Irish band Kneecap celebrated their Coachella debut by marking another significant occasion – the 12 year death anniversary of former prime minister Margaret Thatcher
Rap sensations Kneecap made their Coachella debut yesterday and led an anti-Thatcher chant while on stage.
The band from Belfast, N. Ireland, took to the stage yesterday for day one of the iconic festival. As well as celebrating their first huge Californian stage, the bandmates decided to celebrate something else – the death anniversary of former prime minister, Margaret Thatcher, who passed away April 8 2013.
The group, comprising of Mo Chara, DJ Provai and Moglai Bap, hit the Sonora stage at 6.10pm local time. Halfway through their set, the group led crowds to recite a rendition of an anti-Margaret Thatcher song to the tune of KC and the Sunshine Band’s 1983 hit Give It Up.
With the group members mocking the former Prime Minister’s 2013 death by chanting ‘Maggie’s in a Box,’ they were joined by thousands of festival-goers belting out the phrase.
However, during the chant, the live stream of the Coachella set went down due to temporary censorship. While some found the chant amusing, others couldn’t help but suggest one thing – the Americans had no clue who she was.
One Reddit user mused: “How much would the average Coachella audience member know about 1980s British politics? Like how well known is she to younger generations? In the UK her legacy is known and debated but in the US?”
Another added: “Hipster festival in California, Irish band, chanting about someone who died 12 years ago and resigned 34 years ago. Why bother?”
A user on X noted: “Kneecap gettin the crowd to sing ‘Maggie’s in a box’ at Coachella,” with several laughing faces. A fourth wrote: “Kneecap getting a bunch of Americans to pop for ‘Margaret Thatcher is still dead’ then sing ‘Maggie’s in a box’ is crazy.”
However, many disagreed. Someone retorted: “If you think Thatcher’s actions don’t still have an impact in Ireland today, then you don’t know what you’re on about.” Another added: “It’s not exactly controversial to dislike Thatcher.”
Some watching from home claimed the stream dropped out as they chanted. “Did Coachella just censor Kneecap for singing Maggie’s in a box omg,” said someone online.
It’s unclear if the stream drop was intentional or just a well-timed glitch. The Daily Star has reached out to Coachella for comment.
Last year during an interview with PoliticsJoe, the band were shown a social media post that said: “Mrs Thatcher will be remembered long after Kneecap are forgotten.”
“That’s true. She’ll be remembered as a c***,” Móglaí Bap replied as Mo Chara added: “She’ll be remembered as a brutal b******.”
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
