Rock royalty Sharon Osbourne isn’t one to stay silent — especially when it comes to what she sees as hate speech being aired at one of the world’s biggest music festivals. This time, her frustration is aimed squarely at Coachella, and more specifically, at the Irish hip-hop group Kneecap, for their bold political statements during their second-weekend performance.
The Firestarter: A Bold On-Stage Message
During their second set at Coachella 2025, Kneecap made headlines by projecting phrases onto the stage’s LED backdrop that read: “Free Palestine”, “Israel is a genocidal state”, and “Ceasefire Now.” These messages were absent during the first weekend of the festival — a detail that has sparked a wave of speculation about possible censorship and the band’s pushback against it.
Kneecap, known for their politically-charged lyrics and anti-establishment stance, reportedly felt their voice was suppressed the first time around and made sure their second shot onstage delivered their message loud and clear.
Sharon’s Sharp Response
Enter Sharon Osbourne, the ever-vocal matriarch of metal, who did not mince words in her reaction to Kneecap’s display.
“What the hell were the organizers of Coachella thinking?” she posted on social media, calling the moment “an obscene and disgusting display of anti-Israel hate speech.” She didn’t stop there, directly naming Paul Tollett (Coachella’s co-founder) and industry heavyweight Scooter Braun, demanding they answer for what she called “an outright act of ignorance.”
For Sharon, it’s not just about being outspoken. She emphasized her personal ties to a diverse heritage, noting she has stood up for many communities during her decades in the music industry. “I have never in my life witnessed such blatant anti-Semitism on a festival stage,” she wrote, demanding Kneecap’s work visa be revoked.
David Draiman Lends His Voice
Backing her up is none other than Disturbed frontman David Draiman, a longtime advocate for Israel and a prominent voice in political discourse within the metal scene. Draiman praised Osbourne’s statement, reposting it with a simple but loaded: “Thank you, Sharon.”
Draiman’s presence in the conversation isn’t random — he’s already been stirring discussion after calling out Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, who changed a lyric at Coachella to reference Palestinian children. Draiman challenged Armstrong publicly, inviting him to learn more about the complexities on the other side of the conflict.
A Broader Debate in the Music World
This clash between artistic expression, political messaging, and the responsibilities of major platforms like Coachella has thrown fuel on an already-burning fire in the music industry. The festival has faced criticism before over the politics of its performers, but this moment seems to have hit a raw nerve — not just with audiences, but with fellow artists.
For now, Kneecap hasn’t backed down. And neither have their critics.
One thing is certain: the stage may be for music, but the spotlight is now firmly fixed on where the line should be drawn between performance and protest.
