Woman Livestreaming Kneecap’s Glastonbury Set Faces "Obscene" Online Abuse

TikTok livestreamer of Kneecap's Glastonbury set shares experiences of harsh abuse amid band's controversial performance.

Kneecap’s Glastonbury Performance Sparks Controversy and Online Abuse

The Irish rap trio Kneecap took the stage at Worthy Farm during Glastonbury 2025, delivering one of the festival's most talked-about performances. Despite the anticipation, their appearance was marred by political controversy, with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly calling for their removal from the lineup.

Due to the controversies surrounding the band, the BBC withdrew their live coverage of Kneecap's set just hours before it began. This left many fans scrambling for alternative ways to watch, with a significant number tuning in to a TikTok livestream from a fan near the front of the crowd.

The Woman Behind the TikTok Stream Opens Up About Abuse

Helen Wilson, a yoga teacher from Swansea who livestreamed the set, has now spoken about the "obscene" abuse she has received online following her broadcast. In an interview, Helen revealed the intense trolling and hateful comments she encountered, including personal insults.

“I have had a lot of trolling. When you rang, I was just in the middle of deleting some obscene comments off my business Facebook page. There was somebody on Instagram just saying he sent me a message saying: ‘You’re just a wrinkled old woman looking for attention.’” – Helen Wilson

She also shared that some individuals have gone as far as labeling her a “Nazi,” though she emphasized that the positive support she received far outweighs the negativity.

Why Helen Decided to Stream the Controversial Set

Helen explained her motivations for livestreaming Kneecap’s performance, which was not broadcast by the BBC.

“This is about the genocide in Palestine, and this is about the failure of our government to act, to do anything about it,” she said.

“I just thought, I’m just going to livestream it because the BBC aren’t showing it. And I really disagreed with that. I did not think for a moment that over 2 million people would see it.”

She added, “More people need to know what is going on in Palestine. And we shouldn’t be censoring bands under freedom of speech, full stop. We shouldn’t be censoring anybody who is trying to raise awareness of the atrocities that are taking place.”

Watch: Kneecap’s Glastonbury Performance Livestreamed on TikTok

Experience the energy of Kneecap’s set with this clip from their Glastonbury 2025 performance:

Legal Investigations and Political Backlash Surround the Band

Kneecap’s politically charged set included direct criticism of political figures, notably Keir Starmer. Their outspoken support for Palestine has led to investigations by several police forces.

• Avon and Somerset Police are investigating the Glastonbury set along with Bob Vylan’s, who also faced scrutiny under possible criminal charges.
• London’s Metropolitan Police launched two investigations:
  • One into band member Mo Chara allegedly shouting “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” and displaying a Hezbollah flag on stage. Mo Chara appeared in court and was granted unconditional bail.
  • Another into alleged on-stage comments including “the only good Tory is a dead Tory,” for which the band will not face further action.

Despite the allegations, Kneecap has consistently denied supporting Hamas or Hezbollah, condemning violence and describing the legal proceedings as "a carnival of distraction."

Kneecap Joins Forces with Fontaines D.C. at Finsbury Park

Shortly after Glastonbury, Kneecap shared the stage with Fontaines D.C. frontman Grian Chatten at London's Finsbury Park, performing ‘Better Way To Live’. They humorously remarked on the change of scene:

“Nice to be back in London and not be up in court.” – Kneecap

Conclusion

The story of Helen Wilson’s TikTok livestream of Kneecap’s Glastonbury set highlights the powerful intersection of music, politics, and social media. It raises important questions about censorship, freedom of speech, and the role of platforms in shaping public discourse. What do you think about livestreaming politically charged performances when official broadcasts are pulled? Is it a necessary form of protest, or does it add fuel to controversy?

FAQs

• What caused the BBC to pull the live coverage of Kneecap’s Glastonbury set?
  The BBC withdrew coverage due to the controversies surrounding the band’s political statements and the backlash they received, including calls for their removal from the lineup.
• Who is Helen Wilson and why did she livestream the set?
  Helen is a yoga teacher from Swansea who livestreamed Kneecap’s performance on TikTok because the BBC did not broadcast it. She wanted to raise awareness about political issues, particularly related to Palestine.
• What kind of abuse did the livestreamer face online?
  Helen received numerous offensive comments, including personal insults and being falsely labeled as a Nazi, though she also received much more support than negativity.
• Are there any ongoing investigations related to Kneecap’s performances?
  Yes, multiple police forces are investigating incidents involving alleged support for terrorist groups and inflammatory statements made during performances.
• Did Kneecap respond to the accusations and investigations?
  The band denies supporting any violent groups and describe the legal actions against them as distractions from their message of protest and awareness.

Ready to showcase your passion for iconic music moments? Shop your favorite album cover posters at our store here and bring legendary performances right into your home!