Kneecap Glasgow gig sells out pre-sale tickets in seconds after group axed from TRNSMT

A Kneecap gig in Glasgow announced after the band was removed from the TRNSMT line-up has sold out pre-sale in seconds.

The Irish rap trio was due to perform on July 11 at the festival in Glasgow Green but were axed by organisers over “safety concerns”.

The band confirmed on Wednesday that they would not be appearing at the event despite “playing in Glasgow many times with no issues”.

Apologising to fans, they said the decision was “out of their hands”.

“To the thousands of people who bought tickets, flights, and hotels to see us play, we are sorry…it is out of our hands”, they said on social media.

“Glasgow has always been a huge city for us. We’ve played there many, many times, with no issues – ever. Make of that what you will.”

The band announced a replacement show at Glasgow’s O2 Academy on July 8, with pre-sale tickets selling out in seconds on Thursday.

Kneecap said on X: “The pre-sale sold out in 80 seconds. New record that – remaining general sale goes up Saturday 10am.

“These will also go in seconds. Fair f**** Glasgow.”

TRNSMT organisers DF Concerts told ticketholders: “Due to concerns expressed by the police about safety at the event, Kneecap will no longer perform at TRNSMT on Friday, July 11.”

Police Scotland said that while decisions on the festival line-up is up to the organisers, they had “highlighted that the potential reaction of such a large audience…would require a significant policing operation”.

A spokesperson added: “Any decision on the line-up at TRNSMT is for the organisers and there was no prior consultation with Police Scotland before acts were booked.

“Officers have highlighted the potential reaction of such a large audience to this band would require a significant policing operation in order to support the delivery of a safe event.

“We have also passed on information from the public around safety concerns to allow organisers to make an informed decision on the running of the festival.”

Calls had been made for the group’s performance to be cancelled following comments made at a gig in 2023.

A video of one member telling the crowd “the only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP”, surfaced after the band displayed pro-Palestine messaging during their set at Coachella festival.

At the end of their performance, Kneecap projected three screens of text stating: “Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people,” followed by: “It is being enabled by the US government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes”.

In the weeks since, Liam O hAnnaidh, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, has been charged with a terror offence over the alleged display of a Hezbollah flag at a gig in November last year.

Performing alongside his bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh, O hAnnaidh said he believed the prosecution was designed to “silence us” and prevent them from playing Glastonbury Festival this summer.

The group has been outspoken on the war on Gaza and regularly displays the message “Free Palestine” at their shows.