Kate Nash calls out UK government for ‘silencing Irish musicians’

Kate Nash expressed her interest in collaborating with rap group Kneecap while criticising the UK government for ‘silencing Irish musicians.’

It comes after the group – made up of Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin, and JJ Ó Dochartaigh- were at the centre of controversy once again when it was announced the BBC would not broadcast their Glastonbury set live.

Kneecap is known for their provocative lyrics as well as staunch activism when it comes to Palestine, and their association with Irish republicanism.

Speaking after her own sweary Glastonbury set – in which she took swipes at Sir Rod Stewart, JK Rowling, and Denise Welch, of all people – the Foundations hitmaker expressed her admiration for Kneecap and their advocacy.

‘I love Kneecap. I’d love to collaborate. I love collaboration, actually,’ she told PA.

‘I really, really think collaboration is such an amazing and important part of being an artist, because you just learn every time you collaborate with someone different.

‘So I just did a duet with Sprints, because they covered Foundations, and that was really fun.’

She continued: ‘Kneecap would be amazing to collaborate with. My mum’s from Dublin and I think that the way they use their political platform is really important.’

Nash went on to say there is something ‘significant’ about ‘the UK government trying to silence Irish musicians.’

‘The UK has a history of doing that and I don’t think English people really understand the history at all.’

She said there is an opportunity to educate people about English and Irish history, and being half Irish, Nash would be keen to see this happen.

Kneecap made pro-Palestine statements at Coachella in April this year, causing critics like Sharon Osbourne to slam their set for ‘promoting terrorist organisations or spreading hate’.

Soon after, resurfaced footage of a 2024 Kneecap gig in London saw band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh charged with a terror offence for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah. 

Though the musician was released on bail, the band has had various performances cancelled, including TRNSMT festival in Glasgow, Hurricane and Southside festivals in Germany, and the Eden Project in Cornwall.

Their Glastonbury set on Saturday did go ahead, but the BBC did not broadcast the event live, instead, a cafe owner from Wales took to social media so million could tune in.

Kneecap’s set was later added to BBC iPlayer to watch on catch-up, while the broadcaster announced Bob Vylan’s set would not be made available after the group allegedly led chants of ‘free, free Palestine’ and ‘death to the IDF (Israel Defence Force)’ during their time onstage.

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