The U.S. Tour for Knee Cup: Visa Issues Arise Amid Coachella Controversy

Knee Visa Updates Ahead of Tour

Recent reports indicate that the group Kneecap is seeking a new sponsor for updated American visas in anticipation of their upcoming October tour in the USA.

The visa situation involving the group, as reported by the Hollywood Reporter, arose following a controversy related to their performance at Coachella 2025, which garnered significant media attention recently.

The trio made headlines during the Coachella weekend when their live translator was cut off after they expressed support for a free Palestine and made provocative statements against Margaret Thatcher. “Not only did it be,” they remarked, referencing Thatcher’s refrain, “the US-supported genocide in Gaza never appeared on the screens.”

During the festival’s second weekend, the group provided their own live broadcast, with political commentator Hassan Piker streaming their set on Twitch. Slogans like “Fuck ISRAEL,” “FREE PALESTINE,” and “the US government funds Israel despite their war crimes” were displayed on the screen throughout their performance.

Controversy and Reactions Post-Performance

Following their performance, Coachella organizers reportedly claimed to have been “blinded” by the group’s pro-Palestinian messages. Shortly thereafter, Sharon Osborn called for a cancellation of their work visa, asserting that their performance compromised the festival’s “moral and spiritual integrity.” In response, the group termed Osborne’s statement as “damn wild.”

It has been noted that the trio’s US performances are contingent on work visas issued under sponsorship from approved organizations, such as IAG and other industry firms. Currently, the previous visas have expired due to IAG ceasing to collaborate with them, necessitating a new application before their tour.

Despite their visa challenges, all scheduled tour dates remain unaffected. A new visa application is anticipated under a different sponsor as they prepare for their tour across the USA and Canada, supporting their debut album, Fine Art.

On April 25, the group issued a statement addressing the backlash, describing it as a “coordinated smear” campaign against their efforts to highlight the ongoing genocide against Palestinian people. They reiterated their commitment to using their platform to expose the complicity of the British and Irish governments in war crimes.

In a solidarity statement shared earlier this week, fans expressed their support following the festival’s backlash, including heartfelt messages from a retired officer of the Royal Fleet, stating, “I love your music. Free Palestine,” and another from a Palestinian in exile, thanking the group for giving them a voice on the global stage.

Amid ongoing scrutiny, video footage from their previous concert in London has elicited investigation by counter-terrorism police due to instances of attendees shouting supportive messages for Hamas and Hezbollah, which could potentially violate the UK’s terrorism laws.

Despite the controversies surrounding their performances, Kneecap continues to advocate for Palestinian rights, evidenced by their fundraising efforts and outspoken support for the Palestinian cause. Their commitment to activism remains reflected in their music and public statements.