Johnny Marr has defended Northern Irish rap trio Kneecap towards latest calls to censor the group’s upcoming efficiency on the UK’s Glastonbury Pageant. In an announcement, the previous Smiths guitarist advocated for the fitting of all musicians to “communicate out towards injustice.” He additionally clarified his personal stance on associated points, expressly stating that he stands with these calling for an finish to the atrocities in Gaza and a free Palestine.
“After studying that calls have been made for Kneecap to be censored throughout their Glastonbury set, I feel it’s vital that I make my very own place clear,” Marr wrote. “I’ve performed Glastonbury many occasions and the competition has all the time had a political side. It was based as a spot of free expression and political activism and it’s a proven fact that I agreed to play there with the Smiths in 1984 purely as a result of to take action on the time was a political act.”
He continued, “We live by way of very troubling occasions, however for anybody who’s been inquisitive about me or my music over the past 40 years, I really feel like my political stance has all the time been very clear. Oppression fears inventive expression. I respect all musicians who use their platform to talk out towards injustice, who promote compassion and equality and provides voice to the unvoiced.”
“I stand with my viewers and fellow musicians who name for a direct finish to the atrocities and a free Palestine,” Marr concluded.
Kneecap are slated to play Glastonbury on June twenty eighth.