Kneecap say ‘f*** Benjamin Netanyahu’ during Reading Festival headline set

Kneecap, the Irish hip-hop group from West Belfast, made headlines during their headline set at the Reading Festival on Sunday, August 31, 2026, by openly criticizing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Performing with a Palestinian flag draped over their DJ decks, the trio, comprising rappers Moglai Bap, Mo Chara, and DJ Provai, spoke directly to the audience, urging solidarity with Palestinians and condemning the ongoing conflict. DJ Provai, who had temporarily stepped away from the stage due to the birth of his newborn child, was replaced by an alternate DJ during the performance. During their set, Kneecap addressed the crowd with a message of political resistance, declaring, “It’s important to us that we use this platform for what we believe to be right.” They highlighted the plight of Palestinians, stating, “some people aren’t as f lucky right now, and that’s our brothers and sisters in Palestine.” The band emphasized their understanding of displacement and colonialism, drawing parallels between the current situation in Palestine and historical struggles faced by Irish communities. They urged the audience to reflect on their privilege and called for support for the Palestinian cause, exclaiming, “so f Benjamin Netanyahu, and free, free Palestine!” The performance also targeted British politics, with the group mocking the newly elected Prime Minister, Andy Burnham. They instructed the crowd to refer to Burnham as a “w***,” citing his opposition to a united Ireland. This moment underscored the band's broader political engagement, which has drawn both admiration and controversy. Kneecap’s activism is not new. Member Liam Og O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, previously faced legal challenges for allegedly displaying a flag supporting the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah at a concert in London in November 2024. The case was dismissed by Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring, who ruled the prosecution was “instituted unlawfully.” A subsequent appeal by the Crown Prosecution Service was rejected by two High Court judges in March 2026, effectively ending the legal action against the artist. Despite past controversies, Kneecap continued to engage with political themes during their Reading Festival appearance. Their set featured tracks from their 2024 album Fine Art and their latest release FENIAN, alongside older hits like 3cag (2018) and Get Your Brits Out (2019). The performance concluded with their 2025 track THE RECAP, which addresses the media scrutiny and police investigations they have faced for their pro-Palestine stance. The song, backed by a drum and bass arrangement by collaborator Mozey, left the crowd energized and dancing. Other notable performances on the final day of the festival included a secret set by singer Lola Young, who performed her hit Messy in a Vivienne Westwood bodysuit. Drum and bass duo Chase & Status also headlined, showcasing hits like Baddadan and All Goes Wrong. Meanwhile, London indie rock band Florence + The Machine brought the night to life with a performance featuring songs such as Everybody Scream, Shake It Out, and You Got The Love, supported by guitarist Mark Bowen of Idles. As the Reading Festival drew to a close, Kneecap’s bold political statements and energetic performance reaffirmed their role as one of the most provocative voices in contemporary music. Their actions continue to spark debate, reflecting the growing influence of artists in shaping public discourse around global issues.