If the critics of Kneecap, who have issued an entirely justified apology for grossly offensive outbursts during their concerts, had set out to give the Belfast band an international status, they have plainly succeeded.
It needs to be said from the start that onstage references to killing politicians, or any other individual, can only be regarded as appalling, particularly in an era where the targeting of elected representatives is happening regularly.
The comments from an unidentified Kneecap member were made during a 2023 show in England, at a time when the band must have been aware of the evil murders of MPs Sir David Amess in 2021 and Jo Cox in 2016.
- ‘Attritional’ Troubles legacy process yet another example of victims being failed - The Irish News viewOpens in new window
- As Pope Francis’s restless papacy ends, the Catholic Church is at a crossroads - The Irish News viewOpens in new window
- Trump’s second term: 100 days of chaos, confusion, and worse to come - The Irish News viewOpens in new window
It was essential that the band should apologise to the Amess and Cox families, as they now have done, as well as making clear that they do not support extremist organisations like Hamas or Hezbollah.
There will be an understanding that similarly cringeworthy and crude outbursts are relatively common among rap musicians, whether in Ireland, Britain or the US, without drawing the attention of the counter-terrorist police.
Kneecap were also entitled to note that their stance on the appalling slaughter in Gaza, which they set out to highlight, was largely ignored in the furore of the last 48 hours, saying: “They want you to believe words are more harmful than genocide.”
There can only be cynicism that the UK prime minister, the Conservative leader and a long list of unionist figures were much more comfortable condemning Kneecap than speaking out over the massacre of innocents in the Middle East.
The whole episode will have reminded older readers of the contrived uproar in 1967 when two of the Rolling Stones were charged with possession of four amphetamine tablets and allowing their property to be used for smoking cannabis.
While Kneecap are unlikely to be deterred from outspoken comments, they might also take the opportunity to reflect on the wider consequences of their conduct
Mick Jagger – now of course Sir Michael – and Keith Richards were facing lengthy jail sentences until a celebrated editorial in the London Times newspaper intervened, quoting an 18th century writer and asking: “Who breaks a butterfly upon a wheel?“
The Rolling Stones were just as wrong to associate themselves with dangerous and illegal drugs as Kneecap were decades later to apparently encourage violence against politicians, but some context is required on all sides.
While Kneecap are unlikely to be deterred from outspoken comments, they might also take the opportunity to reflect on the wider consequences of their conduct.
It has been well documented that they also previously led their audience in gloating chants about the death of Margaret Thatcher, in a way which has often been replicated by the worst elements from the fringes of both republicanism and loyalism.
They have been given an important platform and they are capable of better.
If you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article and would like to submit a Letter to the Editor to be considered for publication, please click here
Letters to the Editor are invited on any subject. They should be authenticated with a full name, address and a daytime telephone number. Pen names are not allowed.
