WATCH: 'Mics won't be switched off' - Electric Picnic boss dismisses Kneecap controversy

Microphones won't be turned off and acts who protest during their sets will not be cut off at this weekend's Electric Picnic festival, according to Melvin Benn, Managing Director of Festival Republic, responsible for the running of the festival in Stradbally.

Mr Benn has been speaking to the media at a press day on site in Stradbally, just days ahead of the festival which will welcome 80,000 revellers to Laois. Kneecap have been a topic of conversation this festival season amid a UK court case over their alleged previous display of a Hezbollah flag at a London concert last year.

Melvin Benn is a fan of Kneecap and shrugged off any controversy by telling reporters their inclusion ins the line-up this year was "really important."

"I think adding Kneecap was really important for us, a really important statement. Musically, [they're] fantastic, but in terms of what's going on in the world, it's really important that they're here adding their voice," he said.

"I will hasten to remind people that they headlined the Hazelwood stage in 2018, so we've had a long history with Kneecap and I'm glad that they're back."

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Mr Benn insisted "mics won't be switched off" when asked about possible protests during performances, by performers or punters. He said Kneecap are "great kids, great lads," adding, "they've got really important songs; they're brilliant live, but they've also got really important messages."

He went on to say: "They [Kneecap] didn't do anything wrong at Glastonbury, and it's yet to be proven that they've done anything wrong anywhere else in the world, so they're on home territory here. I think they'll be really relaxed and the crowd will be really appreciative of them."

Melvin was then asked about Electric Picnic's policy amid incidents of other festivals cutting bands who protest during songs off. The question follows an incident involving Dundalk band The Mary Wallopers at the Victorious Festival in Portsmouth last weekend. The band displayed a Palestine flag at the back of the stage, beginning their set by saying, "free Palestine, f**k Israel," before their mics were cut and their performance halted by organisers.

Melvin said: "It was shocking what happened to the Mary Wallopers. I'm glad a number of artists then ended up withdrawing as a result of it, and it definitely won't be my policy."

In terms of punters protesting after a Kneecap set was recently interrupted by protesters with whistles, he said: "We have protocols in place for all sorts of things but I don't anticipate people protesting about Kneecap."

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80,000 are set to converge on Stradbally for the 2025 Electric Picnic Festival with Kings of Leon, Hozier, Kingfishr, Amble, Kneecap, Fatboy Slim and Sam Fender among the artists set to perform. The event takes place this week, August 29 to August 31.