Kneecap have cancelled their US tour in October, blaming the proximity of a London court hearing on September 26 for band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh.
The tour had been due to begin in New York at The Rooftop at Pier 17 on October 1, as one of 15 dates in major US cities. The US tour was due to run until October 28.
The member of the Irish rap group, who performs as Mo Chara, was charged in May after allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah – proscribed by the UK government – at a show last year. He has denied the offence.
In a statement earlier this year, Kneecap said they do not support Hezbollah or Hamas.
In their August 25 tour update, Heavenly/PIAS-signed Kneecap said: “To all our US-based fans, we have some bad news. Due to the close proximity of our next court hearing in London on September 26 – as the British government continues its witch-hunt – with the start of the US tour, we will have to cancel all 15 US tour dates in October. With every show fully sold out this is news we are sad to deliver. But once we win our court case, which we will, we promise to embark on an even bigger tour to all you great heads.”
The statement added; “We also have some good news. We will be sharing something very special for US fans next week so that we can still link in with you all in October. It's top secret for now but all will be revealed next week – stay tuned.”
The band’s Canadian dates will go ahead as planned, including two dates at History in Toronto (October 14-15) and a further two shows at Vogue Theatre, Vancouver (October 22-23).
Kneecap are currently playing European dates with upcoming shows at Vital Festival, Belfast (August 29) and Electric Picnic at Stradball Hall, Ireland (August 30). They play an OVO Arena Wembley show on September 18 and return for a UK tour in November.
Ó hAnnaidh is currently on unconditional bail following two court appearances. During the most recent hearing on August 20, there were legal arguments over whether the charge was brought within the six-month legal limit.
His defence team are seeking for the case to be thrown out, claiming there has been a legal technical error in the way he was charged.
PHOTO: credit Joshua Mulholland
