Kneecap respond to claims their Coachella stream was cut over anti-Thatcher chant

12 April, 2025

Mo Chara and Moglai Bap from Kneecap

Kneecap have responded to claims their Coachella 2025 stream was cut after they led an anti-Margaret Thatcher chant.

The Irish group performed at the California festival last night (April 11), taking to the Sonora stage to kick-start the chant.

Taking aim at former British Prime Minister Thatcher, who they’ve previously labelled a “c*nt”, they said: “Here, if anybody was wondering, Margaret Thatcher’s still dead,” which drew a massive cheer from the crowd, who then sang along to “Maggie’s In A Box” to the tune of KC And The Sunshine Band’s ‘Give It Up’.

The trio, made up of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí, are longstanding critics of the former Conservative leader and are well known for being outspoken politically, utilising their set to make several statements in support of Palestine.

Following their performance, the band took to X to respond to our article, confirming that the section had been cut from the livestream along with with their “Free Palestine” message.

They wrote: “Not the only thing that was cut – our messaging on the US-backed genocide in Gaza somehow never appeared on screens either. Back next Friday Coachella and it’ll be sorted. Grma to everyone who packed out the tent.” You can view their performance here.

The band’s long-standing support of Palestine has seen them loudly broadcast their message via social media and high-profile TV appearances. In their Cover feature for NME last year, they made their stance against what they call Israel’s “occupation and genocide” of Gaza clear, and went on to help raise nearly £100,000 for a volunteer gym in the Aida Refugee Camp in Palestine.

More recently, they hit out at Israel for breaking the Gaza ceasefire in a “slaughter” against the “most vulnerable people on earth”. It followed the ‘Better Way To Live’ artists slamming the Prime Minister of Ireland, calling Micheál Martin a “lick-arse” and “scumbag” after his recent visit to the White House to meet US President Donald Trump.

Elsewhere on the night Lady Gaga performed a theatrical five-act set and A. G. Cook brought out Danny Brown, performing a host of tracks before remixing Charli XCX’s ‘Party 4 U’.

Green Day‘s Billie Joe Armstrong also joined The Go-Go‘s on stage for a performance of their 1984 hit single ‘Head Over Heels’.

Later today (April 12) there Travis Scott, Green Day, Charli XCX, Jimmy Eat World, Clairo, Japanese Breakfast, Sam Fender, Weezer and many more will perform.

YouTube will be livestreaming the festival via the Coachella YouTube channel. Coachella 2024 was headlined by Lana Del Rey, Doja Cat and Tyler, The Creator and also saw the return of No Doubt.

The post Kneecap respond to claims their Coachella stream was cut over anti-Thatcher chant appeared first on NME.