Kneecap Removed From TRNSMT Amid Safety Concerns, Proceeds To Sell Out Glasgow Show

Irish rappers Kneecap said they were removed from TRNSMT festival in Glasgow, Scotland, due to safety concerns expressed by local law enforcement.

The hip-hop trio took to social media to clarify previous reports that the group had dropped out of TRNSMT and posted a statement from festival organizers about why Kneecap was axed from the event taking place July 11-13.

“Due to concerns expressed by the Police about safety at the event, Kneecap can no longer perform at TRNSMT,” the group posted on Instagram.

Concerns from local officials stem from the trio’s opposition to the attacks against Palestine and an incident involving Kneecap member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who goes by the stage name Mo Chara. The 27-year-old artist was charged with a terror offense by London authorities, accusing him of displaying a flag in support of the Islamic militant group Hezbollah during a concert at the O2 Forum.

The group denied the offense on social media and wrote, “This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction. We are not the story. Genocide is.”

A Glasgow police spokesperson told local media that any lineup decisions fall on TRNSMT organizers, and “there was no prior consultation with Police Scotland before acts were booked.”

“Officers have highlighted the potential reaction of such a large audience to this band would require a significant policing operation in order to support the delivery of a safe event,” the spokesperson added. “We have also passed on information from the public around safety concerns to allow organizers to make an informed decision on the running of the festival.”

Kneecap apologized “to the thousands of people who bought tickets, flights and hotels” to see their performance and said that the decision to remove them from TRNSMT was out of their hands. “Glasgow has always been a huge city for us. We’ve played there many many times, with no issues – ever. Make of that what you will.”

The group made it up to Glasgow fans by announcing a gig at O2 Academy on July 8. The presale sold out in 80 seconds and set a new record, according to Kneecap. The general onsale begins Saturday at 10 a.m. local time.

Kneecap remains on the bill to headline the second of four nights at the indie festival 2000trees in Gloucestershire, England. That event is scheduled for July 9-12.

“After loads of speculation and numerous requests from the press of late, we are happy to confirm that YES! [Kneecap] are still headlining the Thursday at 2000trees this July,” the festival wrote on Instagram.