Police investigation into Kneecap’s Glastonbury set closed: “This is political. This is targeted. This is state intimidation”

The police investigation into Kneecap‘s performance at Glastonbury 2025 has been closed, with no further action being taken.

The Irish rap trio played a defiant, huge set on the West Holts stage last month as part of this year’s festival. “Glastonbury, I’m a free man,” declared member Mo Chara at one point.

• READ MORE: Glastonbury Festival 2025 review: the most unforgettable moments from Worthy Farm

This was in response to him being given unconditional bail from his first court appearance on his terror charge, which stemmed from a Kneecap show last November – where he reportedly displayed a Hezbollah flag.

Kneecap arrived onstage at Glasto to their usual message displayed on the big screen: “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people, aided by the UK government. Free Palestine.”

Chara also hit out at Prime Minister Keir Starmer – who argued that it was “not appropriate” for the band to be appearing at Glastonbury: “The Prime Minister of your country said he didn’t want us to play, so fuck Keir Starmer.” Additionally, Kneecap played a new track and reaffirmed their solidarity with Palestine and the activist group Palestine Action.

Later, it was announced that police were investigating both Kneecap and Bob Vylan’s performances at Glastonbury to decide whether any offences had been committed. Shortly before their set on Worthy Farm, Kneecap defended their “satirical” live show: “It’s not our job to tell people what’s a joke and what’s not.”

Today (July 18), Kneecap shared a screenshot of an email that had been sent to their team by the Detective Superintendent at Avon and Somerset Police.

It read: “I am Senior Investigating Officer for Avon and Somerset Police’s investigation into Kneecap’s performance at the Glastonbury Festival on 28th June 2025.

“Following a review of the evidence, I have determined there will be no further action. I would be grateful if you could communicate this to your clients, and/ or advise me of an alternative way of contacting them. Thank you for your assistance in this matter.”

Kneecap responded in the caption, writing: “One element of the political policing intimidation attempt is over.

“We played a historic set at Glastonbury. Whole area closed an hour before due to crowds. A celebration of love and solidarity. A sea of good people at the world’s most famous festival.

One element of the political policing intimidation attempt is over.

We played a historic set at Glastonbury. Whole area closed an hour before due to crowds. A celebration of love and solidarity. A sea of good people at the world’s most famous festival.

Shortly afterwards we… pic.twitter.com/S0BsMeOM83

— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) July 18, 2025

“Shortly afterwards we learn of an active police investigation. An investigation that followed after the Prime Minister himself said it ‘was not appropriate’ we played Glastonbury. Walk off stage to the rapturous sounds of good people and into the creaking scheming sounds of the establishment.”

The trio went on to say that the news of the investigation was “reported across the world’s media often with wildly misleading headlines”, adding: “Every single person who saw our set knew no law was broken, not even close….yet the police saw fit to publicly announce they were opening an investigation.”

They then asked: “Why open and publicise an investigation into fuck all? This is political. This is targeted. This is state intimidation.

“After the media damage is inflicted and seen by millions of eyes – you receive a private email to say there’s no evidence and no action – that is seen by two people only. There is no public apology, they don’t send this to media or post it on police accounts.”

• READ MORE: Kneecap on The Cover: giving peace, protest and partying a chance

Kneecap signed off: “We will continue to fight. We will continue to win.”

The group’s Glastonbury 2025 slot was hailed as one of NME‘s “most unforgettable moments from Worthy Farm”. It read: “[It’s] just banger after banger and words of love for the Irish language and solidarity. Móglaí Bap shared the ‘disclaimer’ that there should be no ‘riots outside court’ when currently ‘free man’ Mo Chara reappears, adding that focus should be on solidarity and ‘just support for Palestine’.”

The BBC said in early June that it would continue with its planned coverage of Kneecap’s slot at West Holts, but told fans that it may be edited to coincide with editorial guidelines. Shortly before the scheduled performance, the corporation confirmed that the set would not be streamed live. However, the broadcaster said it would aim to make it available later via its on-demand service, iPlayer – where it is currently still streaming.

Mo Chara (real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh) is scheduled to attend his next court hearing in relation to the terror charge on August 20.

Meanwhile, Labour MP for Bury South, Christian Wakeford, has called for Kneecap to be removed from an upcoming Fontaines D.C. show in Manchester. He has called their appearance on the line-up “completely inappropriate”.

It had previously been reported that talks were in progress between Manchester City Council and the concert’s promoter about whether the trio should be pulled from the bill, apparently over “safety concerns”.

Amid the ongoing controversy, Kneecap have announced a winter 2025 UK headline tour. They’ve also thrown their support behind Massive Attack’s newly-launched alliance of musicians speaking out for Gaza against “intimidations from within” the music industry.

In other news, Bob Vylan will no longer be supporting Gogol Bordello on their upcoming European tour. This followed backlash regarding the former’s “death to the IDF” chants at Glastonbury 2025. The duo have since announced some European headline shows of their own.

Bob Vylan have come under a criminal investigation like Kneecap, and had their US visas revoked. They’ve also been removed from their headline slot at Manchester’s Radar Festival and dropped by their agent.

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