Picture This say Kneecap make them 'proud to be Irish'
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Picture This said rappers Kneecap makes them 'proud to be Irish' for 'standing up to worthy causes'.
The controversial Belfast group hit headlines last week after it was revealed they are being investigated by counter-terrorism police in the UK following a video allegedly showing them calling for the deaths of Tory MPs. They also received backlash after Coachella festival in California where they described Israel's onslaught in Gaza as a US-funded genocide.
As a result, group members have been called anti-Semitic and 'terrorist sympathisers' of Hamas and Hezbollah and have had a series of summer festivals and show appearances cancelled in Europe and America. But defending Kneecap, Picture This drummer Jimmy Rainsford said artists have every right to express themselves.
He said: 'Yes. That's the whole point about being an artist. It's expressionism. You should be allowed to express whatever you feel and whatever opinion you have, people should be allowed to say whatever they want.
'That is what makes art so great. It might not be appreciated in the moment but it's art. We're just artists. We're not running the country, but we're allowed to say what we want to say.
'I love that about art and even when you look at history over the last 100 years and the amazing art that has come up from terrible situations or incredible situations, there's always amazing people there that have expressionism.
'That's what being an artist is all about and I love the fact that we can do that for a living. We can be expressionist in a way, and we can translate the world and put it into an art form.'
Frontman Ryan Hennessy praised Kneecap for 'standing up to worthy causes'.
He said: 'I think it really depends on the person. I think you can go a few ways about it. I think what Kneecap are doing is amazing.
'I've been a fan of them for a long time. They're great people. They use their voice exactly how they should and given their background and where they come from and their upbringing, I think it makes so much sense, and it's inspiring and amazing to see them use their voice.
'But some artists are more politically leaning and more politically forward.
'I think for us, we've always been about spreading love, really, our songs are love songs.
'So that's kind of our way with our band is kind of bringing people into our inner world. And that's because that's what we know, that's what I know about. But I think it's amazing for artists to use their voices.
I think Irish artists particularly have been amazing, especially over the last couple of years at standing up for amazing and worthy causes.
'So it makes you proud to be Irish when you see people standing up for worthy causes like that.' Picture This was speaking ahead of Virgin Media new series The Secret Headliner, which kicks off on Sunday.
In each episode, one of Ireland's biggest acts will offer an up-and-coming artist – a chance to share the stage as their support Act.
Picture This will be the first act to perform on the TV series as they return to their roots to play a secret gig in a small venue that was central to their journey to success, they have the chance to 'give back' by offering support and mentorship to an emerging act who dares to dream.
The Secret Headliner selects the venue, a small space that was central to their journey to stardom.
It might be the venue where a particular gig led to their record deal, or where they had their first ticketed show – where only 50 people turned up … and half of them were family and friends.
The identity of the established artist remains a secret to the attending audience until they walk on stage at the Secret Headliner gig.
The Secret Headliners include Picture This, Cian Ducrot and Belters Only, with the support acts Simple Things from Kerry, Paddy Keyes from Sligo, and Groveline from Leitrim.
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