Kneecap’s sold-out 2025 US headline tour has been scrapped due to “the close proximity” of Mo Chara’s terrorism court hearing.
At a hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on August 20, the case was adjourned until September 26, leaving the Irish hip-hop trio forced to pull the plug on their planned trek across the pond this October.
The band has vowed to make it up to their US fans with an “even bigger tour”.
A social media statement read: “To all our US-based fans, we have some bad news. 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 Fine Art group will still play their four sold-out shows in Canada in October.
They said: “Canadian shows are NOT affected and we will be playing our 4 sold out shows in Vancouver and Toronto.”
Kneecap – completed by Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí – concluded the message by teasing something “very special” is planned for their American fans.
They added: “We will be sharing something very special for US fans next week so that we can still link in with you all in October.
“It’s top secret for now but all will be revealed next week – stay tuned.
“And remember… ‘The revolution will be no re-run, brothers. The revolution will be live’.”
Chara (real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh), who is on unconditional bail, is facing a terror charge after “displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah” at their O2 Forum Kentish Town gig in London in November 2024.
Thanking their supporters for coming down to the court last week, Chara said: “We know this story is more than just about me. It’s more than Kneecap; this is a story about Palestine and us as a distraction from the real story.
“We know, unfortunately, this story will end up in the media today, while Israel commits genocide at the same time. So, everybody, continue to speak about Palestine, free Palestine. Thank you all for coming.”
Reacting to the charge in May, Kneecap said: “British establishment is focused on us.
“They profit from genocide, they use an ‘anti-terror law’ against us for displaying a flag thrown on stage. A charge not serious enough to even warrant their ‘crown court’, instead a court that doesn’t have a jury.”