Irish rap trio Kneecap have canceled their upcoming U.S. tour after one of their members, Mo Chara, was ordered to appear in a London court in late September on terrorism-related charges. The group, known for mixing political satire with hard-hitting rap in both Irish and English, had been scheduled to begin a sold-out run of American shows on October 1 in New York City.

The cancellation comes just weeks before Mo Chara, whose real name is Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, is set to appear in court on September 26. He faces charges under the U.K.’s Terrorism Act for allegedly displaying a flag associated with Hezbollah during a past performance in London. Displaying symbols connected to banned organizations is considered a criminal offense in Britain.

Ó hAnnaidh and his bandmates have consistently denied the allegations, stating that they neither support nor have ever supported groups such as Hezbollah or Hamas. In previous public comments, the rapper called the charges “politically motivated” and part of a wider effort to silence dissenting voices in the arts. Kneecap have long drawn attention for their outspoken political stance, using their music and live performances to criticize British rule in Northern Ireland, champion Irish identity, and increasingly, speak out against global conflicts.

In their statement announcing the cancellations, the group expressed disappointment but emphasized that they believe they will prevail in court. “With every show fully sold out this is news we are sad to deliver. But once we win our court case, which we will, we promise to embark on an even bigger tour to all you great heads,” the band said. Ticket holders for the canceled dates will be able to obtain refunds at the point of purchase.

While all U.S. dates have been scrapped, Kneecap confirmed that their Canadian shows will go ahead as planned. The group has four sold-out concerts booked in Vancouver and Toronto this fall.

The controversy surrounding Kneecap has intensified over the past year as the group’s profile has grown internationally. In April, they performed at Coachella, one of the world’s largest music festivals, where they made headlines by defending Palestine and condemning Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. The conflict has drawn global attention since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, which killed over a thousand people and set off a war that has since claimed more than 60,000 Palestinian lives, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Humanitarian organizations have warned of mass starvation in the territory as the war drags on.

At Glastonbury in June, Kneecap continued their pointed political messaging. On stage, they criticized Israel, condemned what they described as “genocide,” and led the crowd in a vulgar chant aimed at British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The performance prompted a police investigation, though authorities ultimately dropped the matter in July, stating there was “insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction for any offence.”

The canceled tour represented an important opportunity for Kneecap, who have built a reputation in Europe for both their music and their provocative politics. Their planned American shows had sold out quickly, signaling strong interest from U.S. audiences. The cancellation, while a setback, may also intensify the group’s visibility in North America, particularly among fans who see them as cultural provocateurs unafraid to take political risks.

For now, the trio’s immediate future hinges on Mo Chara’s legal case in London. If acquitted, Kneecap have pledged to return to the United States with what they describe as “an even bigger tour.”