Kneecap’s Glastonbury set will not be broadcast live, BBC confirms

The BBC has confirmed that the performance of the rap trio Kneecap at the Glastonbury Festival will not be broadcast live. Instead, the state broadcaster has announced that their set, scheduled for 4 PM on Saturday on the West Holts stage, will be made available online via iPlayer starting Saturday evening. This decision comes amidst controversy surrounding one of the band members, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who is facing a terrorism charge for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a previous performance. The charges have drawn criticism from political figures, including UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has called for the band to be banned from the festival altogether. Ó hAnnaidh has denied the allegations against him, asserting that he did not engage in any unlawful activity during the incident in question.

The BBC has clarified that while they are the broadcast partner for Glastonbury, they do not always live stream every act, as their programming must adhere to editorial guidelines. A spokesperson for the BBC emphasized that their coverage of the festival remains extensive, featuring over 90 other performances. Although Kneecap’s set will not be streamed live, the BBC intends to offer an on-demand version of their performance on its digital platforms. This approach reflects the BBC's commitment to providing a diverse range of musical acts while navigating the complexities of editorial standards and public sentiment regarding the artists involved.