French town withdraws Rock-en-Seine music festival funding over Kneecap booking

(left to right) Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh (Mo Chara) wearing a keffiyeh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin (Móglaí Bap), and J. J. Ó Dochartaigh ( DJ Próvaí) from Kneecap performing on stage at London's Finsbury Park. Picture: Jeff Moore/PA Wire

The municipal authority for the Paris suburb of Saint-Cloud, which hosts the annual Rock-en-Seine music festival, has decided to withdraw a €40,000 subsidy for the event due to its booking of Irish rap band Kneecap, it said on Thursday.

The Belfast-based Kneecap has drawn criticism because it has displayed pro-Palestine messages during gigs. It is scheduled to play on the final day of the Rock-en-Seine festival, which takes place from August 21 to August 24.