Irish rap group Kneecap delivered a politically charged and emotionally somber performance on the main stage at Waterford’s All Together Now festival, blending tracks from their latest album with direct commentary on recent legal battles and foreign policy, according to reviews from the event at Curraghmore Estate.
Legal Battles and a Somber Turn on the Main Stage
The festival set marked a departure from the group’s usual style, featuring an austere tone and blood-red lighting. According to festival accounts, Fermanagh musician Róis opened the action with the group’s album opener “Éire go Deo,” which includes a recording of the late broadcaster Rónán Mac Aodha Bhuí. The rappers then performed the industrial track “Smugglers and Scholars,” featuring lyrics about obtaining weapons with American dollars.
This heavier mood follows public scrutiny involving member Mo Chara, also known as Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh. According to event reports, Ó hAnnaidh faced terrorism charges under the UK’s Terrorism Act for allegedly displaying a Hizbullah flag at a 2024 concert. A London high court judgment in March determined he would not face a fresh terror charge in a British court. These trials, alongside themes of Palestinian solidarity and Irish history, shape the group’s latest studio album, Fenian.
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The track “Carnival” directly addresses Mo Chara’s court appearances, comparing the legal proceedings to a circus on a 1990s-style hip-hop beat that incorporates live chants recorded outside Westminster Magistrates Court.
Musical Shifts and High-Profile Collaborations
The performance operated in distinct phases, utilizing the 2017 breakout single “C.E.A.R.T.A” as a midpoint break that drew a massive crowd reaction involving fist-pumping and fans on shoulders. Before the high-energy singalong, veteran political activist Bernadette McAlliskey took the stage to deliver a pro-Palestinian message, telling the audience that genocide is as old as colonisation for Irish people who understand the history of plantation and rule.
The emotional peak of the concert featured member Moglaí Bap, also known as Naoise Ó Cairealláin, performing “Irish Goodbye.” Ó Cairealláin has described the single as a love letter to his mother, Irish-language activist Aoife Ní Riain, who died in 2020. He was joined on stage by collaborator Kae Tempest, Lisa Canny and Niamh Hinchy of BIIRD, and sibling duo Caoimhe and Seamus Ó Flaharta.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did Kneecap perform their recent festival set?
The group performed on the main stage at Waterford’s All Together Now festival held at Curraghmore Estate.
What themes are explored on Kneecap’s latest album?
According to festival reports, the album Fenian discusses recent court trials, Palestine, Irish history, and personal loss.
Who joined the band on stage for “Irish Goodbye”?
Naoise Ó Cairealláin was joined by Kae Tempest, Lisa Canny, Niamh Hinchy, Caoimhe Ó Flaharta, and Seamus Ó Flaharta.
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