Sharon Osbourne has issued a prolonged assertion lambasting the band Kneecap and the organizers of Coachella for the Northern Eire hip-hop act’s anti-Israel messaging on the California pageant over the weekend. She even went as far as to name for the revocation of Kneecap’s work visas.
Throughout their set on the second weekend of Coachella this previous Friday (April 18th), Kneecap had the phrases “Fuck Israel, Free Palestine” projected on the massive display screen behind them. Different messaging included, “Israel is committing genocide towards the Palestinian folks … It’s being enabled by the US authorities who arm and fund Israel regardless of their battle crimes.”
Paul Tollett, the CEO of Coachella organizer Goldenvoice, acknowledged that he was “blindsided” by Kneecap’s actions, however that didn’t cease Osbourne from blasting Goldenvoice together with Kneecap, with some criticism aimed toward Inexperienced Day, as nicely. Her full assertion reads as follows:
“Coachella 2025 can be remembered as a pageant that compromised its ethical and religious integrity. Goldenvoice, the pageant organizer, facilitated this by permitting artists to make use of the Coachella stage as a platform for political expression. At a time when the world is experiencing vital unrest, music ought to function an escape, not a stage for political discourse. Whereas festivals like Coachella showcase exceptional expertise from across the globe, music’s main objective is to unite folks. It shouldn’t be a venue for selling terrorist organizations or spreading hate. Inexperienced Day, a band I personally admire, selected to share their views on the Center East throughout their Coachella efficiency. Whereas I respect their proper to precise their opinions, such discussions would have been extra applicable at their very own live performance, not at a pageant. Kneecap, an Irish rap group, took their efficiency to a distinct stage by incorporating aggressive political statements. Their actions included projections of anti-Israel messages and hate speech, and this band brazenly help terrorist organizations. This conduct raises issues in regards to the appropriateness of their participation in such a pageant and additional reveals they’re booked to play within the USA. Studies point out that Goldenvoice was unaware of Kneecap’s political intentions once they have been booked. Nevertheless, after witnessing their efficiency in the course of the first weekend, permitting them to carry out once more the next weekend suggests help of their rhetoric and a scarcity of due diligence. Scooter Braun, who has been concerned in organizing the Nova Music Pageant exhibit—a tribute to the victims of the October seventh assaults in Israel—has defended Goldenvoice CEO Paul Tollett as he attended the Nova Exhibit. If Tollett visited the Nova exhibit, he would have seen the portraits of each individual that was killed that day and heard a few of their voices on cellular phone recordings, despatched residence to their family members. It’s troublesome to understand how if anyone noticed this exhibit firsthand that they may e-book a band on their pageant that’s in help of what was performed that day and helps the group accountable for this mass homicide. Not one IDF solider was killed that day, simply 1400 harmless civilians. Moreover, the Unbiased Artists Group, which represents Kneecap, contains people of Jewish heritage. It’s disheartening that they haven’t used their positions to forestall the promotion of such controversial messages. Disgrace on them. As somebody with each Irish Catholic on my Moms facet and Ashkenazi Jewish heritage on my Fathers facet, and intensive expertise within the music business, I perceive the complexities concerned. Goldenvoice’s declare of being “blindsided” by Kneecap’s efficiency appears implausible given the circumstances. I do know for a indisputable fact that sure folks within the business had written to Goldenvoice, airing their issues across the reserving of Kneecap. I urge you to affix me in advocating for the revocation of Kneecap’s work visa.”
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Osbourne’s message was met with help by Disturbed singer David Draiman, who’s Jewish and has lengthy been pro-Israel. He wrote, “A lot love my pal, and thanks.” Draiman beforehand criticized Kneecap a couple of days earlier, posting an image of himself holding up his center finger, and writing, “Right here’s some uncensored messaging for you pathetic, advantage signaling morons. Am Yisrael Chai sweethearts.”
Others criticized Osbourne’s stance, with one individual writing, “Lest we remind you that your husband made his hundreds of thousands from the anti-war protest tune ‘Warfare Pigs’? You’ve develop into what you hated.”
See the X/Twitter posts from Sharon Osbourne and David Draiman beneath.
Coachella 2025 can be remembered as a pageant that compromised its ethical and religious integrity. Goldenvoice, the pageant organizer, facilitated this by permitting artists to make use of the Coachella stage as a platform for political expression. At a time when the world is… pic.twitter.com/moqSVyC2hs
— Sharon Osbourne (@MrsSOsbourne) April 22, 2025
Right here’s some uncensored messaging for you pathetic, advantage signaling morons.
Am Yisrael Chai sweethearts 😉🇮🇱❤️ pic.twitter.com/lLptrLSh7d
— David Draiman 🟦🎗️🇺🇸🇮🇱✡️☮️ (@davidmdraiman) April 19, 2025
