Kneecap US tour dates nonetheless scheduled as visas reportedly not legitimate following Coachella controversy

Kneecap are reportedly within the strategy of securing a brand new sponsor for renewed US visas forward of their upcoming October US tour.

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The visas held by the band are considered not legitimate, after they have been reportedly dropped by their former sponsor and reserving agent Unbiased Artist Group (IAG) earlier this week, per The Hollywood Reporter.

It comes following wider controversy surrounding their efficiency at Coachella 2025, which has generated mainstream consideration over the previous week.

The trio made headlines on Coachella’s weekend one, after the reside stream of their set was lower when they voiced their assist for a free Palestine, and likewise led the gang in a provocative anti-Margaret Thatcher chant. “Not solely was that lower,” they later stated, referring to the Thatcher chorus, “our messaging on the US-backed genocide in Gaza by some means by no means appeared on screens both.”

On the second weekend, the band supplied their very own livestream, with political commentator Hasan Piker broadcasting their set reside on Twitch. Slogans together with “Fuck Israel, Free Palestine”, “Israel is committing genocide towards the Palestinian individuals” and “it's being enabled by the US authorities who arm and fund Israel regardless of their struggle crimes” have been projected on the display screen behind them as they performed.

Following the efficiency, Coachella organisers reportedly stated they have been “blindsided” by the band’s pro-Palestinian messages and chants on the pageant. Shortly after that, Sharon Osbourne known as for a “revocation” of their work visa, claiming their efficiency “compromised” the pageant’s “ethical and religious integrity”. The band responded in disbelief, calling Osbourne’s assertion “fucking wild”.

The trio’s US performances are reportedly permitted beneath work visas granted to its members beneath sponsorship of authorised organisations, equivalent to IAG or different reserving brokers and trade firms.

Per PA, Kneecap’s visas, which at the moment are not legitimate on account of IAG ceasing to work with them, have been on account of expire over the summer time months between Coachella and the band’s subsequent US appearances.

Because the members of Kneecap are reportedly not at the moment within the US, and shouldn't have gigs scheduled there till the tour in October, the group must re-apply for an annual allow.

They're entitled to use for a brand new visa and are reportedly aiming to take action beneath a special sponsor forward of their upcoming tour within the US and Canada, which is in assist of their acclaimed 2024 debut studio album, ‘Positive Artwork’.

At present, not one of the tour dates have been impacted or cancelled, with all performances nonetheless scheduled. Yow will discover a full listing of tour dates right here and any remaining tickets here.

It does stay attainable that the group’s utility for brand new visas could also be rejected by US authorities forward of the reveals.

On Friday (April 25), the band issued an announcement addressing their efficiency and the next backlash, calling the controversy “a coordinated smear marketing campaign” towards their efforts in “exposing the continued genocide towards the Palestinian individuals”.

“For over a 12 months, we have now used our reveals to name out the British and Irish governments’ complicity in struggle crimes,” they continued. “The latest assaults towards us, largely emanating from the US, are based mostly on deliberate distortions and falsehoods,” they stated, including that they're “taking motion towards a number of of those malicious efforts”.

Earlier this week, the group shared messages of assist despatched by followers following the pageant. Amongst them is one from a retired British Royal Navy officer, which reads: “I like your music. Free Palestine. Fuck the haters”, whereas one other says: “As a Palestinian in exile I wish to thanks from the underside of my coronary heart for giving us a voice on the world stage.”

Kneecap’s long-standing assist of Palestine has included latest social media posts and high-profile TV appearances. Of their Cowl characteristic for NME final 12 months, they made their stance towards what they name Israel’s “occupation and genocide” of Gaza clear, and went on to assist increase almost £100,000 for a volunteer health club within the Aida Refugee Camp in Palestine.

Extra just lately, they hit out at Israel for breaking the Gaza ceasefire in a “slaughter” towards the “most susceptible individuals on earth”. It adopted the ‘Higher Manner To Reside’ artists slamming the Prime Minister of Eire, calling Micheál Martin a “lick-arse” and “scumbag” after his latest go to to the White Home to fulfill US President Donald Trump.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pZLsId29Ba8[/embed]

Again in January, when their movie was not noted of the Oscar nominations in January regardless of having been longlisted, the band responded by tweeting: “Fuck the Oscars. Free Palestine.”

Their response was consistent with their response to the information of a ceasefire in Gaza on January 16, the place they posted “we should not overlook what Israel has accomplished”.

In addition they posted just lately in response to articles written about their “aggressive” Coachella set saying “honesty isn’t aggressive, fucking bombs are.”

Final 12 months, the band shared their ’10 guidelines to reside by’, which included: “Be outspoken, depart your mark and arise to your individuals. Arise for Palestine, and arise for oppressed individuals around the globe.”

In step with this rule, in November, Bap raised over £30,000 for Gaza meals parcels by operating 10k a day on tour, the trio made headlines for refusing to take off their Palestine badges in an look on Eire’s Late Late Present, and organized a Gig for Gaza charity present alongside Primal Scream and Paul Weller.