Irish rap trio Kneecap are to perform at Glastonbury Festival on Saturday after a number of politicians called for them to be banned from the event.
It comes after one of the band鈥檚 members, Liam Og O hAnnaidh, 27, was charged with allegedly displaying a flag in support of proscribed terrorist organisation Hezbollah, while saying 鈥渦p Hamas, up Hezbollah鈥 at a gig in November last year.
Last week the rapper, who performs under the stage name Mo Chara, was cheered by hundreds of supporters as he arrived with bandmates Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh at Westminster Magistrates鈥 Court in Free Mo Chara T-shirts.
He was released on unconditional bail until the next hearing at the same court on August 20.
Last week Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said it would not be 鈥渁ppropriate鈥 for them to perform in the slot, which is due to go ahead on the Somerset festival鈥檚 West Holts Stage at 4pm on Saturday.
Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch also said the BBC 鈥渟hould not be showing鈥 the trio鈥檚 set in a post on social media last week.
Badenoch said in an X post, which was accompanied by an article from The Times which said the BBC had not banned the group: 鈥淭he BBC should not be showing Kneecap propaganda.
鈥淥ne Kneecap band member is currently on bail, charged under the Terrorism Act.
鈥淎s a publicly funded platform, the BBC should not be rewarding extremism.鈥
Kneecap are not listed as one of the acts being shown live by the broadcaster.
Ahead of the group鈥檚 set, an Avon and Somerset Police spokesperson told the PA news agency: 鈥淭icket-holders can once again expect to see uniformed officers on site at Glastonbury Festival 24/7 throughout the festival as part of our extensive policing operation ensuring it is safe for everyone attending, as well as those who live nearby.鈥
Neil Young, best known for songs such as Rockin鈥 In The Free World, Like A Hurricane and Cinnamon Girl, will headline the festival鈥檚 Pyramid Stage on Saturday night with his band the Chrome Hearts.
The BBC confirmed on Thursday that Young鈥檚 set will not be broadcast live 鈥渁t the artist鈥檚 request鈥.
Another act expected to draw a big crowd is Brat star Charli XCX, who will headline the Other Stage around the same time Young and Grammy Award-winning rapper Doechii will also perform.
The 1975 headlined the festival鈥檚 Pyramid Stage on Friday night, with the performance seeing singer Matty Healy joke he was his generation鈥檚 鈥渂est songwriter鈥.
After performing Part Of The Band he sat on a stool while smoking and sipping his drink, Healy said: 鈥淲hat this moment is making me realise is that I probably am the best songwriter of my generation.
鈥淭he best what they say, a poet, ladies and gentlemen, is what I am.
鈥淕enerational words and I just wanted to remind you, over the next couple of minutes, these lyrics are poetry, I believe.鈥
The band then launched into Chocolate from their 2013 self-titled debut, before Healy remarked 鈥淚 was only joking about being a poet鈥 at its conclusion.
Made up of four school friends, the group comprised of singer Healy, bassist Ross MacDonald, guitarist Adam Hann and drummer George Daniel were headlining the festival for the first time.
Friday also saw a performance from Scottish music star Lewis Capaldi who told the Glastonbury crowds 鈥淚鈥檓 back baby鈥 as he played a surprise set, two years after a performance at the festival during which he struggled to manage his Tourette syndrome symptoms.
The musician, who announced a break from touring shortly after his performance at the festival in 2023, has just released a new song called Survive.
He told fans: 鈥淚t鈥檚 so good to be back. I鈥檓 not going to say much up here today, because if I do, I think I will probably start crying.鈥
He ended his performance with Somebody You Loved, the track that Glastonbury crowds helped him to sing when he struggled with the condition which can cause physical and verbal tics in 2023.
Earlier on Friday, alternative pop star Lorde surprised fans with a secret set at Worthy Farm, performing her latest album Virgin, which was released on Friday, in full.
Scottish indie rockers Franz Ferdinand brought out former Doctor Who actor Peter Capaldi during their Other Stage set while they were playing Take Me Out, one of their best-known songs.
Celebrities who have been spotted at the festival include singer Harry Styles, Oscar-winning actor Eddie Redmayne and Stranger Things star Joseph Quinn.
Friday saw hot dry weather which hardened the Worthy Farm surface after rain in the early hours of the morning, with festival goers expected to see temperatures in the mid-20s on Saturday.
The Met Office鈥檚 Grahame Madge said: 鈥淲e anticipate highs of 26C on Saturday, with high levels of humidity. By Monday temperatures can be anticipated to be over 30C.
鈥淭here is always the chance of a light shower, but there is nothing in the forecast that suggests anything heavier for Saturday for Somerset.鈥
Avon and Somerset Police said there had been 38 crimes reported at the festival and 14 arrests made.
Performing in the coveted Sunday legends slot this year is Sir Rod Stewart, who previously said he will be joined by his former Faces band member Ronnie Wood, as well as other guests.
Sir Rod鈥檚 performance will come after he postponed a string of concerts in the US, due to take place this month, while he recovered from flu.
The BBC is providing livestreams of the five main stages: Pyramid, Other, West Holts, Woodsies and The Park.