The hip-hop group Kneecap held a surprise gig in London on Thursday evening (May 22) before being shut down by police. Officers were seen entering the 100 Club on Oxford Street, where the Irish group was performing. The news comes after 27-year-old rapper Liam O’Hanna, who is a member of the band, was charged with a terror offence.

Liam, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged by the Met Police after an incident on 21 November 2024. He allegedly displayed a Hezbollah flag at the O2 Forum in Kentish Town. Kneecap said they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah.

According to The BBC, police officers were pictured standing outside the Oxford Street event in central London, which the band said on X had sold out in 90 seconds.

Despite the backlash and police charges, the Belfast group are due to perform at the Glastonbury Festival next month. They initially said they would perform at the 100 Club on Friday night (May 23) ahead of their headline slot at the Wide Awake Festival in Brockwell Park.

In a social media post, they wrote: “London. We’re back. See you at The 100 Club tonight—tickets on sale in one hour at 4 p.m.”

According to the publication, the Met Police said: “This is primarily in terms of managing visitors to the venue for what we understand is a spontaneous and sold-out event. There have been no issues or arrests.”

Officers from the Metropolitan Police’s Counter Terrorism Command launched a probe after they were made aware of Liam’s alleged incident. They viewed footage from the gig in Kentish Town last month and conducted an investigation.

Liam O’Hanna is set to appear in Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 18 June. A Metropolitan Police spokesperson stated at the time: “A man has been charged with a terrorism offence following an investigation by the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command.”

Officers were also made aware of another video, which is believed to be from a music event in London in November 2023. Kneecap has also previously cme under fire after a video emerged appearing to show them allegedly calling for the deaths of MPs.

The group – also made up of Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh – apologised to the families of murdered MPs. Counter terror cops are still probing this alleged incident.