Belfast’s rap group Kneecap strongly criticized Donald Trump’s recent state visit to the UK during a dynamic performance at Wembley. They conveyed to their audience that musicians are stepping into the void left by politicians, specifically targeting the US President shortly after his departure from the UK back to the US following his three-day visit. In between songs, a band member exclaimed disbelief at Trump’s presence in England.

Before their London show, a message projected on the wall highlighted the contrasting treatment of Isaac Herzog and Trump in the city. The band referenced Keir Starmer’s recent meeting with Israel’s President, which drew attention to the Doha bombing and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Kneecap faced controversy earlier at Glastonbury, triggering a criminal investigation that later ceased. At Wembley, one member called for the release of documents related to Jeffrey Epstein’s case, while another led the crowd in provocative chants against the Royal Family and Keir Starmer.

Their performance, supported by Gurriers and Jelani Blackman, featured an audio-visual presentation by Massive Attack and a speech by Ben Jamal from the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. Kneecap performed various tracks, including collaborations with Fontaines DC singer Grian Chatten.

O hAnnaidh emphasized the role of artists in advocating for causes like Palestine, pointing out the void left by politicians. He highlighted the freedom artists have to address issues on stage without government interference, echoing the sentiment shared by many in the music industry.