Glastonbury has released its official full lineup for 2025, confirming that Irish rap trio Kneecap will remain on the programme despite one of its members facing a terror charge for displaying a Hezbollah flag at a London gig.
The band, comprised of three artists who go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí, is scheduled to perform on the West Holds stage at Glastonbury on Saturday the 28th, seemingly in defiance of calls that they be pulled from the lineup over alleged support for proscribed terrorist organisations.
The group, from Belfast, has been under investigation by counter-terror police after footage emerged last month of one member allegedly saying “the only good Tory is a dead Tory” and another “up Hamas, up Hezbollah”.
The latter is alleged to be Mo Chara, real name Liam Ó hAnnaidh, who is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 18 June charged with a terror offence after allegedly displaying the Hezbollah flag at a gig last year.
(From left) Móglaí Bap, DJ Próvaí, and Mo Chara of Kneecap. Mo Chara has denied committing a terrorist offence after allegedly waving the Hezbollah flag during a gig in London. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)Getty Images
It was announced last week that Kneecap had been removed from the TRNSMT music festival in Glasgow, set for mid-July, over police concerns about safety, but the group’s performance at London’s Wide Awake Festival went ahead.
Kneecap have previously claimed that they are the victims of a “smear campaign” orchestrated by “members of the establishment” to try and “silence” their anti-Israel advocacy. In response to the pending terror charge, the group said in a statement: "We deny this 'offence' and will vehemently defend ourselves."
Alongside its musical performances, Glastonbury will also feature a variety of Q&As, debates and panel discussions which, this year, will include at least three events at the Speakers Forum on Gaza and pro- Palestine activism.
Prominent anti-Israel pundit Owen Jones will lead a talk on Friday the 27th called ‘Fighting Injustice at Home and Genocide Abroad’, while the description for another event on Glastonbury’s website refers to a “genocide” in Gaza.
Avowed Palestine supporters Clive Lewis MP and energy magnate Dale Vince will participate in separate events relating to the “climate crisis”.
The festival will also spotlight a number of Hollywood actors during Q&As at the Pilton Palais cinema, including Jewish actor Andrew Garfield in discussion about his film We Live in Time.
When is Glastonbury 2025?
Glastonbury is set to begin with an opening ceremony on the evening of Wednesday 25 June.
Performances will continue until 11.15pm on Sunday 29 June.
There will be nine main stages, including the iconic Pyramid Stage, across the sprawling site in Pilton, Somerset.
Who is headlining Glastonbury 2025?
Musical headliners for the festival include The 1975, Neil Young and the Chrome Hearts, Charli XCX, and Olivia Rodrigo.
Also among the main musical performers are Alanis Morissette, who will take to the Pyramid Stage on Friday 27 June at 6.15pm; Noah Kahan, appearing on the Pyramid Stage on Sunday 29 June at 7.45pm; and Gracie Abrams, appearing on the Other Stage on Friday 27 June at 6.45pm.
How can I watch Glastonbury 2025?
This year’s hosts for the festival will be Clara Amfo, Huw Stephens, Jack Saunders, Jamz Supernova, Jo Whiley and Lauren Laverne, who will guide viewers through the live broadcasts from BBC One and BBC Two.
Viewers at home can follow the festival on BBC television, radio, iPlayer and BBC Sounds.
The Glastonbury Highlights Channel will also be available from late evening on Friday 27 June, where viewers can watch the biggest performances from this year’s festival 24 hours a day until Wednesday 30 July.
