The Irish-language rap trio Kneecap has canceled their entire October 2025 United States tour, citing a looming court date in London for band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara. The abrupt announcement, made in late August, leaves thousands of American fans disappointed and searching for answers, as all 15 scheduled shows from New York to Nashville had sold out well in advance.
"To all our US based fans, we have some bad news," Kneecap wrote in a statement shared across social media and reported by multiple outlets, including The Guardian and Punknews. "Due to the close proximity of our next court hearing in London on September 26 – as the British government continues its witch-hunt – with the start of the U.S. tour, we will have to cancel all 15 U.S. tour dates in October." The band expressed regret, adding, "With every show fully sold out this is news we are sad to deliver. But once we win our court case, which we will, we promise to embark on an even bigger tour to all you great heads."
The legal proceedings at the heart of the cancellation stem from an incident at a London gig in November 2024, where Mo Chara allegedly displayed a flag associated with Hezbollah. The Lebanese political party and paramilitary group is proscribed as a terrorist organization under British law, making any display of its symbols a criminal offense. Mo Chara was charged with a terrorism-related offense in May 2025, but he and the band deny any wrongdoing. His defense team has asked that the charge be dismissed on a technicality, arguing that the video evidence at the center of the case falls outside the six-month prosecution window.
Mo Chara was granted unconditional bail in June 2025, and a chief magistrate is set to decide on September 26 whether the case will proceed to trial. Speaking outside Westminster Magistrates’ Court after a recent hearing, Mo Chara thanked supporters and placed the spotlight squarely on the broader context. "We know this story is more than just about me. It’s more than Kneecap; this is a story about Palestine and us as a distraction from the real story," he said, according to The Irish Times. He added, "We know, unfortunately, this story will end up in the media today, while Israel commits genocide at the same time. So, everybody, continue to speak about Palestine, free Palestine."
Kneecap’s activism is nothing new to their fans. The Belfast-based group has become known for their outspoken support of Palestinian rights, frequently using their stage as a platform to criticize Israel’s war in Gaza and Western complicity. At Coachella 2025, they displayed a message calling Israeli actions in Palestine "genocide," a move that reportedly cost them their U.S. visa sponsor in April. Despite these setbacks, the band’s star has continued to rise, with recent performances at Glastonbury, opening slots for Fontaines D.C., and festival appearances across Europe drawing massive crowds—often with Palestinian flags waving in the audience.
The group has also faced significant backlash. Pro-Israel supporters attempted to disrupt their Paris concert on August 24, 2025, but the trio performed undeterred. Accusations of antisemitism have been leveled at Kneecap, but the band has repeatedly rejected these claims, stating, "We are not the story. Genocide is. They [the UK government] profit from genocide, they use an ‘anti-terror law’ against us for displaying a flag thrown on stage. A charge not serious enough to even warrant their ‘crown court’, instead a court that doesn’t have a jury." In May, they described the terrorism charge as "a carnival of distraction," insisting, "We do not support Hamas or Hezbollah," and arguing that allegations of antisemitism are "weaponized" to distract from the suffering in Gaza.
Despite the legal and political storm, Kneecap’s popularity is only growing. Their debut album, Fine Art, has received critical acclaim, and their blend of Irish and English lyrics over hard-hitting beats resonates with a wide audience. Their politically charged performances and grassroots activism have earned them devoted fans on both sides of the Atlantic. According to The New York Times, their fan base has "grown on both sides of the Atlantic," fueled by both their music and their message.
The canceled U.S. tour was to include stops in major cities such as New York, Boston, Nashville, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., from October 1 to October 15. Refunds are available at the point of purchase, as confirmed by Rolling Stone. But all is not lost for North American fans: the group’s four Canadian dates in Vancouver and Toronto remain unaffected, with tickets for the Vancouver shows on October 22 and 23 fetching more than $1,100 on resale sites as of late August, according to Global News. "Canadian shows are not affected, and we will be playing our four sold-out shows in Vancouver and Toronto," Kneecap confirmed.
The band has also promised a surprise for their American audience. "We will be sharing something very special for U.S. fans next week so that we can still link in with you all in October. It’s top secret for now but all will be revealed next week – stay tuned," the group teased. They closed their statement with a nod to Gil Scott-Heron: "And remember… ‘The revolution will be no re-run, brothers. The revolution will be live’."
Beyond North America, Kneecap plans to keep touring in Europe, adding extra dates in France with two shows at Paris’ Le Trianon in September and two more at l’Élysée Montmartre in November. The group’s activism also extends to their work as executive producers on the short film See it. Say it. Censored, which denounces censorship of pro-Palestinian voices and has been supported by other artists such as Massive Attack and Brian Eno.
The legal outcome for Mo Chara remains uncertain. His defense rests on the argument that the prosecution’s evidence is out of time, while the British government maintains the seriousness of the alleged offense. Meanwhile, the band’s supporters and critics alike are watching closely, as the case has become a flashpoint in debates over free speech, political activism, and the boundaries of artistic expression in the UK and beyond.
For now, Kneecap’s American fans will have to wait for the promised "bigger tour"—and for whatever "very special" surprise the trio has up their sleeves. The revolution, it seems, will not be postponed, even if the concerts are.
