Australia’s Spilt Milk festival has officially confirmed its return for 2026, kicking off its next festival campaign with a teaser video after months of silence following last year’s sold-out edition.

Shared across the festival’s social media channels on Friday (July 17), the clip features members of the public being asked to name their favorite Australian music festivals before cutting to footage of a packed festival crowd and a large-scale stage production. The video ends with the confirmation that Spilt Milk will return in 2026, though organisers have yet to announce dates, locations or a lineup.

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The announcement launches the festival’s 2026 campaign following a successful 2025 edition, which sold out across all four host cities: Ballarat, Perth, Canberra and the Gold Coast.

Last year’s lineup was headlined by Kendrick Lamar and featured Doechii, Dominic Fike, Sara Landry, ScHoolboy Q, sombr, Nessa Barrett, Don West and more. Organizers later expanded the bill with Genesis Owusu, Larissa Lambert and Lotte Gallagher ahead of the December run.

Demand for the festival remained high throughout the campaign. Before tickets went on sale, organisers warned that presale registrations had exceeded the number of tickets available, with all four events ultimately selling out.

Launched in Canberra in 2016, Spilt Milk has grown into one of Australia’s largest touring festivals, expanding to Ballarat and the Gold Coast in 2019 before adding Perth in 2023. The 2019 Ballarat event also marked Juice WRLD’s final live performance, taking place one week before the rapper’s death.

Like much of Australia’s live music sector, the festival paused during the COVID-19 pandemic before returning in 2022. Organisers skipped the 2024 edition amid a challenging period for the festival market, which also saw several prominent Australian events either cancelled or placed on hiatus.

Previous editions have featured artists including Post Malone, Lorde, Flume, Khalid, Steve Lacy, Latto, Dom Dolla, FISHER and Peach PRC.

Fans will have the chance to say goodbye to Bonnie Tyler in Wales next month, with funeral arrangements announced for the late singer.

A celebration of life service for Tyler will be held at Swansea Minster, St. Mary’s Church, on Monday, Aug. 17, at noon BST, according to a funeral notice shared by William Pressdee Funeralcare on behalf of her family.

Two days earlier, on Saturday, Aug. 15, Tyler’s coffin will be brought back to her home in Mumbles at 3:30 p.m. BST. Members of the public have been invited to line Newton Road from 3:15 p.m. BST to pay their respects as the procession passes through.

Following the Swansea service, Tyler will make a final journey through Skewen, Neath Port Talbot, the village where she grew up before her unmistakable voice carried her from local club stages to international fame. The procession is expected to travel through Skewen at approximately 1:20 p.m. BST before a private family service.

Tyler, born Gaynor Hopkins, died July 8 at age 75 in a hospital in Portugal, where she had been receiving treatment for an ongoing illness. In a statement previously shared on her official website, her family said she “unexpectedly passed away” as a result of the illness for which she was being treated.

The funeral notice remembered Tyler as “a warm, generous artist whose music touched generations and continues to fill dance floors and karaoke booths around the world.”

“Her legacy lives on in the timeless songs that made her a legend,” the notice added.

That legacy is closely tied to one of the most recognizable voices in pop-rock: a smoky, weathered rasp that gave “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” “It’s a Heartache” and “Holding Out for a Hero” their dramatic force. Tyler’s songs became staples not only of radio and concert stages, but of karaoke nights, dance floors, film soundtracks and decades of pop culture singalongs.

Her signature hit, “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” topped the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks in 1983. Written and produced by Jim Steinman, the power ballad appeared on Tyler’s fifth studio album, Faster Than the Speed of Night, and became one of the defining pop-rock recordings of the decade.

Tyler also found lasting success with “It’s a Heartache” and “Holding Out for a Hero,” the latter of which appeared on the Footloose soundtrack and became one of her most enduring anthems.

Across a career spanning more than five decades, Tyler released 18 studio albums, represented the United Kingdom at the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest with “Believe in Me,” and was made an MBE in 2023 for services to music.

Her family has requested family flowers only. Those wishing to honor Tyler’s memory have been asked to donate to Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital for Wales and Cerebral Palsy Cymru, two charities for which she served as patron.

Apple Music has raised its subscription prices for the first time in nearly four years, according to prices listed on the Apple Music website.

In the U.S., the price for the individual plan rose from $10.99 to $11.99 per month, while the family plan increased from $16.99 to $19.99 per month and the student plan rose from $5.99 to $6.99 per month.

This marks the first hike in Apple Music subscription prices since October 2022, when the company cited increased licensing costs.

Representatives for Apple Music did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Rival streaming platform Spotify has hiked its subscription prices fairly steadily over the last several years after maintaining a $9.99 price for its individual premium plan since it first launched in the U.S. in 2011. Its first increase arrived in July 2023, followed by another hike in July 2024 and a third increase in February of this year. The price for Spotify’s individual premium plan is now $12.99 a month, while its family plan is $21.99, its duo plan is $18.99 and its student plan costs $6.99.

In an interview with Kristin Robinson for Billboard‘s On the Record podcast in April, Apple Music vp Oliver Schusser noted that the platform is the only music streamer without a free tier. “And believe it or not, we’re really proud of that,” he said, adding, “I think it’s not the right thing for songwriters and artists to just say, you know what, we’re going to give this away for free — especially with the very little monetization that artists and songwriters are going to get in return.”

Schusser went on to lament the idea of free (ad-supported) streaming tiers, arguing they led to lower subscription prices across the board. “The fact that all paid services have to compete with free means, at the end of the day, not enough people are paying, because they can get it for free, and the paid services can’t actually charge the correct price for the service because they’re always competing with free,” he said.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

Hailey Bieber has long been known for her love of denim. The model, entrepreneur and wife of Grammy-winning singer Justin Bieber is frequently spotted wearing relaxed, low-slung jeans, making her a natural fit for Gap’s latest celebrity collaboration. The brand teamed up with Bieber on the “Hailey Jean” capsule, a limited-edition collection that quickly became a viral fashion moment and sold out within minutes of launching.

For fans who missed the drop, Old Navy has affordable denim alternatives that tap into a similar relaxed aesthetic. The retailer is part of Gap Inc., the same parent company behind Gap, making it another destination for shoppers looking for denim styles at a lower price point.

The original “Hailey Jean” may have a low-rise fit, but this Old Navy alternative taps into the same ’90s-inspired baggy denim trend with a high-rise waist and relaxed leg. Crafted without stretch, the jeans offer a structured feel similar to the oversized silhouette that made Gap’s capsule go viral. The cotton-blend pair is made with 63% cotton, 32% Tencel lyocell and 5% recycled cotton, from the same Gap Inc. brand family.

Ringing up at only $26, Old Navy’s Wow Baggy Wide-Leg Jeans deliver the ’90s slouch shoppers are looking for. Available in sizes 00 to 30 with short, regular and long inseam options, the jeans offer a versatile fit for different heights and body types. The super-baggy thigh creates a comfortable, relaxed silhouette, while the mid-rise waist sits just below the belly button.

For a denim alternative that comes close to the viral baggy jean look, this pair checks all the boxes. The low-rise waistband sits on the hips, while the extra-baggy thigh creates the relaxed ’90s silhouette shoppers are after. Offered in regular, tall and petite fits, the no-stretch jeans are crafted from a blend of 63% cotton, 32% lyocell and 5% recycled cotton. Plus, the under-$50 price makes them a budget-friendly pick.

With the “Hailey Low-Rise Loose Jean” sold out, this Old Navy style from the same Gap Inc. family is one of the closest alternatives. It has the same relaxed, loose silhouette with a low-rise waist that sits comfortably on the hips and a longer inseam that creates a subtle puddled hem. Available in five denim washes and sizes 00 to 30, this pair is fully stocked. If you prefer a more tailored fit over the signature ’90s slouch, consider sizing down.

For shoppers who prefer high-stretch denim, this highly-rated Old Navy pair is on sale for just $26. Made from 62% cotton, 30% recycled polyester, 7% recycled cotton and 1% spandex, it offers a comfortable fit with plenty of flexibility. Similar to the viral Loose Jean, this relaxed style comes in five denim washes and is fully stocked in every size.

Inspired by Gap’s ’90s denim styles, which Bieber has previously named among her favorites, the “Hailey Jean” collection features two low-rise silhouettes: the Extra Baggy and the Low-Rise Loose. Both styles were inspired by 1996, the year Bieber was born, and come in three washes: light indigo, medium indigo and midnight indigo. Each pair originally retailed for $89.

Bieber celebrated the launch on Instagram with photos of herself wearing the jeans, soundtracked by “Linger” by ’90s alternative band The Cranberries, highlighting the nostalgic influence behind the collection. The collaboration also reflects the continued popularity of ’90s fashion trends, from oversized denim to low-rise silhouettes.

While the original ‘Hailey Jean’ collection is sold out, these $15+ Old Navy denim picks offer a similar baggy fit and vintage-inspired feel. They’re an affordable way to recreate Bieber’s viral denim look without waiting for a restock.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.

On Sunday (July 19), New Jersey is hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final, as the international tournament comes down to the top two national teams, Spain and Argentina, competing against each other to hoist the FIFA World Cup Trophy on the pitch.

For the 23rd edition of the final, the championship match takes place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

How to Watch 2026 FIFA World Cup Final in Spanish Online, At a Glance:

When Does 2026 FIFA World Cup Final Start?

FIFA World Cup Final begins on Sunday (July 19) at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT. The final match of the fútbol tournament can be found live on Telemundo for the Spanish-language broadcast.

Who Is Performing During 2026 FIFA World Cup Final?

Before the match begins, Jennifer Hudson is scheduled to perform “The Star-Spangled Banner,” the U.S. national anthem. In addition, singers Nicole Scherzinger, Laura Pausini and Robbie Williams are set to perform during the pre-kickoff ceremony with special appearances from influencer IShowSpeed, as well as actor Tom Cruise.

Meanwhile, at halftime, Madonna, Shakira, Justin Bieber and BTS are all expected to perform during the World Cup Final.

Where to Watch 2026 FIFA World Cup Final in Spanish Online for Free

If you want to watch the World Cup Final without subscribing to a cable provider, then there are a few ways to watch the match online for free. There are streaming services, such as DirecTV, Hulu + Live TV and others, that have free trials available to new subscribers (and even for returning subscribers too). These services are the best ways to watch Telemundo online for free.

To watch the World Cup Final in Spanish, go with DirecTV, which offers the “Entertainment Signature Package” for $59.99 for the first month of service ($89.99 per month afterward). The package includes more than 90 channels, like Telemundo and others.

With DirecTV, you can stream on up to three devices at the same time, while the service features unlimited cloud DVR to record your favorite TV shows, movies and even sports to watch back on-demand. If DirecTV sounds good to you, then sign up for a five-day free trial to start watching online.

Peacock is the official streaming home to the World Cup Spanish-language broadcast in the United States. The service offers the Premium Plan, which is priced at $10.99 per month, or the Premium Plus Plan, which goes for $16.99 per month. Both plans offer Telemundo for the World Cup Final.

Want to save some money with Peacock? The service has annual plans available too, so you can get 17% off your yearly bill. If you pay $109.99 per year, or $169.99 per year, up front, then you can livestream Peacock Premium, or Peacock Premium Plus, respectively, at a lower cost. And aside from the World Cup Final, the streaming service also grants you access to more live sports from Premiere League, MLB, WNBA, NBA, NFL and other pro leagues.

Peacock doesn’t offer a free trial, however, you can get 30 days of access to Peacock for as low as $1 with a subscription to Walmart+. Streaming access is one of the retailer’s benefits and perks. Learn more about Walmart+ and Peacock here.

Until Wednesday (July 22), DoorDash DashPass members can get exclusive deals at restaurants and retailers with savings up to 50% off orders on meals, groceries, tech and more. To get the most out of your World Cup watch-party, you can save big on popular restaurants and retailers, like Pepsi, Burger King, Taco Bell, Best Buy, Cheesecake Factory, Starbucks and others, as well as more than 100,000 local businesses. Learn more about DoorDash’s DashPass here.

With prices starting at $63.99 per month for the first month of service ($88.99 per month afterward), Fubo’s “Pro” plan is a cable alternative streaming service that offers the World Cup broadcast in Spanish on Telemundo. The plan features more than 220 other channels, including Universo, FOX, FOX Sports, ESPN, ESPN2, MLB.TV, MLB Network, NHL Network and others. Fubo comes with a five-day free trial, so you can try out the service before you commit month-to-month.

For Telemundo, you can watch the game with a subscription to Hulu + Live TV, which offers a three-day free trial to try out the service before you commit. Once the free trial is finished, a subscription starts at $89.99 per month for more than 100 live channels. And at no additional cost, Hulu + Live TV is bundled with Hulu, Disney+ and ESPN Unlimited to watch more originals, live sporting events and other programming.

But until then, the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final: Spain vs. Argentina is available to watch in Spanish on Telemundo, via DirecTV, on Sunday (July 19) at 3 p.m. ET/12 p.m. PT.

In the meantime, you can find how to watch the match with the English-language broadcast here.

Rick Ross stopped by The Joe Budden Podcast recently for a Patreron exclusive episode released today, and was asked by Budden why he and Drake don’t tell the public that their supposed friendship and working relationship was a “facade” this entire time. “Why y’all don’t ever say, ‘Yo, all that brotherhood S—t that we was showing y’all in the videos, and how we was carrying it, and it was collabs every summer, it was all a facade,” Budden questioned.

Ross pushed back and denied that his relationship with Drake wasn’t real and suggested that sometimes friendships fizzle out for one reason or another. “No, no, don’t get it f—ked up. Nothing about that was fake,” the Miami rapper replied. “If a n—a f—k with you, a n—a f—k with you,” he continued. “If it’s something that go left, that’s when it go left. It can go left right now on this podcast. It wasn’t fake. Before that, n—as showing love.” Budden countered by suggesting that their falling out doesn’t make sense, telling Ross, “But when we hear what happened, it don’t connect.”

Rozay further explained that sometimes things just happen that way. “Some things are not to be looking for the connection,” he replied before bringing up Budden’s own notorious falling out with former co-hosts Rory Farrell and Jamil “Mal” Clay. “That’s like me looking for the connection between the last weird n—as you used to do the podcast with. You loved them n—as, didn’t you? That’s business. You moved on. That’s what you got to do as a boss. You wish all them n—as the best if it ain’t no real pressure. Continue to do you, keep winning. But once it go left, it go left.”

Rick Ross dropped his 12th solo album Set in Stone today (July 17) and is in the middle of his Port of Miami 20th Anniversary Tour. Billboard went down to South Florida to check out the tour’s opening night. You can check that out below.

The Grand Ole Opry’s Opry 100 Honors is set to honor the life, career and legacy of the late Charley Pride on Sept. 22.

The event, held at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House, will feature performances from Opry members Darius Rucker and Pam Tillis, as well as Neal McCoy and Pride’s son, Dion Pride.

Mississippi native Pride, country music’s first Black superstar, was known for hits including “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin’,” “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone,” “Roll On Mississippi” and “All I Have to Offer You (Is Me).” Pride landed 29 No. 1 Billboard Hot Country Songs chart hits during his decades-long career and earned three Grammy Awards.

He signed with RCA Records in the 1960s and earned a career breakthrough with “Just Between You and Me.” In 1971, he was named the CMA’s entertainer of the year and earned two consecutive male vocalist of the year honors (1971-1972). Pride was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2000. Among his other accolades are the ACM’s pioneer award and the Recording Academy’s lifetime achievement award.

Pride made his Opry debut in 1967 and became an Opry member in 1993, when he was inducted by Jimmy C. Newman.

“The Grand Ole Opry held a very special place in my father’s heart, and our family is deeply grateful to see his music and legacy celebrated on the stage he loved so much,” Dion Pride said in a statement. “It will be an honor to perform alongside artists who admired him and to share his songs with the fans who have kept them alive for generations.”

“Every single night Charley Pride came home to the Opry was an event,” added Opry executive producer Dan Rogers. “His performances were amazing. The crowd response was like no other. And the backstage area was always, always buzzing. Charley’s spirit and songs live on, and we’re so looking forward to celebrating both on the Opry stage in September.”

$5 from each ticket sold for Opry 100 Honors shows will directly impact the Opry Trust Fund, which has supported country music professionals with assistance for emergencies, medical bills and other hardships for over 60 years. Since the launch of the Opry 100 Honors series in 2025, the shows have honored other country music legends including Loretta Lynn, Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash, Charlie Daniels, Porter Wagoner, Bill Monroe, Minnie Pearl, Roy Acuff, Hank Williams, Little Jimmy Dickens and Don Williams.

Desiigner (born Sidney Selby III) was arrested on a second-degree domestic violence charge in South Carolina on Wednesday (July 15), according to Horry County Sheriff’s Office records viewed by Billboard.

Records show that the “Panda” rapper was booked on Wednesday at 2:21 p.m. ET. He remains behind bars without bail as of press time.

In addition to the domestic violence charge, Desiigner is facing three charges of malicious injury to animals and personal property valued at between $2,000 and $10,000. Each of the latter three charges comes with a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

According to a police report viewed by Complex, Desiigner got into an argument with his girlfriend and mother of his child over TVs assembled on the wall inside a home. The rapper allegedly smashed both of her phones with a hammer.

The victim allegedly fled the situation to a neighbor’s house with their child and locked herself in the bathroom, while Desiigner damaged the neighbor’s car and home windows as he looked for a way to breach the residence. She also claimed that Desiigner physically pushed her and tossed her purse over a fence.

This is far from Desiigner’s first run-in with the law. The Brooklyn-bred rapper was previously arrested on March 23 on a third-degree charge of domestic violence in South Carolina; the following day, he posted a $1,500 bond and was released. Before that, he was arrested in April 2023 on indecent exposure charges, with authorities alleging he was masturbating while aboard a Delta Airlines flight from Tokyo to Minneapolis.

Desiigner broke out in 2016 with “Panda,” which spent two weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. He also earned a pair of top 40 Hot 100 hits with “Timmy Turner” (No. 34 peak) and as a guest on BTS’ “Mic Drop” (No. 28). More recently, Desiigner released his ii deluxe project in April and his “Outside” single in May via LOD Entertainment.

Desiigner’s reps did not immediately respond to Billboard‘s request for comment.

In 2025, the Polaris Music Prize celebrated its 20th anniversary. Entering its third decade, the award is undergoing what might be its biggest period of change. From funding to voting process, the organization is continuing to evolve.

The cultural not-for-profit organization has spent the better part of two decades creating a space in the industry for Canadian acts to be recognized based solely on artistic merit, rather than sales, genre or support from a record label. Founded in the 2000s as Canada’s answer to the Mercury Prize, the organization became a registered Canadian charity in 2017.

Over its two-decade run, the Polaris Music Prize has awarded many notable acts, including Kaytranada, Haviah Mighty, Jeremy Dutcher (Twice), Caribou, Feist and more. It’s also recognized greats like Alanis Morissette, Leonard Cohen, Beverly Glenn-Copeland and Neil Young through the Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize.

To commemorate its anniversary, Polaris introduced the SOCAN Polaris Song Prize and launched Polaris Festival, a multi-day event across Toronto, showcasing a range of Canadian talent.

But while new initiatives were introduced during its 2025 prize cycle, the longstanding album prize winnings dwindled from $50,000 to $30,000, while the 10 short-listed artists would no longer be awarded $3,000 — potentially indicating funding issues.

As it enters its 21st year, the Polaris Music Prize is finding new ways to persevere, experimenting with new initiatives without abandoning its guiding principles.

Last week, the Polaris Prize unveiled its 2026 short list of 10 albums competing to be named the best in Canada. It includes acts like Charlotte Cornfield, Peaches, Tanya Tagaq and Canada’s hottest band, Angine de Poitrine.

The winner, though, will be decided in a whole new way.

When the organization announced the long list at NXNE, it subtly revealed that the final album winner will be decided by a 205-person voting pool. That represents the first major process change in two decades. In previous years, that 200-plus jury voted to determine the long and short list, but an annually chosen 11-person grand jury made the winning album decision each year.

“It’s something that we’ve been thinking about for a while,” Amber Still, executive director at Polaris Music Prize, tells Billboard Canada.

Still joined the organization’s board in 2021, assuming the role from Claire Dagenais, who took over the position in March 2020 following the departure of Polaris Prize founder Steve Jordan.

“Since I’ve come on the board, we’ve been looking at everything that Polaris has been doing and seeing if there’s any way that we can improve it or find opportunity within it,” Still says, pointing to the award gala and ceremony’s move to Massey Hall back in 2023.

Still explains that the expanded jury is a part of a one-year “pilot program” to ensure that it’s successful and satisfies the existing members. “We will evaluate it at the end and then see if it will be permanent.”

Read more on the Polaris Prize’s updates here. — Heather Taylor-Singh

Angine de Poitrine Make Their Much-Anticipated Toronto Debut

The rise of Angine de Poitrine has happened so quickly, it’s hard to remember they’ve never played Canada’s biggest concert market. That changed Tuesday night (July 14) as they made their debut in Toronto twice in one night: first opening for Jack White at RBC Amphitheatre, then for their own headlining show at Mod Club.

As with many of White’s concerts, this was a no-phones show, so footage of that opening concert is already rare. However, White posted his own photo with the polka-dotted black-and-white alien duo after the show.

But fans were ready with their cameras out at Mod Club.

There are some concerts that you know will be “I saw them when” moments: The Weeknd’s debut at Mod Club in 2011, a young Adele playing The Rivoli in 2008, even Nirvana at Lee’s Palace in 1990. Leading up to this concert, it felt like Angine de Poitrine could join those ranks.

The Saguenay, Quebec, duo have already shown they can command crowds of nearly 100,000, but they kept their first headlining Toronto show nice and intimate at about 600 people. (They returned to play there again two more times this week, will play Guelph, Ontario’s Hillside Festival on Sunday (July 19), then will return to Toronto to play the much bigger History on November 5.) You could feel the anticipation in the air for the Billboard Canada Global Breakthrough Award winners.

The crowd was ready to erupt, even cheering for the band’s crew (also dressed in black-and-white) erecting their DIY polka-dot sheet backdrop.

When the band finally took the stage, it was a minute before they started playing. Instead, they stood and turned to the crowd, soaking up their cheers, Khn raised his hands to the triangle on his signature hat igniting a light within it, and the two members spoke a few words in their made-up language (somewhere between a sci-fi B-movie robot, a hawk and WWE wrestler Kane), and then began the simple stop-start drum and bass loop that begins Vol. II closer “Angor.” Khn signalled the crowd to clap along by clapping on the side of his helmet, which again timed to the triangle light inside.

Much has been made of the unusualness of their music — the odd time signatures, polyrhythms and microtones (the notes between the notes) — but seeing them live, you can tell why this music is so crowd-pleasing. Their instrumental grooves have a weight to them you can see in their viral online performances but you can feel live in the room. The heavy riffs and build-ups create a visceral tension and release that adds drama that doesn’t need vocals. After the recent wide release of their vinyl albums, Angine de Poitrine charted on multiple Billboard charts, including the Top Dance Albums chart. That felt like a weird fit at the time, but you could see people moving to the off-kilter grooves and clapping along to the non-4/4 time signatures.

It was hot and sweaty in the Mod Club, and it wasn’t long before Klek’s arm makeup wore off — by now its own in-joke. Angine de Poitrine played eight songs in just over an hour, and it felt like an athletic feat, especially right after playing at RBC Amphitheatre with Jack White during a Toronto heat wave. Still, it felt like a taste of things to come as the band continue their extraterrestrial ascent.

Head here for the full recap. — Richard Trapunski

Kneecap to Sue Indigenous Leader for Defamation After Being Denied Entry Into Canada

Kneecap are reportedly filing another defamation lawsuit after being denied entry into Canada. The Irish trio’s counsel Tom Hogan has been granted permission by the high court of Dublin to serve papers for a defamation lawsuit to Harvey Yesno, an Indigenous leader of the Eabametoong First Nation in Canada.

Last year, the group was blocked from entering Canada after Yesno and several other Indigenous leaders signed a statement published by Indigenous Embassy Jerusalem, in partnership with Allied Voices for Israel and the Canadian Antisemitism Education Foundation, which denounced the group for their “history of promoting violence, intimidation and discrimination.

“Kneecap has outwardly supported antisemitism, genocide, and the indiscriminate murder of civilians. Allowing them to play in Canada would be a stain on our country’s reputation,” read the statement, which urged that Live Nation cancel the group’s shows in Oct. 2025 at Toronto’s History (Oct. 14-15) and Vancouver’s Vogue Theatre (Oct. 22-23).

Kneecap are suing for damages, claiming the statement harmed their reputations as professional artists and public figures after being picked up, spread and republished by various media outlets, as reported by the Irish Times.

Later, Liberal MP Vince Gasparro, who the group is already suing for defamation, announced on behalf of the federal government that the group was deemed ineligible to enter the country, explaining in a video posted to X that the band “have amplified political violence and publicly displayed support for terrorist organizations such as Hezbollah and Hamas.” The group responded, calling his remarks “wholly untrue and deeply malicious” and adding that they had received no formal notice about any official ban.

The new lawsuit against Yesno was approved in Ireland as the group had an arguable case that they had been defamed in their home country, with their personal and professional relationships “bound up” in the jurisdiction.

Read more here. — Stefano Rebuli