Glastonbury 2025 is in full swing, with artists together with Charli XCX, The 1975, Olivia Rodrigo, Neil Younger, Rod Stewart, and Alanis Morissette among the many stars set to entertain the lots this 12 months.
However politicians who will not even be setting foot on Worthy Farm in Somerset have been making their ideas recognized about this 12 months’s line-up – specifically the Irish-language rappers Kneecap, who’re on the invoice on Saturday.
The trio made an enormous Glastonbury debut final 12 months – impressing the likes of Noel Gallagher, who turned out for a set. However the path to a much bigger stage this time spherical has made headlines for various causes.
Kneecap on the premiere of their self-titled movie in London. Pic: PA
Outspoken on the war in Gaza, Liam O’Hanna, or Liam Og O hAnnaidh, appeared in court earlier this month charged with a terror offence, for allegedly displaying a flag in assist of the proscribed group Hezbollah at a Kneecap gig in London final November.
He’s due again in court docket in August. On social media, he denied assist for Hezbollah after the cost was introduced, however the trio have held agency on their assist for Palestinians.
Removed from the bills of some festivals within the run-up to Glastonbury, there have been calls from some for them to be taken off right here, too – together with from the prime minister.
When requested by The Solar, Sir Keir Starmer mentioned it was not “applicable”, and he didn’t suppose they need to play.
Kneecap’s Liam Og O hAnnaidh leaves Westminster Magistrates’ Courtroom. Pic: PA
Protesters collect in assist of Kneecap exterior court docket in London. Pic PA
Learn extra from Sky Information
Star-studded guest list for Bezos wedding
Cheryl’s stalker admits another offence
In an interview with The Guardian because the pageant bought underneath method, O hAnnaidh, who performs underneath the stage identify Mo Chara, was requested if he regretted what was depicted in a video of the alleged offence that circulated on social media.
“It is a joke,” he replied. “I am a personality. Shit is thrown on stage on a regular basis. If I am purported to know each f****** factor that is thrown on stage, I would be in Mensa.”
He instructed the newspaper he didn’t know each proscribed organisation, saying he had sufficient to consider when he’s on stage.
“I am desirous about my subsequent lyric, my subsequent joke, the subsequent drop of a beat.”
Glastonbury will get underneath method at Worthy Farm in Somerset
Dilemma for the BBC
For the BBC, which broadcasts a whole lot of the principle units stay, it poses a dilemma.
When requested if it could be displaying Kneecap’s set stay, a spokesperson mentioned artists had been booked by pageant organisers and their very own plans would guarantee editorial tips are met.
“While the BBC would not ban artists, our plans will be sure that our programming will meet our editorial tips,” they mentioned. “Selections about our output might be made within the lead as much as the pageant.”
Which implies it is unlikely they will be streaming Kneecap stay – however a few of their set no less than could also be made accessible later.
To those that object to them being allowed a stage right here in any respect, it is nonetheless permitting the band a really outstanding platform.
However Glastonbury has at all times leaned left, that includes acts unafraid to share their political beliefs – and internet hosting former Labour chief Jeremy Corbyn on stage in 2017.
Competition founder Michael Eavis instructed the Glastonbury Free Press that folks have at all times come to the pageant for these causes – and made his views clear: “Individuals that do not agree with the politics of the occasion can go someplace else.”
Glastonbury co-founder Sir Michael Eavis and his daughter Emily because the pageant opens for 2025. Pic: PA
Singer and activist Billy Bragg, who organises the Left Discipline stage annually, mentioned Glastonbury has at all times been political.
“Once I first got here right here in 1984, it was a CND (Marketing campaign For Nuclear Disarmament) pageant, and everyone was in opposition, or each younger particular person, was against Margaret Thatcher’s insurance policies. And no matter points – CND, the miners, homosexual rights, they got here, it is at all times been that.
“So I do not know why everybody’s saying this 12 months it is a bit political. It is at all times been political. I suppose the prime minister saying who can and who cannot play might need one thing to do with it.”
Bragg mentioned he was “proud” of Glastonbury organisers for “standing as much as it” and ignoring the noise.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Glastonbury Competition 2025 has began – here is what it’s essential know
Accusations of ‘company management’
Politics and pop have at all times been intertwined for older acts akin to Neil Younger, who headlines the Pyramid Stage on Saturday – and we all know the BBC will not be displaying this one stay, however maybe for various causes.
Earlier than his headline slot was confirmed, Younger, who started his profession within the Nineteen Sixties with the band Buffalo Springfield, mentioned he had initially turned down the provide to carry out, saying the pageant was “underneath company management” of the broadcaster.
Earlier this week, the company confirmed it could not present the set stay “on the artist’s request”.
Neil Younger will not have his set televised by the BBC. Pic: Getty
Singer-songwriter John Fogerty, one of many founders of US blues rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival, can also be on the invoice this 12 months – and mentioned songwriters ought to speak about what is going on on on the earth round them, “definitely if they’ve a standpoint they usually’d wish to share it”.
There is a stability, he added. “I used to be comfortable to jot down Proud Mary, which is kind of Americana, you recognize, kind of love tune to America, actually.
“However I wrote Lucky Son proper in the course of the Vietnam Conflict within the late Nineteen Sixties. And that has a spot too. Individuals must be happy to jot down extra music like that.”
John Fogerty is on the invoice this 12 months. Pic: Getty
With Donald Trump again in energy, the US is in “political turmoil”, Fogerty mentioned. “It is nearly, you recognize, I ought to go sit down someplace and write a tune about this – and then you definitely go, oh my goodness, I already did.”
For followers at Glastonbury, music as ever is the main target right here – and the sensation from most is that politicians ought to keep out of it.
“The prime minister and pop music do not actually go collectively,” mentioned Bragg. “I do not suppose anyone, chief of the opposition both, ought to say who can and who cannot play at a pageant.”
