Controversial rap group is coming to Plymouth

Controversial rap group is coming to Plymouth

Rap group Kneecap have announced they will perform in Plymouth after cancelling a scheduled concert at Cornwall's Eden Project in a storm of controversy after appearing to call for Conservative MPs to be killed.

Video emerged this week from a November 2023 gig which seemed to show one member of the Northern Irish group saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”

Amidst a media storm about the comments, The Eden Sessions announced the political rappers, who have previously been under fire for their comments about Israeli attacks in Gaza, had lost their July 4 booking.

Within hours of the cancellation, news broke that Kneecap would be playing Plymouth on the same date - and two further nights.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has called for Kneecap to be banned in the wake of the controversy. The group apologised to the families of murdered MPs but claimed footage of the incident had been “exploited and weaponised”.

Calls have been made for Kneecap to also be removed from the Glastonbury Festival line-up. At the time of reporting, Kneecap are still set to perform the Somerset festival this summer.

The band originally said in a social media post that their Plymouth performance would be at the Pavilions. This was subsequently changed to The Depo, with gigs planned for July 2, 3 and 4.

*This article has been edited since first publication to take account of changes to the concert venue.