Rescheduled Kneecap Glasgow gig sells out pre-sale in seconds

PA Media

Irish musicians Kneecap have sold out the pre-sale for their Glasgow show in 80 seconds after being removed from the TRNSMT festival.

The rap trio announced a rescheduled gig at the city's O2 Academy on 8 July after promoters DF Concerts axed them from the 11 July event at Glasgow Green due to "safety concerns".

The decision came after a member of the Irish language group was charged with a terror offence over the display of a flag in support of proscribed organisation Hezbollah at a London gig in November last year.

Police Scotland said they had "passed on information from the public around safety concerns" to the promoters, but added it was DF Concerts' decision to remove them from the bill.

The band were also criticised over footage from a concert in 2023 appearing to show one member saying: "The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP."

The group are still due to perform at the Glastonbury festival on 28 June.

Kneecap said the speed of the sale was a "new record" in a statement on X and added that the general sale, which begins on Saturday at 10:00, is also expected to sell out "in seconds".

Ticketmaster has been asked by the BBC what percentage of tickets available for the concert are pre-sale tickets but it is believed to be just a small number.

The group were taken off the TRNSMT bill on Wednesday.

They apologised to fans for the decision, which they said was "out of [our] hands".

The group added: "Glasgow has always been a huge city for us. We've played there many, many times, with no issues - ever. Make of that what you will."

DF Concerts said: "Due to concerns expressed by the police about safety at the event, Kneecap will no longer perform at TRNSMT on Friday, 11 July.

"We thank fans for their understanding."

A Police Scotland spokesman there was "no prior consultation" between the force and DF Concerts over which acts were booked.

He added: "Officers have highlighted the potential reaction of such a large audience to this band would require a significant policing operation in order to support the delivery of a safe event.

"We have also passed on information from the public around safety concerns to allow organisers to make an informed decision on the running of the festival."