Words: Ruby Corrigan
Explosive West Belfast hip hop trio Kneecap took to the mainstage of Leeds festival this year and delivered an absolutely heart thumping performance that really set the mood for the entire day.
While at first I was slightly apprehensive, as all three members looked extremely tired and lethargic as they took to the stage, my mind was quickly changed as they launched into their absolute belter of a tune ‘It’s Been Ages’, that immediately got the crowd pumped for an exciting set full of banter, political commentary and immense mosh pits.
A stand out part of the set was the band members’ crowd involvement, with both singers Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap engaging with the audience, pitting each side of the crowd against one another to create bigger, more lively mos pits — and it certainly worked, with the open air main stage quickly feeling like an absolute sweat box.
The Belfast trio’s arguably most on the nose song has to be ‘Get Your Brits Out’, a politically charged banger that calls for the removal of British Governmental control of Northern Ireland, as well as uses humorous bars to discuss the life of the young working class in Belfast, and poke fun at corrupt politicians — all to the theme tune of the BBC news. However, the group’s live performance of this was made all the more poignant by Kneecap’s decision to call out how there was ‘more than one occupation taking place’, before displaying a visual on the large screen that blatantly stated how the British Government has been funding the genocide of Palestinians. It is clear that Kneecap’s constant usage of their platform to advocate for the oppressed and call out corruption is what makes them so popular, as this act of artistic protest sent a roar of cheers throughout the crowd followed by an impassioned chant of ‘Free Free Palestine’.
In short, despite only having half an hour to perform at the very beginning of the day, Kneecap put on an incredible show that proved they are main stage worthy performers.
Rockstars HQ 
Leave a comment