Kneecap have cancelled a sold-out, 15-date tour of the United States, citing the shows’ close timing to band member Mo Chara’s next court appearance on a terror charge.
Four shows in Canada – two in Toronto and two in Vancouver – are still scheduled to go ahead during what would have been the run of US shows, however, while all shows in Europe through September, November and December are also undisrupted.
Sharing the news of the tour cancellation, the band said in a statement: “Due to the close proximity of our next court hearing in London on September 26 – as the British government continues its witch-hunt – with the start of the US tour, we will have to cancel all 15 US tour dates in October. With every show fully sold out this is news we are sad to deliver. But once we win our court case, which we will, we promise to embark on an even bigger tour to all you great heads.”
The band went on to promise “something very special for US fans next week”, and concluded their statement with a quote from Gil Scott-Heron: “The revolution will be no re-run, brothers. The revolution will be live.”
The band have continued to speak out in solidarity with the Palestinian cause as Mo Chara awaits his September 25 court date on a charge related to his alleged display of a Hezbollah flag at a 2024 concert. The band have continually said they do not support Hezbollah or Hamas.) Chara was granted unconditional bail at a court appearance last month.
Last month, the band were forced to cancel their appearance at Budapest’s Sziget Festival after being banned from entering Hungary for three years.
