Irish rap group Kneecap generated controversy at Coachella’s second weekend by projecting anti-Israel messages during their set and leading a “free Palestine” chant. The projections, which included messages like “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people” and “Fuck Israel; free Palestine,” were displayed on the Sonora tent backdrop. These messages were also shown during the first weekend, which led to the livestream of their set being cut off. For the second weekend, the Sonora tent’s sets were not livestreamed, likely due to the controversial content.
The band’s actions sparked a larger outcry during weekend two, with many online commentators calling for Coachella organizers, Goldenvoice and parent company AEG Presents, to address the situation. However, representatives from both companies did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Kneecap claimed on social media that Coachella had censored their protest, but promised that they would continue their message. During their weekend two performance, they started another “free, free Palestine” chant and made remarks about the Irish struggle, saying, “The Irish are no longer persecuted under the Brits, but we were never bombed under the fucking skies with nowhere to go.”
Other artists also displayed pro-Palestinian support, such as British punk duo Bob Vylan, who showcased a Palestinian flag and addressed the Gaza situation. It remains unclear if Bob Vylan voiced similar messages in the Sonora tent.
Scooter Braun, the former manager of Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande, defended Coachella founder Paul Tollett on social media. He praised Tollett for his dedication to the festival community and his efforts to support survivors of the October 7 attacks in Israel. Braun urged people to recognize Tollett’s commitment to love and unity amid the controversy surrounding Kneecap’s protest.
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