In a display of jingoistic euphoria, KNEECAP tear up New Century with an electric set in Manchester.
Moving into the venue, up a set of stairs, and into the main room, the anticipation is palpable. Looking around, it’s not hard to spot an audience member wearing an Irish football shirt, brandishing a flag or with a pint in hand.
It’s clear tonight’s gig will be a patriotic one. Ceiling lights beam down, illuminating a lone table on stage, furnished with a set of DJ decks.
As the crowd cheers, support Gemma Dunleavy enters the stage. She is immediately captivating, an obviously fitting tour support as her Dublin accent fills the space.
Her sound is a perfect mix of dance and R&B, allowing the crowd a sense of what’s to come, whilst bridling them slightly – preserving their energy.
The lights dim, as smoke slinks onto the stage whilst Dunleavy exits.
New Century’s main room is a joy to be in; sound fills the room perfectly, whilst ceiling lights and mirrored sides allow for a visually pleasing wait for the headliner.
As more and more people fill the room, the lights dim once more to excitement from the crowd. The time has come.
In the darkness, DJ Próvaí, the trio’s balaclava clad DJ, emerges. He crawls across the stage, before hiding behind the decks.
To rapturous applause, a projector casts the words ‘Free Palestine’ upon the back wall. The crowd are overcome, chanting in response.
As the needle drops on their opening song, Próvaí emerges, hands outstretched, from behind the table. He faces the crowd, as if offering them out, as bass thunders through the room.
The projector flickers into action, displaying the band’s logo on the screen.
The show’s visuals are stunning throughout. What is just a projector and stand lights are transformed into a visual masterpiece, shooting across the stage and into the crowd.
As the track finishes, Móglaí Bap and Mo Chara leap onto the stage. The crowd goes ballistic, hailing the arrival of the remaining two.
The group thunder on with their set, only pausing to tell the room: “The best crowd so far was Liverpool”, which is met with deafening boos.
Their sound is the perfect tour through modern dance music, taking elements of everything from 90s Hip Hop to 2010s drill. The cherry on top is their decision to perform in Gaelic, which brings a gorgeous authenticity to their sound.
The group’s performance is nothing but flawless, they look like three mates having the time of their life. DJ Próvaí sports a balaclava adorned with the Irish flag, whilst Bap and Chara dress in tracksuits, complete with bags strapped across their bodies. As with the whole set, there is a genuine authenticity to the band. Their look and sound is original, and nothing seems forced or artificial.
Bass reverberates through New Century’s sprung floor, as chants of “Kneecap” fill the room. The song ‘Fine Art’, the title track from the group’s debut album, electrifies the space. Aforementioned flags are thrust into the air, obscuring the view of the stage in a sea of patriotism. Calls for heightened energy are met with people thrown on shoulders, as Bap concedes the spectacle “might just have beaten Liverpool”.
Próvaí is prolific throughout the set. Being the group’s DJ, it would be easy for him to be stuck behind the decks, but he almost moves more than the two frontmen. To cheers, the balaclava wearing DJ tears open his jacket, revealing his bare chest as the track ‘Parful’ begins the set’s closing section.
The energy in the room multiplies, not a single body is stood still. It is impossible not to get hooked by the band’s sound, each beat is infectious and every lyric is perfectly judged.
The group throw themselves into the crowd, each taking turns to surf the mass, held aloft by adoring punters. Security attempt to drag the Belfastians back, as the track ‘Get Your Brits Out’ thunders on.
The group close with the massive ‘H.O.O.D’, screaming at the audience as they run around the stage. The room is captivated, energy is at a climax as bass rips through the sold-out crowd.
Lights strobe, bass pounds, before the room falls dark.
The projector displays the band’s opening message, as they leave the stage to chants and cheers.
KNEECAP’s originality and unbridled authenticity through their music and live performance makes them a must see act on the modern circuit. Their ability to weave genres together, whilst maintaining their devout patriotism, is uniquely charming and exciting.
KNEECAP are sure to become a staple; unfazed by tradition, they stun with their infectious energy and massive tracks. It’s easy to see why the trio are one of the most talked-about bands of the last year.
Visit KNEECAP’s website here to see upcoming tour dates.
