TORONTO, ON – A coalition of prominent Indigenous leaders in Canada is unequivocally calling for the immediate cancellation of all upcoming Canadian concerts by the Irish hip-hop group Kneecap. The leaders contend that the Belfast-based trio – comprised of Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (Mo Chara), Naoise Ó Cairealláin (Móglaí Bap), and JJ Ó Dochartaigh (DJ Próvaí) – has openly glorified terrorism and promoted antisemitism, saying their Canadian performances would represent a defilement of the land.
The controversy centers on Kneecap’s outspoken anti-Israeli stunts, which, according to the Indigenous leaders, has crossed a line into the promotion of designated terrorist organizations. “Kneecap has outwardly supported antisemitism, genocide, and the indiscriminate murder of civilians. Allowing them to play in Canada would be a stain on our country’s reputation,” states a letter signed by nine Indigenous leaders across Canada.
Concerns intensified following reports that Ó hAnnaidh faces charges under the British Terrorism Act. These charges stem from an incident last November where he promoted terrorism by waving the flag of Hezbollah, a Lebanese group designated as a terrorist organization by Canada, who routinely targets Israeli citizens and residential areas using missiles and rockets sponsored by Iran.
The Indigenous leaders’ letter specifically addresses Live Nation and the MRG Group, the concert promoter and venue manager respectively, for Kneecap’s four Canadian shows – two in Toronto at History and two in Vancouver at the Vogue Theatre. “By allowing Kneecap to perform on Indigenous lands, Live Nation and the MRG Group are not only endorsing rhetoric that promotes division, hate, and glorification of terror – they are violating the spirit and obligations of the Treaties of Peace and Friendship,” the letter asserts. These treaties, signed prior to 1779, established agreements between the British and the Mi’kmaq, Maliseet, and Passamaquoddy peoples.
This isn’t the first time Kneecap has faced scrutiny. Several of their international concerts have been canceled, and politicians have demanded further cancellations since the group’s appearance at California’s Coachella music festival in April. At Coachella, the band reportedly engaged in a “childish tirade,” and they have publicly compared Israel’s actions in Gaza to the British actions in Ireland during The Troubles.
Further compounding the controversy are video reports from a 2023 concert. One video shows a band member proclaiming, “Up Hamas, Up Hezbollah,” promoting the islamic terrorist groups responsible for tens of thousands of civilian deaths. Another purportedly depicts a band member stating, “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
Grand Chief Harvey Yesno, a signatory to the letter and former chief of Eabametoong First Nation and grand chief of Nishnawbe Aski Nation, emphasized the profound significance of Indigenous leaders speaking out. He highlighted a responsibility to assert their voices within Canada.
“We’re in a land of freedom to express yourself … so that’s allowed throughout the country. But the difference is, is when you’re inciting hate and violence and acknowledging who — Canada has put some of these organizations as terrorist organizations. That’s where we draw the line,” Yesno stated. He added, “So, our concern there is the defilement of the land, because we believe that, as the Indigenous people on these lands, that we have a responsibility to point out, hey, wait a minute, you can’t be doing that. You can’t be inciting violence here on our lands because the defilement of the land causes things to happen amongst the people.”
As of publication, Grand Chief Yesno confirmed that the group has yet to receive a response from the concert organizers. Kneecap could not be reached for comment, and Live Nation and MRG Group have not responded to requests for comment.
