Music / Reviews
Review: Kneecap, the Fleece – ‘The trio never fail to surprise’
Rowdy, hectic, riotous: all natural preconceptions ahead of a Kneecap gig. Especially an intimate show that allows the crowd of 500 at the Fleece to see the rage in the whites of the trio’s eyes.
It turns out the notorious Irish hip hop outfit never fail to surprise.
Despite the power of their performance in front of a 30,000-strong crowd at Glastonbury and the explosion of energy that fired up 24,000 people over two sold-out nights in Dublin last year, it seems these small album launch shows suit their naturally laidback personas and penchant for a good bit of craic.
There was a lot of love for Mo Chara who has been subject to police investigation over the last year
Cosy would be the last word that springs to mind in relation to the band that have provoked controversy with their relentless drive to unapologetically speak up for the people of Palestine as well as taking every opportunity to remind the British government of the atrocities suffered at their hands by the Irish people.
Yet it’s the atmosphere that prevails as the trio enjoy a warm welcome from the grateful few who’ve won tonight’s golden tickets, the three rambling about the stage in a relaxed fashion, Móglaí Bap happily bumping fists with the front row.
There’s a sense of relief that the “turbulent year” they reference at the top of the show has concluded: “I found myself in quite the pickle,” says Mo Chara cheekily, to laughs, before they announce: “We beat the British court three times!” instigating a ‘3-0’ chant from the crowd.
“We love you bro,” someone shouts from the middle of the room; “I know,” he says coquettishly, “I’m not even trying.”
Their second album, Fenian, plays heavily on the battles they’ve fought over the last year, bringing a more overwhelmingly political narrative to an artistic catalogue that, though it has never shied away from their homeland’s complicated past or topical issues, also made a lot of space for sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll.
The album’s name in itself reclaims a word which became a derogatory term for Irish people but originally referred to warriors in Irish folklore, and the band have said it is “a considered response to those who tried to silence us”.
They joke that if we all buy the record it will get to number one which will be “the biggest fuck you to Kier Starmer,” but they also reference the UK Prime Minster with seriousness alongside Netanyahu in the new material, with the album’s first single and tonight’s closer Liars Tale a no-holds-barred potshot that makes their feelings towards Starmer (“better off as compost for farmers”) more than clear.
Other tracks tonight point to Irish revolution, the terrorism charges brought against Mo Chara and the Troubles.
DJ Provai frequently joined the pair of rappers to stalk the stage and hype up the crowd
The band acknowledge an album launch show is a “hard sell” with the audience hearing the majority of the material for the first time tonight; the unreleased tracks, that feel deeper, darker and more personal are received positively, and title track FENIAN is an absolute hoot with its catchy F-E-F-E-F-E-N…I-A-N chant picked up and carried by the crowd after the track has played out.
But our patience is truly rewarded when the band demand a pit opens front centre before launching into HOOD, DJ Próvaí stalking out to loom large over the crowd, thrusting his mic into the delighted faces of the front row who belt the chorus back as the crowd explodes with joyful energy.
Recap is another standout singalong moment, before the trio instigate a Free Palestine chant that the crowd takes and runs with.
“I know I don’t have to lecture people in Bristol,” says Mo Chara, “I know you already agree and see truth for truth. But we will always take time with our platform to speak about the genocide,” to rapturous response from the crowd.
View this post on Instagram
It may not have been the tempestuous night of chaos and hi-jinks that we’ve come to expect from a live Kneecap experience.
But tonight’s mood proved that the cult of Kneecap exists above and beyond the mosh pits and the musical hooks; and that the heartfelt nature of their message will stand their craft in good stead no matter the size of the room or the crowd.
All images: Ursula Billington
Read next:
Our newsletters emailed directly to you
