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Avon and Somerset Police have announced that they will not be taking further action against Irish rap group Kneecap following their Glastonbury performance. The group had come under police scrutiny after comments made on stage led to a criminal investigation. Authorities had appointed a senior detective to review whether anything said during the performance could amount to a criminal offence.
Following a review of footage and legal consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), police concluded there was "insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction." As a result, the case has been closed and Kneecap was officially informed of the decision on Friday, July 18.
Kneecap had faced mounting controversy for their pro-Palestinian activism leading up to the festival. Public criticism included remarks from TV personality Sharon Osbourne, who urged US officials to revoke the group’s visas after they displayed pro-Palestinian messages at Coachella earlier this year. UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also weighed in before Glastonbury, saying Kneecap’s inclusion in the lineup was “inappropriate.”
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Additionally, one of the group’s members, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, is currently facing a separate terror-related charge linked to the alleged display of a Hezbollah flag during a previous gig. He has pleaded not guilty.
Despite the media storm and ongoing legal issues, Kneecap did perform at Glastonbury though the BBC chose not to livestream their set.
While the police have concluded their investigation into Kneecap’s Glastonbury performance, a separate probe continues into comments made during Bob Vylan’s set at the same festival.
The English punk-rap duo stirred major controversy when they led the Glastonbury crowd in chants of “death, death to the IDF,” referring to the Israel Defense Forces. The moment was broadcast live by the BBC, triggering immediate backlash. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy publicly condemned the broadcast, calling the content “appalling and unacceptable.” The BBC later issued an apology for failing to cut the feed in time.
Police have confirmed that they recorded both Kneecap’s and Bob Vylan’s sets as “public order incidents.” However, unlike Kneecap, the investigation into Bob Vylan is still ongoing. Authorities have not disclosed exactly which parts of the performance are under review or if any potential charges are being considered.
Bob Vylan’s comments added to the broader debate surrounding free speech and protest within music performances. Their set became one of the most talked-about moments of the festival, drawing divided reactions from both fans and critics.
Despite the controversy, no formal charges have been filed against Bob Vylan so far. Their performance has reignited conversations about the boundaries of political expression in the arts, particularly when it involves international conflicts such as the Israel-Palestine issue.
As of now, Avon and Somerset Police say inquiries into Bob Vylan’s remarks are ongoing, and no final decision has been made. Both artists’ performances have raised complex questions about where activism, protest, and public safety intersect on live stages.
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