bReview: Kneecap
Thursday 6 March 2025 at the Powerstation
Words by Matthew Pledger
Photography by Nico Penny
Kneecap’s Thursday gig in Auckland was like diving headfirst into a whirlwind of raw energy, political defiance, and unbridled joy. The Belfast trio - Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí - are as provocative as they are exhilarating, blending their commitment to the Irish language with a fearless hip-hop and rave ethos.
The gig kind of felt like the Beastie Boys found a cause to preserve an indigenous language and loved heavy clubby dance music.
It was absolutely wonderful.
THEEEE Elton John had this to say about Kneecap, "I find your music tackles controversial subjects, and you say unless we make a topic of it unless we make fun of it, we're never gonna get any better. I think you're very brave to do that, you're very great at speaking out, you come from a humorous place, and it just makes me happy. You wouldn't think an old softie like me would be interested in Kneecap, but I am, because of the energy, the music, the power, the power, the power, not many people have that power. I wish you well on your tour. I'll try to come and track you down, give you a big hug & have a great time.” Ughh doesn’t Elton just melt your heart? He epitomises the power and influence of shining a spotlight on the new, the different, and the wonderful.
(Kneecap at the Powerstation / Photo: Nico Penny)
The world is often unkind to new talent, and new creations. The new needs friends. Last night, I experienced something new, an extraordinary gig from a singularly unexpected source. To say that both the gig and its maker have challenged my preconceptions about fine art is a gross understatement. They have rocked me to my core.
From the moment they took to the stage, Kneecap commanded attention. Their shows often commence with bold political statements, setting the tone for an evening that challenges the status quo. This sounds like a wild sentence to write, and I hope you get a smile out of reading it. The Kneecap gig was so fucken good there is literally only one thing they could have done to make it better…
Suppose one of the boys mentioned how marmite sandwiches are an inadequate meal to sustain the next generation of New Zealanders. The gig would've been perfect.
But seriously, Kneecap's first Tāmaki Makaurau gig will be one that will be fondly remembered for years to come. I look forward to, in 60 years, showing my mates in the retirement village the power of a bunch of lads who embrace their culture and indigenous language!
The Belfast hip hop trio were so genuine from the moment they took to the stage. “we massively appreciate yas coming to see us… If we were any further away, we'd be on our way home. We’re gonna need a hand with this next tune, actually, we’re gonna need a hand with all of them were Jet Lagged as fuck". The thousand-strong audience sang the Grian Chatten (of Fontaines D.C. Fame) verse in 'Better Way To Live.’
Móglaí Bap - who for half the gig sported the clothes he was born in - had a twinkle in his eye and a grin in his mouth when he cheekily said, “If anyone would like to organise a mosh pit that'd be appreciated…” The grin grew even further when he said, “Security is in our ear, we're gonna have to stop the gig.” he paused as if there was genuine concern, and then continued… “unless you throw all of your drugs on stage.” Obviously, it was a legal gathering, and no one in the crowd indulged in breaking the law... Either that or everyone was awfully selfish, and who can blame you in this current cost of living crisis.
(Kneecap at the Powerstation / Photo: Nico Penny)
The chemistry on stage was undeniable, even with the jet lag. “Who’s seen the Kneecap documentary,” Said Mo Chara, before pausing to say, “Yeah, heard it’s shit. Anyway, it's on Amazon to rent for $15 dollars, but just go and stream it online cos Fuck Jeff Bezos. And also just in case you have forgotten or weren't sure Margaret Thatcher is still dead.” Hearing Kneecap be self-deprecating towards their internationally award-winning doco, bag a billionaire, and then remind us of a person who divided Ireland further through politics that is now dead was an all-time experience.
Passionate chants of, “Nah na na na na na na naaa, Maggies in a box, in a box Maggies in a box,” filled the iconic Auckland venue.
If you don't know, Margaret Thatcher was a hugely divisive figure in British politics, and for the people of Ireland, especially the north of Ireland. Her policy decisions entrenched divisions, and handed draconian-like military powers over to the police force.
Thatcher refused to recognise the right of citizens to vote for representatives of their choice. She famously changed the law after Bobby Sands was elected in Fermanagh and South Tyrone. And when several Sinn Féin leaders were elected to the Assembly in 1982 they were barred from entry to Britain.
While Kneecap can be absolutely polarising to the average person on the street, when you deep-dive into who they are you realise their whole schtick is love. And it's a deep and undying love for the preservation of the Irish language and culture that is their guiding north star. Their concert tour feels like a tour, and more like a movement that is inspiring local indigenous peoples whilst they are on their own journey to revitalise their own language. Móglaí Bap spoke to this directly, “If you don't understand what we're saying, it's not you going psychotic. We use the Irish language, and we're very proud of it. It brought us to this country, Aotearoa. We have no right to come this far, and sell out a venue like this.”
“Auckland, Kia Ora, we massively appreciate it.” Mo Chara went on, “We're here because of this song. We put it out for our mates, we made it severely stoned, which is a time when ya make the best decisions.” That song is the now anthem ‘C.E.A.R.T.A.’ which is Irish for rights, the tune delves into themes of social justice and resistance.
(Kneecap at the Powerstation / Photo: Nico Penny)
(Kneecap at the Powerstation / Photo: Nico Penny)
On YouTube, the top two comments under the song perfectly sum up everything I love about Kneecap and that song. From @josephbloggs2179 (sidenote, Josephbloggs2179 is obviously the creme of the crop when it comes to Josephbloggs accounts he’s had to compete with 2178 other Josephblogs, and his comment shows us why he is the top dog.) He wrote “Don't understand a word.....living proof music is universal. Absolutely love this” @decadentaggressor9728 then added, “This is unreal! Great to see the Irish Language used so creatively. Tir gan Teanga, Tir gan Anam!”
That's the beauty of Kneecap, at face level they are just FUN and WONDERFUL, and when you really look into the band you understand the cause and their guiding north star. A final thing too, what a beautiful reminder that creating art with your mates and messing around can become a force for worldwide change.
On that guiding North Star. Midway through the gig, Dj Provai swapped his Irish balaclava for a Tino Rangatgira balaclava, and Mo Chara had a Tino Rangatira flag draped over his shoulders.
Kneecap finished with H.O.O.D. and what proceeded was 3 minutes where chaos met catharsis, at some point, in some way, we’ve all felt like low-life scum. Maybe it’s the system telling you you’re not good enough, maybe it’s a past mistake that still clings to you, or maybe it’s just the weight of existing in a world that doesn’t always play fair. H.O.O.D. isn’t a song, it’s an anthem for that feeling. It drags the shame, the frustration, and the defiance out of the shadows and throws it into the mosh pit.
The line, ‘Get the Brits out!’ is chanted back with an energy that feels less like politics and more like a primal scream, a release. Whether or not the words mean the same thing to everyone, the feeling behind them is universal. It’s about wanting to carve out your own space, to shake off whatever’s holding you down.
(Kneecap at the Powerstation / Photo: Nico Penny)
Suppose you haven’t picked it up already. The gig was unreal, and I put my top dollar that when Kneecap returns it’ll be an arena show, or to play on a very big stage at New Year's...
The Irish boys were also very stoked with Swizl Jager who opened up the night, “You couldn’t find a better fucken opener, rapping in his indigenous language, with a free Palestine shirt on.”
(Swizl Jager opening for Kneecap at the Powerstation / Photo: Nico Penny)
(Kneecap at the Powerstation / Photo: Nico Penny)
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