Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has called on organisers of the TRNSMT music festival to drop Irish-language rap group Kneecap, following resurfaced footage that appeared to show a band member endorsing violence against elected officials.
The Belfast-based trio, known for their provocative blend of Irish republican themes and hip-hop, are at the centre of a growing political storm, with critics accusing them of glamorising political violence. Swinney, speaking at a trade union conference in Dundee, said the group had “crossed a line” and that their appearance at Scotland’s largest music festival would be “completely and utterly unacceptable.”
Political Outcry Over “Kill Your Local MP” Footage
The controversy hinges on video clips from a 2023 concert, in which a band member allegedly declared: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
That footage — which Kneecap claim was “taken out of context” — has since drawn condemnation across the political spectrum. The Scottish Conservatives were first to call for the band to be removed from the TRNSMT lineup. Now, with Scotland’s First Minister weighing in, pressure on organiser DF Concerts has sharply escalated.
“It would be unacceptable to perform on such a stage,” Swinney told BBC Scotland News. “Their comments are so beyond the pale.”
Apologies Offered — But Tensions Persist
Kneecap, for their part, have issued a formal apology to the families of murdered MPs Sir David Amess and Jo Cox. In a statement on social media, they denied inciting violence, writing:
“To the Amess and Cox families, we send our heartfelt apologies. We never intended to cause you hurt.”
The group said the footage was being “exploited and weaponised” as part of a “co-ordinated smear campaign,” insisting they reject “any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual. Ever.”
Still, the controversy has taken on new dimensions following the emergence of additional footage from a 2023 concert that appeared to show a member shouting “Up Hamas, up Hezbollah” — a statement now being reviewed by counter-terrorism police. No charges have been filed against any band members.
Broader Implications for Political Speech and Artistic Expression
The dispute has opened up a wider debate in Scotland over freedom of expression, censorship, and political accountability for artists.
Scottish Conservative MSP Stephen Kerr said he supported free speech, but that the comments in question had potentially breached criminal thresholds.
“This is not edgy political commentary,” Kerr said. “It’s incitement dressed as performance.”
Crossbench peer Lord Walney, a former UK government adviser on political extremism, echoed the call for cancellation, telling BBC Radio Scotland that Kneecap’s rhetoric was “unconscionable.” He urged Glasgow City Council, Holyrood, or Westminster to intervene if DF Concerts refused to act.
The concert is scheduled for 11–13 July — just one day before the anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne, a date marked by pro-Unionist parades in Glasgow that are often a flashpoint for sectarian tensions.
Safety, Policing and Political Calculations
Police Scotland confirmed that it had been in ongoing talks with TRNSMT organisers to “maximise the safety of everyone attending.”
Though there is no suggestion of a specific threat associated with Kneecap’s performance, the combination of their controversial image, the timing, and Glasgow’s complex sectarian history has made their planned appearance deeply contentious.
For First Minister Swinney — who has just taken office amid attempts to stabilise the Scottish National Party after a bruising period of internal strife — the issue poses political risk. While Kneecap’s politics are clearly Irish republican, their appeal has drawn a fringe of pro-independence supporters in Scotland, particularly among younger, more radical activists.
Swinney’s swift intervention may signal an attempt to draw a clear line between SNP leadership and any perception of tolerance for political extremism — especially at a moment when Scottish Labour is attempting to reclaim centre ground and Reform UK is disrupting the nationalist vote in Scotland.
The Future of Kneecap’s TRNSMT Appearance
As of Tuesday afternoon, DF Concerts had not publicly responded to the First Minister’s remarks or issued any decision regarding Kneecap’s participation.
The group remains listed on the TRNSMT website, scheduled to perform alongside acts like Garbage, Calvin Harris, and Liam Gallagher. Organisers are likely facing pressure from multiple directions — including public safety concerns, contractual obligations, and accusations of censorship should they act.
But with both Scotland’s First Minister and UK political figures now urging removal, it may be only a matter of time before a decision is forced.
