KNEE'S ELECTRIC

Showbiz Editor ELECTRIC Picnic boss Melvin Benn has vowed he will not censor Kneecap's performance this weekend.

- BY SANDRA MALLON

The hip-hop trio are set to perform on the main stage at 3.30pm on Saturday and Melvin said it was a "real statement" to have them play at the Stradbally festival.

Up to 80,000 fans are expected to descend on Co Laois with Hozier, Kings of Leon, Chappell Roan and Fatboy Slim also on the bill.

Festival Republic chief Melvin said: "Adding Kneecap was really important for us.

"And, you know, musically, fantastic, but in terms of what's going on in the world, it's really important they add their voice.

"And I will hasten to remind people that they headlined the Hazelwood stage in 2018 so we've had a long history with Kneecap." The Belfast rappers have attracted worldwide attention for their strong views on Palestine, and they are not afraid to speak out about this on stage, including at Glastonbury earlier this summer.

But Melvin said: "No, there's no [censorship] at all.

Mics won't be switched off.

"I mean, they're great kids. They're great lads. They've got really important songs.

"They're brilliant live but they've also got really important messages and, you know, they didn't do anything wrong at Glastonbury." Melvin added that it was "absolutely shocking" that Irish band The Mary Wallopers had their mics "cut off" at the Victorious music festival for displaying a Palestinian flag.

He added: "I'm glad a number of artists then ended up withdrawing as a result of it.

It definitely won't be my policy."

NERVOUS

Melvin said Stradbally feels like it will be the "centre of the world" this weekend.

He added: "It's interesting. You know, listening to the radio this morning and people just talk about Stradbally as though it's the centre of the world this weekend.