“At a time when the world is experiencing significant unrest, music should serve as an escape, not a stage for political discourse”

Sharon Osbourne has called for a “revocation of Kneecap’s work visa” after she claims their performance at Coachella 2025 “compromised” the festival’s “moral and spiritual integrity”.

It comes after the organisers of the festival reportedly said they were “blindsided” by the band’s pro-Palestinian messages and chants at the festival.

The Irish rap trio made headlines with their performances on the Sonora Stage at both weekends of the California festival.

The live stream of their set was cut after they used the platform to vocalise their support for a free Palestine, and it is further understood, led the crowd in an anti-Margaret Thatcher chant. The band said – “Not only was that cut,” (referring to the Thatcher chants) but “our messaging on the US-backed genocide in Gaza somehow never appeared on screens either.”

On their second appearance the band made sure they wouldn’t be silenced again however, by providing their own livestream, with political commentator Hasan Piker broadcasting their set live via Twitch. Not only this, but slogans including “Fuck Israel, Free Palestine”, “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people” and “it is being enabled by the US government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes” were projected onto the screen behind them as they performed.

Mo Chara from Kneecap furher told the festival crowd: “The Irish not so long ago were persecuted at the hands of the Brits, but we were never bombed from the fucking skies with nowhere to go.”

“The Palestinians have nowhere to go, it’s their fucking home and they’re bombing them from the skies,” he added. “If you’re not calling it a genocide what the fuck are you calling it?” He then started a “Free, Free Palestine” chant.

Now, Sharon Osbourne, who has Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, has criticised the band saying the performance “compromised” the festival’s “moral and spiritual integrity”.

In a lengthy post on X, Osbourne said:

“Coachella 2025 will be remembered as a festival that compromised its moral and spiritual integrity. Goldenvoice, the festival organiser, facilitated this by allowing artists to use the Coachella stage as a platform for political expression. At a time when the world is experiencing significant unrest, music should serve as an escape, not a stage for political discourse.”

She continued:

“While festivals like Coachella showcase remarkable talent from around the globe, music’s primary purpose is to unite people. It should not be a venue for promoting terrorist organisations or spreading hate.”

After this, Osbourne went on to criticise Kneecap, saying the band “took their performance to a different level by incorporating aggressive political statements.” She added: “Their actions included projections of anti-Israel messages and hate speech, and this band openly support terrorist organisations.“

“This behaviour raises concerns about the appropriateness of their participation in such a festival and further shows they are booked to play in the USA. Reports indicate that Goldenvoice was unaware of Kneecap’s political intentions when they were booked. However, after witnessing their performance during the first weekend, allowing them to perform again the following weekend suggests support of their rhetoric and a lack of due diligence.”

Osbourne also went on to call out punk outfit, Green Day, who altered one of their song’s lyrics to reference Palestine during their set. “Green Day, a band I personally admire, chose to share their views on the Middle East during their Coachella performance. While I respect their right to express their opinions, such discussions would have been more appropriate at their own concert, not at a festival.”

Osbourne concluded her statement of distaste with: “I urge you to join me in advocating for the revocation of Kneecap’s work visa.”

What are your thoughts, are Kneecap a band not afraid to speak the truth when it needs saying or is Sharon Osbourne right in her asertations?

THE SONGBIRD HQ