Kneecap are pulling the oldest punk trick in the book: offending people – and it has worked
It's been a while since we've had a musical ruckus on the scale of Kneecap-gate. Forget boring arguments about feuds (hello Taylor Swift) or fallings out: yesterday, the rappers rocked up at Westminster Crown Court, accompanied by throngs of supporters, in support of band member Mo Chara (real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh).
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Sunday World
40 minutes ago
- Sunday World
Kneecap fans charged €30 for balaclavas and ‘free Mo Chara' tshirts at Dublin gig
Fans who did buy them at official merchandising stalls may feel they got a bit of a bargain as the same items are fetching over €110 online. KNEECAP fans are not only lapping up their music but also their imaginative merchandising. Woolen Irish tricolour balaclavas, as famously sported by band member DJ Provai, were on sale at last night's gig in Dublin's Fairview Park for €30. Many fans took delight wearing them, with security signs on nearby entrances earlier anticipating the craze by signalling: 'Balaclavas may be worn but please show your face if asked by security staff'. Kneecap News in 90 Seconds - June 20th Fans who did buy them at official merchandising stalls may feel they got a bit of a bargain as the same items are fetching over €110 online. Kneecap t-shirts, primarily in black, were also generally priced at €30. The most popular one being snapped up had 'Free Mo Chara' on its front, in obvious reference to band member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh's current court case in London. Tshirts on sale at the gig This was the group's first show since Liam's appearance at a magistrates court in London on Wednesday on alleged incitement of terrorism charges (for displaying a Hezbollah flag at a gig in the British capital several months ago), with his case being put back until August while he's released on unconditional bail. Other t-shirts read 'Kneecap: England get out of Ireland' and 'Take these yokes and we'll go for a dance'. A Kneecap hoodie was on sale for €70 and shorts for €40. There was also a separate stall selling pro-Palestinian items. Much of the marketing ideas are originated by the band's enterprising Dubliner manager Daniel Lambert. Daniel is also the C.E.O. of Bohemians FC, where he has had a phenomenal success of bringing sales of merchandising of replica jerseys from just over €100,000 a year to an estimated €2 million. A sign on display at the gig The jerseys, many of which are bought online from abroad, have already have themes such as Bob Marley (who played in Dalymount Park in 1980), 'Refugees Welcome' and 'Fontaines DC'. Environmentalist Greta Thunberg was spotted wearing a Bohs' Fontaines DC on her recent attempted boat trip to Gaza. 'I'm a free man', announced Liam as he took to the stage last night, to whoops of support from the sold-out crowd of 8500 who packed out a giant marquee. Free Mo Chara tshirts were on sale Liam also later wryly stressed that 'I'm not the first lad from west Belfast' that ended up in a British court. The band also highlighted that while their fans got to enjoy an exhilarating show they should also contemplate about Palestinians being slaughtered in Gaza and the West Bank. Balaclavas on sale online The group too paid a touching tribute to their late lightning designer Conor Biddle, offering sympathy to his family and husband Sean. Kneecap will play Glastonbury on Saturday of next weekend, where they're expected to have one of the biggest crowds of the famous festival given not just the curiosity, they're attracting for being perhaps the most high-profile anti-establishment act at the moment but also because their catchy and thought-provoking music is attracting a growing army of fans.
The Irish Sun
an hour ago
- The Irish Sun
Renovated £1.5billion stadium now generating almost £1million a DAY after incredible transformation
REAL MADRID'S Santiago Bernabeu is reportedly generating nearly £1million a day. The world-class stadium is known around the globe as being one of football's major cathedrals. 3 Real Madrid's Bernabeu stadium is generating nearly £1million a day Credit: Getty 3 The club is enjoying great success from both football and non-football events Credit: Getty Boasting over 78,000 seats, the Bernabeu has been home to It was the first stadium in Europe to host both a Euros and a World Cup final. And in 2019 The major renovation job saw a retractable roof added to the arena, while the surrounding area was boosted by the creation of a shopping centre and hotel. READ MORE IN FOOTBALL Now, Real are reaping the benefits of their new home thanks to football and non-football events alike. According to When it comes to matchdays, fans are also able to upgrade their experience by moving to premium seats and boxes scattered throughout the ground. They can also boost their time at the Bernabeu by opting for a plush tour of the ground. Most read in Football BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS And tickets remain accessible for both fans and tourists, with several matches not sold out before the end of this season Elsewhere, Real have also boosted revenue with numerous concerts and events. Real Madrid open their Club World Cup campaign with draw against Saudi minnows 3 Taylor Swift played three shows at the Bernabeu last year Credit: Getty Last year saw Taylor Swift play three shows to hundreds of thousands. And in November, the Bernabeu will play host to an NFL game between the Miami Dolphins and the Washington Commanders. There could still be plenty more revenue to come in the future, with Real currently banned from hosting music concerts following noise complaints from local residents after Swift's shows. But the regional Madrid government is working on a reform to current laws about noise pollution, potentially allowing the Bernabeu to start hosting concerts again from next year.
Irish Examiner
2 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Thousands flock to Dublin's Fairview Park for sold-out Kneecap gig
Back on Irish soil, Kneecap took to the stage at Fairview Park in Dublin on Thursday night. Despite swirling controversy, the West Belfast rappers are at the peak of their musical careers, having played several European festivals this summer and now their sold-out Fairview Park gig. The group is also set to play two 3Arena gigs on December 16 and 17. Kneecap fans Aoibhe Shankly,Hannah Coomerford and Rachel OKeefe pictured arriving to fairview park Dublin. Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos. With their politically provocative lyrics and working-class commentary, the group, consisting of Móglaí Bap, Mo Chara, and DJ Próvaí, has grown in popularity both at home and abroad. Kneecap fans Dylan Keating and Shannon Iveagh pictured arriving to fairview park Dublin. PIcture: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos. Their success, however, hasn't come without some controversy, with the cancellation of some gigs following their outspoken support for Palestine. Kneecap had faced some backlash over their comments about Gaza during their Coachella performance earlier this year. Kneecap fans pictured arriving to fairview park Dublin. Picture: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos Separately, member Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, who performs as Mo Chara, appeared before Westminster Magistrates Court in London to face a terror charge for allegedly displaying a Hizbullah flag at a gig in London last November. Taking to the stage at Fairview Park on Thursday, Mo Chara exclaimed, 'I'm a free man' to a crowd of cheering fans. This week also marked the first anniversary of the group's debut album Fine Art, which was released in June 2024. Read More Seven red giraffes to parade through streets of Cork city this weekend
