Kneecap pay politically driven tribute to Trevor Dietz

By Carla Feric, Press Association Entertainment Reporter

Hip-hop group Kneecap have paid a politically driven tribute to music manager Trevor Dietz during their headline gig at Crystal Palace Park.

The Irish rap trio – made up of Mo Chara, whose real name is Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh; Naoise Ó Cairealláin; and JJ Ó Dochartaigh – is known for their politically driven music and social commentary.

During their show in Croydon on Saturday, the musicians paid tribute to the widely celebrated manager Dietz, who died suddenly on June 7th, aged 47.

Dietz, nicknamed Trevor Radiator, was best known for managing rock band Fontaines DC.

He was also an influential figure in Dublin nightlife who worked as a club promoter and DJ in the city.

On screens next to the stage, an image of Dietz wearing a white t-shirt that read “f*** Israel” was shown, while crowds of fans wearing balaclavas with the Irish tricolour flag watched on.

The group, who are known for its politically driven music and social commentary, accompanied the tribute with an image of the Palestinian flag shown on the screen behind them.

Over the flag, text read: “Trevor forever. Trevor Radiator Dietz, 1979 – 2026.”

Kneecap also shared snaps of the tribute on their social media shortly after appearing onstage.

The rap trio were among the stars paying tribute to the beloved music manager on social media after his death, writing “Suaimhneas síoraí dá anam, a chara” under Fontaines DC’s post, which is translated from Gaeilge as “Rest in peace, friend”.

Beyond his impact on the music industry, Dietz was widely known as a campaigner for Palestinian human rights and for justice.

Kneecap are also highly vocal about their pro-Palestinian activism, having generated controversy during their appearance at Coachella Festival last year, where they showed messages accusing Israel of genocide.

They recently hit out at British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his stance towards Gaza in their recent single Liars Tale, accusing him of being “nothing but a Tory” and of pandering to the US.

The controversial group also hit the headlines in 2025 when Ó hAnnaidh, 28, was charged with a terror offence.

The charge, which was subsequently dropped in September last year, alleged that Ó hAnnaidh had displayed a flag in support of Hezbollah, which is proscribed as a terror organisation by the British Government, at a gig at the O2 Forum in London in 2024.

In March, the High Court rejected a Crown Prosecution Service appeal against the decision to throw out the case, which also saw prosecutors allege that the rapper could be heard saying “up Hamas, up Hezbollah” in video footage of the concert.