Thousands of fans convened at Boucher Road playing fields in south Belfast for a homecoming performance by Kneecap, who supported Fontaines DC.
The performance marked Kneecap’s return to Belfast after eight months, a period marked by political controversy and police investigations.
The show occurred shortly after Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, a member of Kneecap, appeared in a London court facing a terrorism offence charge, which he denies.
Fontaines DC, a Dublin-formed punk band, has also expressed support for Palestine and has been critical of Israel’s actions in Gaza.
At Boucher Road playing fields – BBC News NI reporter Kevin Sharkey.
Large crowds gathered at the Boucher playing fields for one of the final summer concerts of the season.
Predominantly young attendees were eager to see Fontaines DC and Kneecap perform.
A festive atmosphere prevailed in and around the grounds as concert-goers enjoyed the open-air event amidst continuing mild weather conditions.
Prior to the concert, one fan anticipated “a lot of energy” and a “pretty intense” atmosphere in south Belfast.
Jamie Jamison noted that both groups have been prominent in the news “more for their views on the likes of Palestine or their political stance than the music”.
He emphasized the value placed on the message that “you don’t have to accept the status quo”.
“We’ve moved on from generic X Factor groups.”
As an avid concert attendee, Jamie mentioned that “people are as excited to see Kneecap as to see Fontaines” and believes Kneecap’s high-energy performance will resonate with younger audiences, while Fontaines DC offers a “more mellow” experience.
His preferred tracks from each band include:
Kneecap – Parful
Fontaines DC – Boys in the Better Land
Kneecap, established in Belfast in 2017, comprises Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin), and DJ Próvaí (JJ Ó Dochartaigh).
Kneecap’s blend of English and Irish rap has introduced the Irish language to a global audience of music and film enthusiasts, including through an Oscar-nominated and Bafta-winning film.
However, in April of this year, Kneecap’s vocal opposition to Israel’s treatment of Palestinians in Gaza garnered a different kind of attention.
Former X-Factor judge Sharon Osbourne advocated for the revocation of their US work visas following their Coachella festival set, which featured pro-Palestinian messages describing Israel’s military action in Gaza as a US-funded genocide.
In the aftermath of that controversy, videos of past performances resurfaced, leading to two police investigations in the UK.
These included a November 2023 performance during which a band member was filmed stating: “The only good Tory is a dead Tory. Kill your local MP.”
The band promptly apologized for the remark and any hurt caused to the families of MPs Jo Cox and Sir David Amess, who were previously murdered.
In a statement, they rejected “any suggestion that we would seek to incite violence against any MP or individual”.
They also asserted that the comment was “taken out of all context” and that they were victims of a smear campaign due to their stance on Gaza.
However, the story ignited widespread controversy, leading numerous festival organizers to cancel Kneecap’s scheduled appearances.
By May, approximately 40 artists, including Fontaines DC, signed an open letter in support of Kneecap, alleging a coordinated effort to censor and “deplatform” them.
Metropolitan Police counter-terror officers assessed the “kill your MP” footage but determined that no further action would be taken against the group, partly due to the expiration of the prosecution time limit.
However, they also reviewed a second show in November 2024 in Kentish Town, during which Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh allegedly displayed a flag supporting Hezbollah.
Hezbollah, a political and military group based in Lebanon, is a proscribed organization in the UK, and expressing support for them constitutes a crime.
Mr. Ó hAnnaidh was charged with a terrorism offense at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in June and is currently on bail awaiting trial.
He denies the offense, and the band has stated that its members do not support Hamas or Hezbollah.
The court case has been adjourned until September 26, which is close to the start of the band’s planned US tour.
Earlier this week, Kneecap announced the cancellation of all 15 of their sold-out US tour dates in October due to the proximity of the upcoming court hearing.
Fontaines DC was formed in 2014.
Its members hail from various parts of the Republic of Ireland, England, and Spain, and they connected after meeting at a music college in Dublin.
Lead singer Grian Chatten once noted that he and bandmates Carlos O’Connell, Tom Coll, Conor Curley, and Conor Deegan were drawn together “because of our appreciation of poetry”.
The group released their debut single “Liberty Bell” in 2017, a track referencing the Liberties, a working-class area in inner-city Dublin.
Two years later, their first album, “Dogrel,” inspired by everyday life in the city, was nominated for the Mercury Prize.
They have since released three more studio albums, the latest of which was last year’s “Romance,” while Chatten released his first solo album in 2023.
Friday marks the second night of two back-to-back festival nights at Boucher Playing Fields.
The gates open at 17:00 BST, with music commencing at 18:00 featuring support acts Dead Dads Club and Chalk, followed by Kneecap and headliners Fontaines DC.
Organizers have cautioned fans against queuing outside the venue too early and have issued a public information notice for ticket holders attending the event.
Police have warned of potential traffic disruptions in south Belfast. A city-bound lane of Boucher Road between Shane Retail Park and Balmoral Road will be closed between 15:00 and 21:00.
From 21:00 to midnight, Boucher Road will be closed between the Kennedy Way roundabout and Lisburn Road, as will Stockman’s Lane from the Kennedy Way roundabout to Lisburn Road. The M1 off-slip northbound at Kennedy Way and southbound at Stockman’s Lane will also close at 21:00.
Police are emphasizing that stopping, parking, or walking on the hard shoulder of motorways is illegal. Last year, numerous fixed penalty notices were issued after attendees were dropped off from vehicles queuing on the motorway and proceeded to walk down the hard shoulder.
Eligibility will be based on how old a child is when the programme starts and parents will be provided with more information nearer the time.
It comes after police issued a warning about upcoming music events in Northern Ireland.
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