Unionist politicians have expressed opposition to rap trio Kneecap performing in Derry, but one councillor has told them to “wise up”.
Event organiser Sorcass has vowed that Kneecap will “defy opposition” as the original St Columb’s Park event date of November 2 has been pushed back to November 23.
Sorcass pointed to “unexpected objections” from local representatives.
The group comprises Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, both from west Belfast, and DJ Próvaí, from Derry.
The Belfast Telegraph has learned that at a private meeting in the Guildhall on Tuesday, unionist councillors objected to the concert taking place, while there are around 50 official objections.
A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council confirmed that an application for an entertainment licence has been received for the November 2 date.
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“This is being considered. No decision has been made by the council, but it has become apparent that, due to the legislative processes and statutory timeframes involved, the application cannot be determined in time for the concert to proceed,” a spokesperson added.
“A further application has now been received for a new date and this will also be considered in line with the statutory processes and council’s own procedures.”
Speaking to the BBC, DUP MLA Gary Middleton said St Columb’s Park is a “shared space”.
He made reference to “sectarian attacks” in the past but said stakeholders have worked to make it a “genuine shared space” again.
He added: “The idea of bringing a group such as Kneecap — a provocative, controversial group, [and] all that goes with it in terms of their lyrics and behaviour — to the park is something that I think the majority of people would recognise as not a wise idea.”
Mr Middleton said he knows of 100 or more people who raised concerns about the group, and what he said was their “glorification of terrorism, drug use, some of the words that are used, that obviously are there to hurt victims of IRA violence”.
He claimed that people in Bonds Street, Clooney and “right across the city” will not want to be seen to promote this concert.
Mr Middleton added that “we’re not about censorship”, saying Kneecap “thrive on controversy, rather than talent, and that’s how they sell tickets”.
In response, Kneecap told the Belfast Telegraph: “If we all lived in the world of Mr Middleton there’d be dinosaurs down St Columb’s Park.”
The event organiser said it has been blown away by the “enthusiastic response” from fans in Derry and beyond, with tickets selling out rapidly and a” groundswell of excitement” building around the event.
Belfast Telegraph
Music and Gigs
DUP MLA told to ‘wise up’ over opposition to ‘provocative’ Kneecap gig in Derry
Rap trio Kneecap. Photo: Kevin Scott
Rap trio Kneecap. Photo: Kevin Scott
Garrett Hargan
Today at 19:30
Unionist politicians have expressed opposition to rap trio Kneecap performing in Derry, but one councillor has told them to “wise up”.
Event organiser Sorcass has vowed that Kneecap will “defy opposition” as the original St Columb’s Park event date of November 2 has been pushed back to November 23.
Sorcass pointed to “unexpected objections” from local representatives.
The group comprises Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, both from west Belfast, and DJ Próvaí, from Derry.
The Belfast Telegraph has learned that at a private meeting in the Guildhall on Tuesday, unionist councillors objected to the concert taking place, while there are around 50 official objections.
A spokesperson for Derry City and Strabane District Council confirmed that an application for an entertainment licence has been received for the November 2 date.
Learn more
“This is being considered. No decision has been made by the council, but it has become apparent that, due to the legislative processes and statutory timeframes involved, the application cannot be determined in time for the concert to proceed,” a spokesperson added.
“A further application has now been received for a new date and this will also be considered in line with the statutory processes and council’s own procedures.”
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Speaking to the BBC, DUP MLA Gary Middleton said St Columb’s Park is a “shared space”.
He made reference to “sectarian attacks” in the past but said stakeholders have worked to make it a “genuine shared space” again.
He added: “The idea of bringing a group such as Kneecap — a provocative, controversial group, [and] all that goes with it in terms of their lyrics and behaviour — to the park is something that I think the majority of people would recognise as not a wise idea.”
Mr Middleton said he knows of 100 or more people who raised concerns about the group, and what he said was their “glorification of terrorism, drug use, some of the words that are used, that obviously are there to hurt victims of IRA violence”.
He claimed that people in Bonds Street, Clooney and “right across the city” will not want to be seen to promote this concert.
Mr Middleton added that “we’re not about censorship”, saying Kneecap “thrive on controversy, rather than talent, and that’s how they sell tickets”.
In response, Kneecap told the Belfast Telegraph: “If we all lived in the world of Mr Middleton there’d be dinosaurs down St Columb’s Park.”
The event organiser said it has been blown away by the “enthusiastic response” from fans in Derry and beyond, with tickets selling out rapidly and a” groundswell of excitement” building around the event.
“Despite the success in ticket sales, a number of objections have been raised by certain local representatives who have expressed opposition to the event,” a statement read.
“These actions, however, will not deter the team behind the show.
“We were prepared for this. Yes, there were attempts to block this show, but we will not be silenced. Art cannot be censored. Culture cannot be stifled. This show is about more than just music — it’s about freedom of expression — and we’re determined to see it through.”
It added: “They say ‘No’ but we say ‘Yes’ — bigger, stronger and more determined than ever to show that passion, creativity and community will always triumph over opposition.
“The Kneecap show is expected to be a landmark event, further elevating Derry’s profile as a hub for cutting-edge music and cultural experiences.”
SDLP councillor Brian Tierney said the application is currently out for consultation.
“Once evidence is gathered, councillors will have to make a decision by looking at all of the evidence,” he explained.
“If it stands up to the process then I don’t see any reason why it can’t go ahead.”
Mr Tierney also suggested that the city needs a dedicated concert space to allow events to be organised at short notice, as Derry has to attract performers who may have a day free between dates in locations such as Belfast and Dublin.
People Before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin said: “Middleton and the DUP need to wise up.
“Here they go again, lecturing people about what’s appropriate while they meet with the LCC [Loyalist Communities Council], who do nothing but harm to communities.
“Every year, there are unwelcome Orange Order marches through Derry — not by a few people, but by the vast majority of people.
“Middleton isn’t fit to comment on the content of Kneecap’s music. He hasn’t a clue.
“They [Kneecap] challenge genocide in Palestine, while he and the DUP support Israel’s barbarism.”
Sinn Fein added: “We have no objection whatsoever. Indeed, we are keen to see events take place in St Columb’s Park, and acts of the calibre of Kneecap will generate the interest to guarantee it will be a success.”
The DUP was contacted for comment.
by BelfastTelegraph
8 comments
You couldn’t buy the publicity they get
Didn’t even know they were playing a gig until Gary ‘posses under soldier f banners’ Middleton opened his big orange mouth.
Derry city centre is a shared space too but he supports bitter bastards bringing the place to a standstill every year.
Nothing says the DUP are struggling to hide their sectarianism amd justifty their BS like when they pull the “IRA Victims” card.
And honestly if there are objections from the local Loyalist communities then they can truly go fuck themselves Silly when they fly Soldier F flags simply to antagonise.
Maybe it’s time to reconsider the community agreements in place for the APOD marches and OO marches through the city centre every year. By Middleton the slabbering hypocrites logic, they’re shared spaces and shouldn’t be used for one part of the community’s events, especially when they’re antagonistic to another part of the community.
Wise up no harm in lads glorifying atrocities that happened here. Now bands walking silently past ardoyne the other week, that’s what you call offensive isn’t it.
Hardly a shared space if the space can’t be used by certain acts? Does shared space mean that everyone has to like and agree to any act that plays there?
Didn’t know they were playing in Derry. Thanks to these headlines I’m more keen to go!
if the local loyalist community is upset about a band playing a gig in a music venue suited to their size as a band then the local loyalist community can fuck off tbh. no issue with orange marches in shared spaces or soldier F flags but when the band that have a literal movie out in cinemas come to their city actually contributing to the economy they get pissy.
i know protestants who love kneecap. i know protestants who are learning irish because of kneecap.