Sharon Osbourne has laid into Coachella organisers for allowing the Californian festival to become a ‘platform for political expression’ and compromising its ‘moral and spiritual integrity’.
The music mogul, 72, also slammed Kneecap for displaying a series of anti-Israel messages which read “F*** Israel, Free Palestine” during their controversial Coachella set, and called on the US government to revoke their work visas.
The Belfast rap group – which consists of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí – are known for songs that promote Irish republican themes including Get Your Brits Out.
They have also been vocal supporters of Palestine, regularly performing with Palestinian flags on stage and leading ‘Free, Free Palestine’ chants.
The group also targeted American foreign policy at the Coachella gig, claiming the US ‘arms and funds Israel despite their war crimes.’
During their performance, frontman Mo Chara likened Ireland’s colonial history to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Sharon Osbourne, 72, slammed Kneecap for displaying a series of anti-Israel messages which read “F*** Israel, Free Palestine ” during their controversial Coachella set
The Belfast rap group – which consists of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí – are known for songs that promote Irish republican themes including Get Your Brits Out
They have also been vocal supporters of Palestine, regularly performing with Palestinian flags on stage and leading ‘Free, Free Palestine’ chants
The group also targeted American foreign policy at the Coachella gig, claiming the US ‘arms and funds Israel despite their war crimes’
During their performance, frontman Mo Chara likened Ireland’s colonial history to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
‘Palestinians have nowhere to go. This is their f***ing home, and they’re being bombed from the sky,’ he said.
Following their Coachella debut, they will embark on a US tour taking in dates in New York, Kentucky, Nashville, Washington DC and Philadelphia.
They led an anti-Margaret Thatcher chant during their slot last weekend, and Kneecap returned to the festival and performed on the Sonora tent over the weekend.
During the performance, the band displayed projections on a screen behind the stage.
The projections read: ‘Israel is committing genocide against the Palestinian people.’.
‘It is being enabled by the U.S. government who arm and fund Israel despite their war crimes. F*** Israel; free Palestine.’
But Sharon took exception to their political stance, posting one of the Kneecap projections, she wrote: ‘Kneecap, an Irish rap group, took their performance to a different level by incorporating aggressive political statements.’
‘Their actions included projections of anti-Israel messages and hate speech, and this band openly support terrorist organizations.’
Sharon took exception to Kneecap’s political stance, she wrote: ‘Kneecap, an Irish rap group, took their performance to a different level by incorporating aggressive political statements’
Kneecap led an anti-Margaret Thatcher chant during their slot last weekend
‘This behavior raises concerns about the appropriateness of their participation in such a festival and further shows they are booked to play in the USA.’
‘I urge you to join me in advocating for the revocation of Kneecap’s work visa.’
She also heavily criticised Coachella organiser’s Goldenvoice, and questioned whether they were unaware of Kneecap’s protest against the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza.
Osbourne wrote: ‘Reports indicate that Goldenvoice was unaware of Kneecap’s political intentions when they were booked.
‘However, after witnessing their performance during the first weekend, allowing them to perform again the following weekend suggests support of their rhetoric and a lack of due diligence.’
But according to Scooter Braun, who was involved with organising an exhibit to the victims of the October 7th attacks at the Nova Music Festival in Israel, Coachella founder Paul Tollett was blindsided by the anti-Israel group.
But the Black Sabbath manager questioned this, posting: ‘Goldenvoice’s claim of being “blindsided” by Kneecap’s performance seems implausible given the circumstances. I know for a fact that certain people in the industry had written to Goldenvoice, airing their concerns around the booking of Kneecap.’
Braun also said that his friend Tollet had attended the exhibition and had been moved to tears by the attacks by Hamas.
But Osbourne fired back: ‘If Tollett visited the Nova exhibit, he would have seen the portraits of every person that was killed that day and heard some of their voices on cell phone recordings, sent home to their loved ones.’
‘It is difficult to comprehend how if somebody saw this exhibit firsthand that they could book a band on their festival that is in support of what was done that day and supports the group responsible for this mass murder. Not one IDF solider was killed that day, just 1400 innocent civilians.’
She also heavily criticised Coachella organiser’s Goldenvoice, and questioned whether they were unaware of Kneecap’s protest against the Israeli government’s actions in Gaza
Kneecap attending the British Academy Film Awards, at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre in February 2025
The former X Factor judge, who has Ashkenazi Jewish heritage, also took aim at Kneecpa’s agent the Independent Artists Groups, who has numerous staff of Jewish heritage.
She wrote: ‘It is disheartening that they have not used their positions to prevent the promotion of such controversial messages. Shame on them.’
Kneecap have claimed that Coachella organisers censored its anti-Israel visuals from the festival’s livestream. The allegation has not been independently verified.
Nova festival survivors also released a statement, saying: ‘This past weekend at Coachella, the band Kneecap shared messaging that deeply hurt many in our community — an affront made even more painful in light of the massacre that took place at the Nova Music Festival on October 7.
‘The Nova community was built on the ideals of peace, freedom, and unity through music. Our festival was a space where people came together across cultures and beliefs to celebrate life. That’s why we believe that even in the face of ignorance or provocation, our response must be rooted in empathy, not hate.
‘We invite the members of Kneecap to visit the Nova Exhibition and experience firsthand the stories of those who were murdered, those who survived, and those who are still being held hostage. Not to shame or silence — but to connect. To witness. To understand.’
Osbourne also said that the Californian desert festival – which saw the likes of Lady Gaga and Travis Scott perform – had ‘compromised its moral and spiritual integrity’.
She said: ‘Goldenvoice, the festival organizer, facilitated this by allowing artists to use the Coachella stage as a platform for political expression.’
‘At a time when the world is experiencing significant unrest, music should serve as an escape, not a stage for political discourse.’
‘While festivals like Coachella showcase remarkable talent from around the globe, music’s primary purpose is to unite people.’
‘It should not be a venue for promoting terrorist organizations or spreading hate.’
