Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism, Sport, and North Wales, Gareth Davies MS, has renewed his call for Kneecap to be removed from the Green Man Festival lineup following the announcement that a member of the group has been charged with terror-related offences.
Mr Davies previously wrote to the festival’s Chair and Managing Director, Fiona Stewart, on 28th April 2025 raising serious concerns about the group’s inclusion. His letter highlighted reports of the group publicly calling for violence against Members of Parliament and expressing apparent support for proscribed terrorist organisations, including the display of a Hezbollah flag.
He warned that platforming such a group risked damaging the festival’s reputation, increasing community tensions, and sending the message that violent rhetoric is acceptable at major public events in Wales. More than three weeks later, the organisers have not responded to Mr Davies’ request.
In 2019, the Green Man Festival removed Welsh Language singer Meic Stevens from its lineup following anti-Muslim comments. Mr Davies has now urged the organisers to act with consistency and uphold the festival’s stated values by removing Kneecap from this year’s programme.
Commenting, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism, Sport, and North Wales, Gareth Davies MS said:
“It’s deeply concerning that Green Man have remained silent even after terror charges have been brought against a member of this group.
“There is a clear pattern of violent and extremist rhetoric associated with Kneecap that has no place at a respected cultural event in Wales.
“The festival has acted swiftly in the past to deplatform other performers for offensive comments that fell short of criminality, so they must act now and demonstrate consistency.
“Removing the group from the lineup will protect its reputation and show a zero-tolerance stance toward extremism and violence.”