Before I get into the show review, I just wanted to thank Kneecap and Kneecap’s team for going above and beyond to make sure the concert was accessible for me as a photographer with a disability. It meant so much that they made accommodations for me so I could photograph and enjoy the show, which not all artists would have done. It speaks volumes about Kneecap’s inclusivity and shows that Kneecap’s values are not performative, as some discourse online suggests. Also, a note that the accessible seats were all full of hardcore Kneecap fans! 

What can I say other than the concert started with a powerhouse of an opening act, a proud Aboriginal singer-songwriter called Miss Kaninna! She came on and owned the stage; the crowd was eating up her enthusiasm, and Miss Kannina did a great job hyping up Kneecap. Not only was her singing fantastic, but like Kneecap, she was very open about her support for Palestine and her support for indigenous people around the world. While keeping the atmosphere excited, she also spoke of what being an Aboriginal means and how Aboriginal communities have been treated, raising awareness all the way on the other side of the world. 

Kneecap has been making headlines all over the world over their strong political beliefs, even so far as Mo Chara (Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh) being taken to court on a terrorism case, which was eventually thrown out. The band mentioned this in the show, saying, “They did the same thing, and we beat them,” referring to the British government. Many believed the whole case was political, a punishment for the band speaking out about the genocide happening in Palestine, but even the threat of arrest won’t stop the group from speaking up against oppression. Throughout tonight’s concert, the group continued to use their voices and their spotlight to highlight these issues, calling for a free Palestine, with the crowd joining in with “Free Palestine” chants.

The band also encouraged the crowd to support people who are being prosecuted for standing up for Palestine. For many people who are Irish or have Irish heritage, even if it’s just a single drop, they would’ve grown up with Irish rebel songs from Wolfe Tones, The Irish Brigade, and everything in between. Irish rebel songs are a big part of Irish history, and I can’t help but think, after seeing Kneecap perform: Is Kneecap’s music a new type of rebel music, quite different from traditional Irish rebel songs and yet carrying similar messages?

One thing that makes the rap group stand out is that they rap in Gaeilge (Irish), which, for many years, was an act of rebellion itself, as it was prohibited to use the language in the Irish Parliament in 1537, and children were punished in schools for speaking Gaeilge. Despite bans and fines, the Irish language did not die and is now experiencing a revival, with more people wanting to learn it. A lot of people have said that part of the revival, especially among young people, is because Kneecap is making Gaeilge cool again and inspiring people to reclaim the language that was taken from them.

The rap group is proud to be from the North of Ireland, and while they have risen to worldwide fame, they haven’t forgotten the working class of their communities. When they won their court case against the U.K. government over a blocked grant they were entitled to, the British government had to pay the group £14,250, which they then donated—half to RCity Belfast and the other half to Glór na Móna, benefiting both sides of the community in Belfast.

For me, this concert was especially special, as my dad was a huge Kneecap fan and always wished he could go to one of their concerts. Sadly, he passed away earlier this year, so he never got the opportunity. Being at one of Kneecap’s concerts felt like I was seeing the band not just for myself, but for my dad too, and I think he would’ve loved it and had a fantastic time, just like all the fans I saw enjoying themselves.

Some people argue that Kneecap is too political, but I believe music and art, always at its core, is political. Kneecap’s concerts are filled with energy, not just from Kneecap but from the fans in the crowd singing along, a few crowd-surfing, and from DJ Próvaí himself. The whole group—Móglaí Bap, DJ Próvaí, and Mo Chara—has a compelling stage presence and keeps the atmosphere exciting throughout the show, while still emphasizing the important issues they believe in. If you have the chance to go to a Kneecap concert, I highly recommend getting tickets! The band is touring right now, so you have a chance to be part of Kneecap’s story—grab your tickets before they sell out. If you can’t make it in person, there are plenty of videos online of the band performing, which are well worth watching, so definitely check them out—you won’t regret it.

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