TRNSMT boss Geoff Ellis shared his upset over Irish rap group Kneecap’s removal from his festival at a Courier event in Dundee.
Mr Ellis was keynote speaker at The Courier Business Conference, where he was asked about the situation and his views on censorship.
He told attendees he “loved” the band, known for their outspoken opinions on Ireland and the UK and Israel and Palestine.
And after being made, he said, to take them off the line-up after concerns about public disorder were raised by Police Scotland, he helped organise the band’s separate gig at Glasgow’s O2 Academy in July.
One of the group, Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, has appeared at a London court on a terror charge.
The 27-year-old is accused of displaying a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London gig in 2024.
Kneecap are due to play Glastonbury festival this weekend.
This has been described as “not appropriate” by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Geoff Ellis on Kneecap TRNSMT removal
Geoff Ellis is the chief executive of DF Concerts, Scotland’s largest music promoter and the company responsible for events including Summer Sessions and T in the Park.
At Tuesday’s Courier Business Conference, he was asked about his position on censorship, and his opinion regarding the controversial Irish band.
He said: “I love Kneecap. They are one of the most exciting bands to come out of Ireland and the UK in many years.
“To me, rock and roll is about challenging the establishment. It’s not about appeasing anyone, or not offending anyone. Rock and roll should be uncomfortable. It should get people angry.
“When I talked to the police, and the perceived issues they have with Kneecap, it was around issues on (sectarianism) between Catholics and Protestants in Glasgow. And not Israel and Palestine.
“I told them we had Sex Pistols playing at the Punk All Dayer — why wouldn’t that create a problem? It might be because they are too old to fight each other.
“But Sex Pistols sang about anarchy, abolishing the monarchy. And they were a band that scared people.
“I remember asking my mum when I was a kid to buy me Anarchy In The UK. It was exciting, it was naughty. It was something our parents were angry about.
“And then rave music and dance culture in the 90s. Again, that was about kicking against the mainstream.
“Kneecap are just the latest version of that. And thank God someone is actually standing up and creating controversy. You don’t have to agree with everything they say.”
Platform
He added: “And I wanted to give them a platform to say what they’ve got to say. It is frustrating they don’t have that platform anymore.
“I did help them get their own show in Glasgow and I will continue to support them wherever I can.
“And John Swinney got involved and said they shouldn’t be on the TRNSMT bill. Keir Starmer came out and said Kneecap shouldn’t be on the Glastonbury bill.
“It’s freedom of expression. It’s what artists should do.
“I’m against (censorship). And you do have to be careful to avoid giving an out and out platform to racism.
“But politicians (should) back away.”
Police Scotland: ‘decision up to organisers’
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Any decision on the line up at TRNSMT is for the organisers and there was no prior consultation with Police Scotland before acts were booked.
“Officers have highlighted the potential reaction of such a large audience to this band would require a significant policing operation in order to support the delivery of a safe event.
“We have also passed on information from the public around safety concerns to allow organisers to make an informed decision on the running of the festival.”
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