Thank you for the article on Kneecap, the Northern Irish rappers, who since a controversial set at a California festival last month stand accused of promoting violence (“Ludovic Hunter-Tilney on punk protest and hate speech”, Pop, Life & Arts, May 3).
I was 16 when the Sex Pistols released “God Save the Queen” and remember playing it on the day of the Jubilee 25 times, much to my parents’ disgust. The controversy about Kneecap’s behaviours and performances seems very similar and although I can’t say I have heard a single line of their songs I welcome the debate that has resulted. Sadly most of it seems ill-informed and rather “knee-jerk” in content. Hunter-Tilney’s article on the other hand adds information, clarification and context — surely the job of any responsible journalist.
Dr Jullien Walkley
Manchester, UK
