ty Dolla Sign
- Zedd
- Prodigy
- Jimmy Eat World
The Israel-Hamas Conflict
Kneecap’s performance comes amid ongoing global discussions and protests related to the Israel-Hamas war, which erupted after Hamas launched a major attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel’s military operations in Gaza have resulted in significant civilian casualties, contributing to the intense international debate over the conflict. This war has sparked divided opinions worldwide, fueling protests, performances, and political discourse on both sides of the issue.