Kneecap Hit Out at Keir Starmer, Rod Stewart at Much-Discussed Glastonbury 2025 Set
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Kneecap at Glastonbury review – sunkissed good vibes are banished by rap trio’s feral, furious flows
Kneecap’s appearance at Glastonbury is the most hotly debated of 2025. Both the prime minister and the leader of the opposition have had strong opinions about it. The West Holts area is so packed, it has to be closed down to prevent a crush. Behind the furore, the trio are really good at what they do. They are impressive rappers – raw-throated but dextrous. And live, their sound comes into its own, a fizzing stew with a bassy intensity that has a hint of the Prodigy about it: Fine Art’s sudden lurches from dubstep to four-to-the-floor pounding; Get Your Brits Out’S warped take on classic Chicago house. For now, for this audience, they are triumphant. The stage is barely visible for flags, most, but not all of them, Palestinian.
It’s a perfect example of how quickly stories can become overheated in the 21st century: vastly more people now have a opinion about Kneecap than have ever heard their music, which is, traditionally, a tricky and destructive position for a band to find themselves in. Invoking a name one probably shouldn’t invoke under the circumstances, you might want to ask the surviving members of the Sex Pistols how that worked out for them.
Still, the West Holts area is so packed, it has to be closed down to prevent a crush. The stage is barely visible for flags, most, but not all of them, Palestinian (there’s still room for WE LIKE TO MOVE IT MOVE IT, SMITHY’S ON A BENDER and indeed I EAT ASS – THAT’S AMORE). Kneecap themselves seem happy to lean into the controversy: their appearance is preceded by a montage of voices condemning the band – Sharon Osbourne figures heavily – and much booing from the audience. Their ongoing travails are regularly referenced – “everyone in that fucking tent agreed with me”, protests Mo Chara (real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh) about the Coachella appearance that intensified the whole business. Bandmate Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin) suggests that the audience should attend Ó hAnnaidh’s forthcoming court hearing – he’s been charged with what Bap calls a “trumped up” terrorism-related offence for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag at a London gig, for which Mo Chara has been unconditionally bailed – and “start a riot outside the courts … the Daily Mail will love that! Fuck the Daily Mail! Fuck Keir Starmer!” The latter is among a longer list of enemies that also includes Rod Stewart, who’s made the impressively ballsy choice to preface his Glastonbury appearance with an expression of support for Nigel Farage.
View image in fullscreen Triumphant … Kneecap at West Holts. Photograph: David Levene/The Guardian
It’s probably too late to say that it would be a shame if said controversy completely drowned out Kneecap’s actual music, but the point stands. Behind the furore, the trio are really good at what they do. Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap are impressive rappers – raw-throated but dextrous, far funnier than you might expect if the only stuff you heard about Kneecap revolved around recent events. And live, their sound comes into its own, a fizzing stew with a bassy intensity that has a hint of the Prodigy about it: Fine Art’s sudden lurches from dubstep to four-to-the-floor pounding; Get Your Brits Out’s warped take on classic Chicago house.
As the crowd break into circle pits and moshing, with a degree of encouragement from the band, it feels genuinely exciting, a feral moment in a festival that’s thus far tended towards sunkissed good vibes. What happens next – whether Kneecap’s ongoing notoriety turns out to be a brief flashpoint, something more lasting, or indeed ultimately the undoing of them – remains to be seen. For now, for this audience, they are triumphant.
Glastonbury 2025: Live updates from Worthy Farm
Glastonbury 2025: Live updates as doors open at Worthy Farm. Neil Young set to make his long-awaited return to the festival for the first time since 2009. First-time headliners The 1975 and Olivia Rodrigo.
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After 12 months of anticipation, the time has finally come around for Glastonbury Festival to open its gates to welcome over 200,000 music fans from across the world to Worthy Farm.
This year, Glastonbury promises to be as spectacular as ever, with Neil Young set to make his long-awaited return to the festival for the first time since 2009. The Canadian is set to top the bill on the Pyramid Stage along with first-time headliners The 1975 and Olivia Rodrigo.
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Kneecap at Glastonbury LIVE: Savage Keir Starmer chants and BBC dig after blackout
Irish rap trio Kneecap took to the stage for their highly anticipated Glastonbury performance. Their appearance at Worthy Farm has been surrounded by controversy for weeks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer even calling for their set to be scrapped. Liam Og O hAnnaidh appeared in court, charged with for allegedly waving a flag in support of the banned terrorist group Hezbollah.
Their appearance at Worthy Farm has been surrounded by controversy for weeks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer even calling for their set to be scrapped after member Liam Og O hAnnaidh appeared in court, charged with for allegedly waving a flag in support of the banned terrorist group Hezbollah and chanting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” during a performance in Brixton last November.
They decided to make their feelings towards Starmer known during the set, having led a ‘F*** Keir Starmer’ chant five times. Kneecap also thanked Glastonbury for keeping them on the bill despite calls for them to be axed.
The rap trio are vocal in their support of Palestine with fans carrying flags in the crowd. They also showed their support for group Palestine Action, while on stage.
Ahead of their performance, due to the controversy over their band member’s court case, there had been much public discussion about if they should perform at all. But, the performance went ahead as planned. Here is everything you need to know about the controversial set from the trio…
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Kneecap fans boo Rod Stewart as band target him with “older than Israel” jibe
Kneecap fans boo Rod Stewart as band target him with “older than Israel” jibe. Fans of the Belfast group jeered Rod’s name as KneECap were performing at Glastonbury. Rod is likely to have a much friendlier response from his own fans when he returns on Sunday to play the festival he previously headlined in 2002. The British singer, songwriter and producer, who celebrated another number one album last year, will step out onto the Pyramid Stage for the first time in over 20 years on Sunday. He has said he is not happy with the “teatime slot” as it sounds like “pipe and slippers” though it should be anything but with former Faces bandmate and Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood expected to join him onstage. Rod, who is 80, and spends most of his time in the US, spoke out in favour of Keir Starmer and Reform.
Fans of the Belfast group jeered Rod’s name as Kneecap were performing at Glastonbury.
Rod Stewart was booed by Kneecap fans at Glastonbury
Rod Stewart got a frosty reception during Kneecap’s Glastonbury gig with boos ringing out after he was name checked by the rappers.
Fans of the Belfast group jeered Rod’s name as Kneecap were performing on the West Holt’s stage.
Asked if they were going to see Rod’s tea time slot at Glastonbury tomorrow, the question was met by jeers, which may have been a reaction to Rod’s announcement that he is a big fan of Nigel Farage and the Reform Party.
The crowd also mocked Rod when one Kneecap member described him as “Rod, the Prod” and “older than Israel”.
Kneecap performing on the West Holts Stage during the Glastonbury Festival
Celtic fan Rod, who is 80, and spends most of his time in the US, spoke out in favour of Starmer and Reform in an interview with The Times newspaper.
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He also moaned that Prime Minister, Keir Starmer was trying to reverse Brexit.
Rod said: “It’s hard for me because I’m extremely wealthy, and I deserve to be, so a lot of it doesn’t really touch me,” Rod said. “But that doesn’t mean I’m out of touch.
“For instance, I’ve read about Starmer cutting off the fishing in Scotland and giving it back to the EU.
“That hasn’t made him popular. We’re fed up with the Tories.
“We’ve got to give Farage a chance. He’s coming across well.
Sir Rod Stewart (Image: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic )
“What options have we got? I know some of his family, I know his brother, and I quite like him.
“Starmer’s all about getting us out of Brexit and I don’t know how he’s going to do that. Still, the country will survive. It could be worse. We could be in the Gaza Strip.”
Rod is likely to have a much friendlier response from his own fans when he returns on Sunday to play the festival he previously headlined in 2002.
The British singer, songwriter and producer, who celebrated another number one album last year, will step out onto the Pyramid Stage for the first time in over 20 years on Sunday.
With his trademark raspy, soulful voice and armed with a huge back catalogue of hits, there’s no doubt he will have the crowd singing along and swinging their hips to songs like Maggie May, You Wear It Well and Do Ya Think I’m Sexy? as he promises to entertain the Glastonbury teatime revellers.
Rod has said he is not happy with the “teatime slot” as it sounds like “pipe and slippers” though it should be anything but with former Faces bandmate and Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood expected to join him onstage.
But as the boos rang out at Glastonbury’s Kneecap members laughed, asking, “Have I missed something?” And adding, “I mean the man’s older than Israel. Rod, the Prod.”
Though it may have been a joke, London-born Rod who lives in the US, is actually older than modern state of Israel which was founded on April 18, 1948. Rod was born on January 10, 1945.
Lewis Capaldi says ‘I’m back baby’ as he makes emotional return to Glastonbury
Lewis Capaldi played a surprise set at Glastonbury two years after a performance at the festival during which he struggled to manage his Tourette syndrome symptoms. Crowd started chanting ‘Oh Lewis Capaldi’ before he began playing the hit song Before You Go. He performed a 35-minute set on the Pyramid Stage with songs including Hold Me While You Wait and Grace. The musician, who announced a break from touring shortly after his performance in 2023, has just released a new song called Survive. Lorde surprised fans with a secret set at Worthy Farm, performing her latest album Virgin, which was released on Friday, in full. Scottish indie rockers Franz Ferdinand brought out former Doctor Who actor Peter Capaldi during their Other Stage set while they were playing Take Me Out, one of their best known songs. The 1975 will be first headliners to grace the Pyramid stage this year when they perform on Friday. US pop star Neil Young and his band Chrome Hearts will also headline the festival on Wednesday.
The crowd started chanting “Oh Lewis Capaldi” before he began playing the hit song Before You Go, to kick off his set, which had been listed as “TBA” on the Glastonbury website.
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Lewis Capaldi delighted fans with a short set at Glastonbury (Yui Mok/PA)
The musician, who announced a break from touring shortly after his performance at the festival in 2023, has just released a new song called Survive.
He told fans: “It’s so good to be back. I’m not going to say much up here today, because if I do, I think I will probably start crying.
“But it’s just amazing to be here with you all, and I can’t thank you all enough for coming out and coming and seeing me.
“Second time’s a charm on this one, everybody.
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“It’s just a short set today, but I just wanted to come and kind of finish what I couldn’t finish the first time round.”
A fan holds a ‘Welcome back Lewis Capaldi’ sign (Yui Mok/PA)
He performed a 35-minute set on the Pyramid Stage with songs including Hold Me While You Wait and Grace.
Introducing his new song, he became visibly emotional as he said: “The last two years haven’t been the best for me, it’s been difficult at times.
“This has been my f****** goal, to get back here”, he added.
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He ended his performance with Somebody You Loved, the track that Glastonbury crowd’s helped him to sing when he struggled with his Tourette symptoms in 2023.
The condition causes you to make sudden, repetitive sounds or movements and while there is no cure treatment can help manage the tics, according to the NHS website.
The star ended his set saying ‘I’m Lewis Capaldi and I’m f****** back baby’ (Yui Mok/PA)
He said: “I really missed doing this for the last two years, it’s been difficult at times to like think that maybe this wouldn’t ever happen again…
“I couldn’t sing this song two years ago for a different reason. I think I might struggle this time for another reason, but this time it’s a good reason.”
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He added: “My name’s Lewis Capaldi and I’m f***** back baby.”
Earlier on Friday, alternative pop star Lorde surprised fans with a secret set at Worthy Farm, performing her latest album Virgin, which was released on Friday, in full.
Lola Young performing at Glastonbury (Ben Birchall/PA)
Also performing was rising pop singer Lola Young who treated fans to her UK number one single Messy during her afternoon Woodsies set.
The 24-year-old singer, who was wearing a checked dress and black bralet, brought out a blow-up doll with her face on it as she sang her latest single Not Like That Anymore.
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Addressing the crowd, Young, whose arrival on stage was delayed by 10 minutes, said: “Thank you to everybody who made this happen, and thank you for being here.”
Scottish indie rockers Franz Ferdinand brought out former Doctor Who actor Peter Capaldi during their Other Stage set while they were playing Take Me Out, one of their best known songs.
Capaldi sang along with the band after being introduced by lead singer Alex Kapranos as “the original Capaldi”.
Elsewhere at the festival, British pop rock band The 1975 will be the first headliners to grace the Glastonbury Festival’s Pyramid Stage this year when they perform on Friday.
Lorde held a secret gig at Woodsies tent (Yui Mok/PA)
Made up of four school friends, the group, known for songs including Chocolate, Someone Else and About You, comprises singer Matt Healy, bassist Ross MacDonald, guitarist Adam Hann and drummer George Daniel.
The five-day celebration of music and performing arts, which opened its gates on Wednesday, will also host headline performances from veteran rocker Neil Young and his band the Chrome Hearts, and US pop star Olivia Rodrigo.
The BBC confirmed on Thursday that Young’s Saturday Pyramid Stage set will not be broadcast live “at the artist’s request”.
Supergrass performed on the main stage, 30 years after their classic debut album was released (Ben Birchall/PA)
This year’s line-up features a number of acts listed as TBA, as well as a mysterious act called Patchwork, which will take to the Pyramid Stage on Saturday.
Festivalgoers had a clear morning after significant rainfall overnight, with temperatures reaching the mid-20s, according to the Met Office.
The Met Office’s Grahame Madge said: “Heat and humidity will be building over the weekend. We anticipate highs of 26C on Saturday, with high levels of humidity. By Monday temperatures can be anticipated to be over 30C.
“There is always the chance of a light shower, but there is nothing in the forecast that suggests anything heavier for Saturday for Somerset.”
Avon and Somerset Police said there had been 38 crimes reported at the festival, and 14 arrests made.
Fans have gathered at Worthy Farm for a typically spectacular line-up (Ben Birchall/PA)
On Saturday Irish rap trio Kneecap, who have had one of their members charged with a terror offence, will perform on the West Holts Stage at 4pm.
Before the festival, UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said it would not be “appropriate” for them to perform.
Liam Og O hAnnaidh, 27, was charged with allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah at a gig in London in November last year.
Last week the rapper, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was cheered by hundreds of supporters as he arrived with bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in Free Mo Chara T-shirts.
He was released on unconditional bail until the next hearing at the same court on August 20.
With a sunny few days predicted here at Worthy Farm, please take a moment to read this advice on staying safe in the heat. #Glastonbury2025 pic.twitter.com/ilnbdCcLKc — Glastonbury Festival (@glastonbury) June 27, 2025
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Performing in the coveted Sunday legends slot this year is Sir Rod Stewart, who previously said he will be joined by his former Faces band member Ronnie Wood, as well as other guests.
Sir Rod’s performance will come after he postponed a string of concerts in the US, due to take place this month, while he recovered from flu.
The BBC is providing livestreams of the five main stages: Pyramid, Other, West Holts, Woodsies and The Park.