Kneecap 'thank' First Minister John Swinney as Glasgow OVO Hydro show sells out in hours

Kneecap have issued a “very special thank you” to Scotland’s First Minister after tickets for their first ever OVO Hydro show sold out in hours.

In a social media post, the band said: “Glasgow SOLD OUT in a few hours.

“A very special thank you to our Head of PR in Scotland Mr John Swinney….best in the business.”

Earlier this week, the controversial rap group announced their “biggest run of shows ever” across Scotland, Wales and England.

Tickets for the Kneecap’s O2 Academy show earlier in July sold out in just over a minute after the group were axed from the TRNSMT line up.

John Swinney previously said comments made by the band were “unacceptable” after a video at a 2023 gig appeared to show one member saying: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”

Rapper Mo Chara has also been accused of terrorism offences related to a Hezbollah flag he allegedly held up on stage.

The First Minister called for them to be axed from the Scottish music festival as a result, and their cancellation came after safety concerns were raised by Police Scotland.

During Kneecap’s O2 Academy show earlier this month, Mo Chara, whose real name is Liam O hAnnaidh, asked the crowd: “What’s your First Minister’s name?”

He then added: “They stopped us playing TRNSMT but they can’t stop us playing Glasgow.”

Swinney later said that he “welcomes” the band performing in Scotland, adding: “They’ve got to make their contribution to the music scene.”

The Belfast group, who perform in Irish, have been an outspoken critic of the war in Gaza and said the ongoing Met Office investigation is linked to their views on Palestine.

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Kneecap to face no further action from police after Glastonbury performance

The investigation was announced in June after officers reviewed video footage and audio recordings from the sets of Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan.

The group were investigated by Avon and Somerset Police after a member of Kneecap suggested during their Glastonbury set that fans “start a riot” outside O hAnnaidh’s upcoming court appearance, before clarifying: “No riots, just love and support.”

Police said on Friday it will be taking “no further action” due to “insufficient evidence”.

Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the band’s comments were “clearly inciting violence”.

The group have said they have been a target of “political policing” in the UK.