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Saint-Cloud Withdraws €40,000 Rock-en-Seine Subsidy Over Kneecap Booking

The decision follows legal scrutiny of lead singer Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who faces terrorism charges for allegedly displaying a Hezbollah flag.

Kneecap performs at Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm in Pilton, Somerset, Britain, June 28, 2025. REUTERS/Jaimi Joy/File Photo
Kneecap singer Mo Chara -- French town Saint Cloud has withdrawn its subsidy for one of France's biggest festivals because of the group's appearance

Overview

  • The Saint-Cloud municipal authority announced on July 3 that it would withdraw the €40,000 cultural subsidy originally earmarked for this year’s Rock-en-Seine festival.
  • Kneecap remain on the lineup for the festival’s closing night on August 24 despite the loss of city funding.
  • In May, lead singer Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, known by his stage name Mo Chara, was charged under Britain’s Terrorism Act and must face court proceedings days before the performance.
  • British counterterrorism officers are probing videos from Kneecap concerts that allegedly feature calls for the murder of UK lawmakers.
  • The Belfast-based trio rejects allegations of supporting proscribed groups and maintains its pro-Palestinian visuals as artistic protest, even as other European festivals have removed them from their bills.