Sziget 2025

[Tinsel19]

A lot of outlets (government aligned ones...) reporting this morning that Kneecap will not be permitted entry into Hungary.

[activean]

24 minutes ago, #1SzigetFan said:

I hope that the sound will be of a higher quality at the new A38/Revolut stage. The former tent had pretty bad acoustics for guitar acts.

I'm thinking it may be a reason behind it. 

The red tent was great looking landmark in the middle of the island, but acoustically it was quite poor. 

 

I wonder what the new electronic tent will be like. 

[So Sad Simon]

14 minutes ago, Tinsel19 said:

A lot of outlets (government aligned ones...) reporting this morning that Kneecap will not be permitted entry into Hungary.

FFS. Why does that not surprise me.

 

If that's the case, I hope they replace them and don't just 'shuffle things around a bit.'

[CCester]

1 hour ago, So Sad Simon said:

FFS. Why does that not surprise me.

 

If that's the case, I hope they replace them and don't just 'shuffle things around a bit.'

It’s official, they are banned.

 

[Daniele82]

Do you know if this year it will be possible to collect bracelets in the center from August 5th?

[thetime]

35 minutes ago, CCester said:

It’s official, they are banned.

 

 

One less for a heavy Monday... 

 

This late in the day, could be a case of elevating another act from the current lineup. Hopefully they see sense and put Kingfishr in that spot. 

[kristofm]

1 hour ago, CCester said:

It’s official, they are banned.

 

"Hate speech" yeah, except when his crew in their TV is talking about how the execution of gay people in Uganda is "good news" and a "brave act" is fine, and there are no consequences.

 

Btw I think this is not as bad for the organizers, they were being asked constantly about this for months, now don't have the responsibility anymore, one less problem for them to deal with, i guess.

 

 

[sandorbeni]

6 minutes ago, kristofm said:

Btw I think this is not as bad for the organizers, they were being asked constantly about this for months, now don't have the responsibility anymore, one less problem for them to deal with, i guess.

 

 

Yeah I agree. The organizers can say that they stood their ground and only had to cancel because of outside forces, while the other side is happy that Kneecap won't perform.

 

It only sucks for those of us who were interested to see them.

[CCester]

38 minutes ago, kristofm said:

"Hate speech" yeah, except when his crew in their TV is talking about how the execution of gay people in Uganda is "good news" and a "brave act" is fine, and there are no consequences.

 

Btw I think this is not as bad for the organizers, they were being asked constantly about this for months, now don't have the responsibility anymore, one less problem for them to deal with, i guess.

 

 

They want to keep the exclusive rights to spread the hate.

 

Anyhow, this is the best (not good, but all the other possibilities were worse I think) outcome for Sziget, pretty strong message previously about free speech and not canceling them and now they don’t have to worry about Kneecap doing something stupid on stage which would then be magnified by pro government outlets to support the negative picture they have about Kneecap and Sziget.

Edited July 24, 2025 by CCester

[Newjem]

They might also have to look for a replacement for Ecca Vandal. She cancelled her shows in Slovakia (9/8) and Czechia (12/8).

[So Sad Simon]

Kneecap out according to Sziget Facebook.

[CCester]

Official statement from Sziget:

[Emjane]

This has actually put such a sour taste in my mouth 

[Mondo-kun]

Calling Fontaines D.C. as a replacement would be an incredible move (a man can dream). 

[sandorbeni]

11 minutes ago, Mondo-kun said:

Calling Fontaines D.C. as a replacement would be an incredible move (a man can dream). 

That would be a power move, although they performed last year.

[thetime]

15 minutes ago, Mondo-kun said:

Calling Fontaines D.C. as a replacement would be an incredible move (a man can dream). 

 

Leaving the stage empty and playing kneecap songs, that would be good. 😃

[CCester]

23 minutes ago, Mondo-kun said:

Calling Fontaines D.C. as a replacement would be an incredible move (a man can dream). 

I would love that. My first thought was  Bob Vylan, they performed before Kneecap at Glastonbury and had some interesting thoughts about the whole situation.

[billybigballs]

1 hour ago, Mondo-kun said:

Calling Fontaines D.C. as a replacement would be an incredible move (a man can dream). 

Nothing But Thieves are only a few hundred miles away the night before too. Would love it to be them.

[Arnolf]

So I don't understand from Sziget post for me it sounds like kneecap will be performing, but comments are saying that they don't. Could someone clarify on that?

Thank you.

[CCester]

4 minutes ago, Arnolf said:

So I don't understand from Sziget post for me it sounds like kneecap will be performing, but comments are saying that they don't. Could someone clarify on that?

Thank you.

They’d be arrested on the spot if they did. The statement is just to clarify that the government f**ked it up and they have a very different opinion about the matter.

[billybigballs]

16 minutes ago, Arnolf said:

So I don't understand from Sziget post for me it sounds like kneecap will be performing, but comments are saying that they don't. Could someone clarify on that?

Thank you.

They can't play if they're banned from entering the country. 

 

To be honest, reading the comments on Sziget's socials, I'm kind of glad they're not playing now. Their presence, and people's reaction to it, is creating a really negative, antagonistic, vibe around such a positive and beautiful festival.

 

I'm not blind to the issues with them appearing/not appearing and censorship - but if they do play then the mood around them being there is going to be pretty grim. On a day when Queenz are on the mainstage, followed by Chappell, the tent will almost certainly turn into an 'us versus them' scenario. I doubt it would be a pleasant way to end the festival.

 

To end this, I'd like to highlight I am absolutely pro their views (well, the majority of them!) but sometimes you need to pick your fights and if I was Sziget, I'd move on and book a decent replacement - and then have Fontaines and Kneecap as headliner and sub next year when the furore dies down.

 

 

Edited July 24, 2025 by billybigballs

[thetime]

1 minute ago, billybigballs said:

 I'm kind of glad they're not playing now. Their presence, and people's reaction to it, is creating a really negative, antagonistic, vibe around such a positive and beautiful festival.I doubt it would be a pleasant way to end the festival.

 

Echo this. 

 

Was already 50/50 if I was going to watch, the vibe could of been a bit off. That being said, theyve played a few European festivals recently with no issues. 

 

Im around the area anyway, as I really want to see Brutalismus 3000.

[So Sad Simon]

5 minutes ago, billybigballs said:

They can't play if they're banned from entering the country. 

 

To be honest, reading the comments on Sziget's socials, I'm kind of glad they're not playing now. Their presence, and people's reaction to it, is creating a really negative, antagonistic, vibe around such a positive and beautiful festival.

 

I'm not blind to the issues with them appearing/not appearing and censorship - but if they do play then the mood around them being there is going to be pretty grim. On a day when Queenz are on the mainstage, followed by Chappell, the tent will almost certainly turn into an 'us versus them' scenario. I doubt it would be a pleasant way to end the festival.

 

To end this, I'd like to highlight I am absolutely pro their views (well, the majority of them!) but sometimes you need to pick your fights and if I was Sziget, I'd move on and book a decent replacement - and then have Fontaines and Kneecap as headliner and sub next year when the furore dies down.

 

 

Agree 100%. And if Sziget management isn't careful then, only two weeks out from the festival beginning, this could become the main focus for media etc. And that could be a bit of an ongoing PR disaster.

[sandorbeni]

17 minutes ago, billybigballs said:

On a day when Queenz are on the mainstage, followed by Chappell

 

 

Wait, Queenz are performing on the main stage? Where did they say that?

[sandorbeni]

21 minutes ago, billybigballs said:

They can't play if they're banned from entering the country. 

 

To be honest, reading the comments on Sziget's socials, I'm kind of glad they're not playing now. Their presence, and people's reaction to it, is creating a really negative, antagonistic, vibe around such a positive and beautiful festival.

 

I'm not blind to the issues with them appearing/not appearing and censorship - but if they do play then the mood around them being there is going to be pretty grim. On a day when Queenz are on the mainstage, followed by Chappell, the tent will almost certainly turn into an 'us versus them' scenario. I doubt it would be a pleasant way to end the festival.

 

To end this, I'd like to highlight I am absolutely pro their views (well, the majority of them!) but sometimes you need to pick your fights and if I was Sziget, I'd move on and book a decent replacement - and then have Fontaines and Kneecap as headliner and sub next year when the furore dies down.

 

 

I think this is probably the perfect take for the situation right now.