Kneecap band dropped by booking agency after pro-Palestine stance
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Rap band Kneecap parts ways with its US booking agency after Coachella backlash over its Gaza solidarity stance, raising doubts about their visa status and upcoming US tour amid Trump’s crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism.
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During their second Coachella performance on April 18, Kneecap led the crowd with chants of “free, free Palestine” and displayed messages of solidarity on stage screens. (@KNEECAPCEOL /X)
Irish band Kneecap, known for its pro-Palestine stance, has parted ways with its US booking agency, Independent Artist Group (IAG), The Hollywood Reporter revealed, citing sources.
This came shortly after the Irish group defended their performance at Coachella, rejecting accusations of aggression following pro-Palestine statements made during their set. The Belfast-based trio, known for their outspoken activism, responded firmly after being criticized by US conservatives and television personality Sharon Osbourne.
IAG, which represents major artists like Billy Joel and Metallica, confirmed it no longer works with Kneecap but declined to provide further details, as per the report. The decision came between the first and second weekends of the Coachella music festival.
Kneecap stands strong amid Coachella backlash over Palestine
After their first Coachella set, Kneecap said the festival censored their pro-Palestine messages from the official livestream.
During their second Coachella performance on April 18, Kneecap led the crowd with chants of “free, free Palestine” and displayed messages of solidarity on stage screens. These included, “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,” and “F*** Israel. Free Palestine.”
Irish band #Kneecap used their #Coachella performance to deliver a fiery political message against "Israel's" war on #Gaza.
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) April 21, 2025
On the stage, they accused "Israel" of committing genocide against the Palestinian people and called out the #US government for enabling war crimes by… pic.twitter.com/zsBPBzZk8X
“The Palestinians have nowhere to go. It’s their fing home and they’re bombing them from the skies. If you’re not calling it a genocide, what the f*** are you calling it?”
Following the performance, Kneecap faced backlash from US mainstream media and political figures. Sharon Osbourne accused the group of promoting “aggressive political statements” and labeled their message as hate speech, threatening to revoke their US work visas. Fox News commentators went further, drawing offensive historical comparisons to Nazi Germany.
Mo chara speaking to thousands of Americans at coachella.
— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) April 19, 2025
The young people of America don't support genocide, get out on the streets and show this to that cunt Trump. 🇵🇸 pic.twitter.com/fExyAn7GA6
US visa status uncertain as Kneecap seeks new agency
With their departure from IAG, the Kneecap band no longer has a US agency to sponsor their work visas, putting their planned US tour, set to begin in October, at risk, as per the report. Outside the US, Kneecap remains represented by Primary Talent International and has European festival appearances scheduled for the summer, including at Primavera Sound in Spain and Glastonbury in England.
US booking agencies typically act as visa sponsors for international acts, and when that relationship ends, so does the sponsorship. Kneecap will need a new agency to maintain their ability to perform in the US legally.
In response to growing criticism, Kneecap’s Mo Chara told Rolling Stone on Wednesday that their message targeted the Israeli government, not Jewish individuals. The band later issued a statement on Instagram, saying they were being targeted by a smear campaign using false accusations of 'antisemitism'.
KNEECAP STATEMENT:
— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) April 25, 2025
Since our statements at Coachella — exposing the ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people — we have faced a coordinated smear campaign.
For over a year, we have used our shows to call out the British and Irish governments' complicity in war crimes.… pic.twitter.com/mBojb5QBOP
“We do not give a f*ck what religion anyone practices,” the band wrote. “We know there are massive numbers of Jewish people outraged by this genocide just as we are. What we care about is that governments of the countries we perform in are enabling some of the most horrific crimes of our lifetimes – and we will not stay silent.”
Amongst the hundreds of violent Zionist threats there's thousands of these ❤️🇵🇸❤️ pic.twitter.com/a7KfgZzfNW
— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) April 22, 2025
In a similar vein, the band’s manager, Daniel Lambert, revealed that Kneecap has received death threats since the performance, describing them as “too severe to get into.”
Despite the threats, the group has also been receiving a wave of support from fans worldwide, which they have been sharing on social media.
Read more: Cannes to honor martyred Gaza photojournalist in documentary screening
