Fans flocked to see Fontaines D.C perform at their biggest-ever gig but were reportedly shocked to be confronted by security over Palestinian flags and clothing.
One fan, of the 45,000-strong crowd, claimed he was asked to remove his Palestinian football top and ‘put it in the bin’ before entering London’s Finsbury Park.
Fontaines D.C have been vocal in their pro-Palestine stance, alongside their support acts from Saturday’s gig such as Amyl and the Sniffers and Kneecap.
Kneecap’s political statements led to the Prime Minister attempting to have them removed from the Glastonbury lineup and the arrest of Mo Chara.
For months, fans have been bringing flags and other red, black and green clothing to Fontaines D.C gigs to show their support for the Free Palestine movement.
However — in the wake of protest group Palestine Action being proscribed as a terrorist organisation by the government — security at the concert were reportedly confiscating these items.
‘I was on the way into the Fontaines D.C concert today in Finsbury Park and I was stopped three times by security saying this top was a political statement and that I was not allowed in,’ shared Velvetshaggy on TikTok.
He was wearing a Palestinian football top, with the country’s name written in Arabic on the front.
The gig-goer claimed that if he had been wearing an Irish or English football shirt, ‘they would have allowed it in’.
He continued: ‘At one point, they literally told me that I had to put it in the bin. I took my t-shirt off and was told “you have to put it in the bin or you’re not allowed in”.
‘Obviously, I didn’t do that. I said “I’m not gonna do that”. They were like “Do you know what it means?” They asked me to translate and I told them what it said.’
WIN four VIP tickets to TRNSMT Festival 2025
For the eighth year, 150,000 festival goers will descend on Glasgow Green from 11-13 July to see the liked of 50 Cent, Gracie Abrams and Biffy Clyro, and you could be there!
Metro has teamed up with Rockstar Energy presents TRNSMT Festival to offer four VIP tickets to one lucky winner.
For a chance to win this massive music prize, simply enter your details here.
You have until midnight on Sunday 6 July 2025 to enter using the form below. Entrants must be 18+. Good luck! T&Cs apply*.
Click here if form is not loading.
* Open to legal residents of Great Britain (excluding Northern Ireland) aged 18 or over. Promotion opens at 18:01 BST on 2 July 2025 and closes at 23:59 BST on 6 July 2025. The promotion is free to enter; however internet access is required. Entrant must visit https://metro.co.uk/2025/07/02/win-vip-tickets-see-50-cent-gracie-abrams-biffy-clyro-trnsmt-festival-2025-23539991/ and when prompted by the form, submit their name, email, telephone number, date of birth and postcode. Acceptance of the terms and conditions is necessary to enter the promotion. There will be one (1) winner. The winner will win four (4) VIP weekend tickets for TRNSMT Festival, running from 11th – 13th July 2025 at Glasgow Green, in Glasgow (“Prize”). Proof of age and photographic ID are required for entry for all guests (the guests of the winner must be at least 16 years old at the time of entry). The Prize, including entry and attendance at TRSNMT festival, is subject to and governed by the Promoter’s full ticket terms and conditions. 1 prize available. 1 entry per person. Full T&Cs apply, see here.
He claimed the guards sent messages back and forth before eventually granting him entry, with his shirt still on.
‘This is happening at a music festival that is known for being political,’ the music fan added. ‘We’ve got Kneecap and Fontaines D.C speaking today, and I [almost] wasn’t allowed in with a literal football jersey of Palestine.’
Fans pointed out that Fontaines D.C themselves sold a football jersey that featured a Palestinian flag with ‘free Palestine’ written in Irish, with proceeds going to Medical Aid in the country.
Other fans shared their experiences in the comments, with one woman saying she hid her Kneecap merchandise out of fear of confiscation.
‘I had an Irish balaclava, the same one made for dj provai, and I got told by a nice lady before I went through security that I couldn’t take it in so to put it somewhere,’ said thiccccmami. ‘I managed to smuggle it in my bra🥲 it’s literally Kneecap’s merch.’
‘My friend got told when they were searching her bag that they were specifically looking for Palestine flags over anything else,’ added 365.partygirlx.
‘They were confiscating Palestine flags!!!! And told me I couldn’t wear my “don’t attack Iran badge”!!! Insanity,’ wrote rosieee4.
However, it appears some people did get through security with their Palestinian clothing and flags.
One commenter, bodakgypsc, claimed to have ‘worked at the gig’ and said: ‘70% of people were wearing this exact shirt and loads of people had Palestine flags.’
‘There was so much Palestine stuff at the gig today,’ added harveyraoul. ‘Who did they think was performing?! Disgrace.’
Fontaines D.C also showed a ‘Free Palestine’ message on the screen and fans could be seen waving flags in the crowd on grainy livestreams.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
During the gig, ever-political Kneecap came out in front of a screen that read: ‘Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people.’
Taking aim at Sir Keir Starmer, they said: ‘You know what’s “not appropriate” Keir?! Arming a genocide… [sic]’.
Throughout the night, various chants of ‘Free, free Palestine’ broke out in the crowd, encouraged by the artists.
Also performing were Amyl and The Sniffers, who previously put out a statement defending Bob Vylan after their Glastonbury performance.
The group wrote: ‘The British media in a frenzy about Bob Vylan and Kneecap but artists all weekend at Glastonbury from pop to rock to rap to punk to DJs spoke up onstage and there were toned of flags on every streamed set.
‘Trying to make it look like just a couple of isolated incidents and a couple of “bad bands” so it appears the public isn’t as anti-genocide as it is, and trying to make it look like Bob and Kneecap are one-offs, instead of that the status quo has shifted majorly and that people are concerned and desperate for our governments to listen.’
Metro has reached out to Fontaines D.C and Festival Republic for comment.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.