Kneecap take over the OVO Hydro.
Self-proclaimed republican hoods Kneecap took over the OVO Hydro in a sold-out night, the three boys from West Belfast packed out the arena for a night that will not be forgotten by Glasgow quickly. Closing their immensely successful tour in Glasgow felt not only fitting but invitable; few cities love Kneecap as much as Glasgow does, and after the show, the feeling is evidently mutual. The crowd was buzzing from the moment the lights dimmed, and the atmosphere inside the Hydro was unlike anything I’ve experienced there. There was a tangible energy in the air, the kind that only Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí seem able to create.
The band have never shied from attention and are, as their own lyrics suggest, always making headlines. But following the release of their latest album Fine Art, in June of last year they have exploded. Known for Irish language rap delivered with political influence. Kneecap have actively made a point of using their platform to express solidarity with Palestine, something the 14,000 strong Glasgow audience met with roaring approval. Midway through the set, as has become tradition, the band paused to speak about Palestinian solidarity. Their concerts may be chaotic, fun, and often unhinged, but they are also known as sites of activism, where solidarity is shouted, chanted, and most importantly, heard.
The Hydro was a sea of tricolours, Irish and Palestinian alike, a multicoloured mosh pit that brought together fans young and old. Musically, the band were phenomenal; their sound has clearly sharpened with stage time, and their command of the room rivalled the most charismatic acts. They are performers above all else, and they know how to control a crowd. Every chant was easily repeated by a willing crowd.
It was amazing how local Kneecap managed to feel, with celtic flags and Saltires throughout the arena, alongside football chants I didn’t recognise. The band repeatedly spoke of their love for Glasgow and their excitement at ending the tour here, something made even more obvious at the afterparty, where DJ Próvaí was spotted crowdsurfing across the dancefloor. There was a powerful sense of collective identity in the audience, when someone fell, they were immediately lifted; strangers linked arms; mosh pits became both chaotic and strangely welcoming. It echoed Kneecap’s ethos perfectly; inclusivity, community, and a refusal to leave anyone at the sidelines. At one point, Móglaí Bap paused the show to reiterate that the mosh pit “wasn’t just for the sweaty men,” inviting everyone in the room to take part.
By the time the final track played, Kneecap had proven that they are able to easily command one of the UK’s biggest arenas while remaining entirely themselves. Their energy, their politics, their humour, all remained intact. If anything, the Hydro amplified what makes Kneecap such a force in the music industry. It was a night that celebrated their place not just as musicians but as one of the most culturally influential music groups out there at the moment. It was the type of show that made me feel immensely patriotic and had some of the most welcoming crowds I have experienced.
So, if you are fancying a night that is sweaty, energetic and most likely a bit messy. Make sure you are ready when the next Kneecap gig is announced, tickets are sure to become harder and harder to get.
Image Credit: KNEECAP – Twitter
