Irish Rappers Kneecap Barred From Entering Hungary, To Miss Sziget Festival Appearance

Irish hip-hop group Kneecap has been officially banned from entering Hungary, meaning its August appearance at the popular Sziget festival in Budapest will not take place.

“@KneecapCEOL are officially banned from entering Hungary—for antisemitism and glorifying terror. When hate ignores the mail, we put it on a wall,” Tweeted Hungarian politician Zoltan Kovacs on July 24. A follow-up statement read that “Their planned performance posed a national security threat, and for this reason, the group has been formally banned from Hungary for three years. If they enter, expulsion will follow under international norms.”

Sziget Festival takes place Aug. 6-11, featuring Post Malone, Chappell Roan, Anyma, Charli xcx, Kid Cudi, Shawn Mendes and many others.

In response to the Hungary ban, Kneecap pulled no punches, stating, “The authoritarian government of Viktor Orban say we ‘pose a national security threat.’ Which is f–king outrageous coming from a man who welcomed Netanyahu, a wanted war criminal, like a hero just a few weeks ago.

“There is no legal basis for his actions, no member of Kneecap has ever been convicted of any crime in any country. We stand against all hate crimes and Kneecap champions love and solidarity as well as calling out injustices where we see it.”

Kneecap, a Belfast musical trio, has invited a firestorm of controversy from its satirical lyrics and symbolism associated with the Irish republican movement, which seeks to unite Northern Ireland, part of the United Kingdom, with the republic of Ireland. 

Further, the band has seen public criticism for its political statements including allegedly supporting Hamas and Hezbollah and welcoming the murder of law-makers.

The group’s Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs as Mo Chara, has been charged under the Terrorism Act with supporting a proscribed organization for allegedly waving a Hezbollah flag at a concert in London in November. The rapper is on unconditional bail before a further court hearing in August.

Despite the controversy, the group recently performed at Glastonbury festival in the United Kingdom, reportedly leading chants of “Free Palestine” and “Free Mo Chara.” 

The group in May was removed from TRNSMT festival in Glasgow, Scotland, due to safety concerns expressed by local law enforcement.

Kneecap has many European festival dates on the books, including appearances in Poland, Norway, France, along with headline dates at OVO Arena Wembley followed by a lengthy North American tour that kicks off at Rooftop at Pier 17 in New York.