Roskilde Festival was aware of Fontaines D.C.’s plan to hold a Palestine demonstration on Orange Stage during their Wednesday performance. The festival confirmed this in a written statement.

Prior to the concert, the Irish band informed Roskilde Festival of their intention to provide a platform for activists and deliver a political message. During the performance, the audience saw messages such as “Israel is committing genocide, use your voice” displayed on the large screens.

Roskilde Festival stated that they engage in dialogue with artists regarding formats and context before concerts but do not censor or control their artistic expressions. They maintain a respectful approach to political expressions from the stage, honoring artistic freedom.

Following the on-screen messages, Fontaines D.C. invited a group of demonstrators with Palestinian flags onto the stage, where they delivered speeches and led chants, including “Free Palestine.” The demonstration lasted approximately 10 minutes of the band’s 60-minute set.

The festival believes that the Palestine demonstration did not violate their rules, explaining that Fontaines D.C.’s activist segment contained strong political messages but remained within the festival’s limits for stage expression.

Roskilde Festival prohibits hate speech, discrimination, and incitement to violence. They stated they take responsibility and act in specific situations if statements are deemed to exceed these limits.

The Israeli embassy in Denmark responded to the Wednesday concert on Thursday, expressing concern over the scenes that unfolded, including calls for the destruction of Israel and inflammatory cries in English and Arabic.

The embassy urged Roskilde Festival’s organizers, artists, and public figures to disavow this form of hateful rhetoric.