Latest news with #FairviewPark
Japan Today
28-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Irish hip-hop trio Kneecap play Glastonbury despite calls for ban
FILE PHOTO: Irish rap group Kneecap perform on stage at the Fairview Park music festival, in Dublin, Ireland, June 19, 2025. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne/File Photo By Paul Sandle and Kristian Brunse Irish hip-hop group Kneecap played to a huge crowd at Glastonbury Festival on Saturday despite criticism by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and pressure from some in the music industry to pull the gig. Frontman Liam O'Hanna, whose stage name is Mo Chara, was charged with a terrorism offence last month for allegedly displaying a flag in support of Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah at a concert in November. He denied the charge. Starmer told the Sun newspaper this month it was "not appropriate" for Kneecap, who rap in Irish and English, to appear at Glastonbury. With the outdoor arena at full capacity and scores of Palestinian flags waving in the blazing sun, the Northern Irish trio took to the West Holts stage at the festival in southwest England on Saturday. Festival-goer Greg Robertson, 30, said: "I don't think politicians should really have too much of an impact on a weekend where everyone's trying to have fun and trying to maybe create a more optimistic future." Sara Majid, 29, said she liked what Kneecap stood for. "I'm intrigued by them," she said. Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch had said the BBC, which broadcasts the festival, should not show Kneecap, and 30 music industry bosses asked organisers to pull the band from the line-up, according to a letter leaked by DJ Toddla T, cited by the Guardian newspaper. In response, more than 100 musicians have signed a public letter in support of the group. Kneecap's manager, Dan Lambert, said the group had expected calls for the performance to be cancelled. "We knew that the biggest pressure would come on Glastonbury because Glastonbury's an institution," he told Reuters, adding that it had not been an issue for organisers. "We didn't bring it up and they didn't bring it up," he said. "They treated us professionally." Organiser Emily Eavis said on Wednesday the festival was a platform for artists from all over the world, adding that "everyone is welcome here". The footage of O'Hanna displaying the flag came to light after the trio projected pro-Palestinian messages on stage at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California in April, ending with: "F... Israel. Free Palestine." Kneecap, whose other members have the stage names Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí, have said they do not support Hamas or Hezbollah. O'Hanna said on Friday the group were "playing characters" on stage, and it was up to the audience to interpret their messages. © Thomson Reuters 2025.
Irish Times
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Kneecap in Fairview Park review: Defiant, considered and celebratory
Kneecap Fairview Park, Dublin ★★★★★ Far from the gloomy halls of the Westminster Magistrates' Court, Kneecap arrive to Fairview Park defiant and full of energy. 'Quite the culture change' is how they describe their new surroundings. Here, the trio are conductors, orchestrating their congregation skilfully and punctuating an explosive set with humour and powerful monologues. A phrase penned by American poet Toi Derricotte, and borrowed by punk outfit Idles , comes to mind: joy is an act of resistance. [ Fans rally behind Kneecap after London court appearance: 'If you're supporting Ireland, you're supporting Kneecap' Opens in new window ] Detractors fundamentally and deliberately misinterpret what Kneecap are doing. Even softer-sounding labels of 'controversial' and 'agitating' are forged to distract from a very simple, innocuous objective – drawing attention to Israel's ongoing massacre of Palestinian people , and to the political inaction, or participation, that renders western governments complicit in a genocide. No one needed to be persuaded on Thursday in Fairview, but it doesn't diminish their importance. READ MORE In north Dublin, the night holds the communal intensity of a football song. In lieu of scarves and match programmes, Tricolour balaclavas are hung up for sale on temporary fencing at the park's entrance. Inside the marquee, where temperatures run high, many peel the headgear back to cool their faces. In an early monologue, the court case is addressed. Mo Chara (Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh), who has been charged with a terrorism offence in the UK over allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hizbullah at a gig last year, says that Kneecap have beaten the British government before and promises to do it again. It is a reference to the group's successful legal challenge in November over withheld arts funding. Fans take selfies before the Kneecap concert in Dublin's Fairview Park on Thursday. Photograph: Chris Maddaloni Later in the night, Mo Chara spends several considered minutes issuing a diatribe against the suffering of the Palestinian people. He acknowledges that the crowd here is in agreement with him, but pledges that 'until something changes, Kneecap will always use their platform'. Amid the sombre moments, there is no deviation from the tenets of Kneecap's performance routine – riotous, pulsating tracks that alchemise everyone in attendance. Fenian C***s and Your Sniffer Dogs Are S***e are early defibrillators. This is a rave that relies on participation, and pits open readily when ordered by those onstage. By the end of these bursts, the interludes work well as breathers. They even feature singalongs of The Auld Triangle and Dirty Old Town. A poignant dedication is made to Conor Biddle, an acclaimed Irish lighting designer who died earlier this year. The moment best captures the celebratory blend of emotions that Kneecap foster, as they dedicate the next song, Sick in the Head, to their friend in the knowledge he would have appreciated the joke. As the night winds to a close, the practised rhythm of the band's big finish becomes evident. DJ Próvaí forays beyond his mixing desk as Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap dovetail slick, emphatic vocals. Gone are the pauses, and the tent erupts for C.E.A.R.T.A., Get Your Brits Out, Parful and Hood. In the niche of Irish language punk-rap, very few acts stand alongside Kneecap musically. The message and identity of their work, however, is mirrored by an array of their national contemporaries. Explorative, parochial, socially conscious artists that echo the voices of young people around the country; this could describe Fontaines DC , Lankum , CMAT and many more. It is not an ethos to be feared.
Irish Times
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Fans rally behind Kneecap after London court appearance: ‘If you're supporting Ireland, you're supporting Kneecap'
Kneecap's place in the Irish zeitgeist was voiced without hesitation by fans of the Irish-language rap group streaming into Dublin's Fairview Park venue in their thousands on Thursday evening. Having jockeyed for position in cultural and social spaces in recent years, for many fans the group now stands both at the intersection and forefront of Irish music and politics. Eimear O'Connor from Finglas, Dublin, has been a fan of Kneecap since the release of their song Cearta. For her, the group is all encompassing – from Bohemian Football Club and Bang Bang coffee shop to recognising the lasting impact of colonialism on Ireland and Palestine . 'Rapping as Gaeilge is a huge way to bring Irish into modern culture and get people interested in it,' O'Connor said. 'Also, given Irish traditional music and the linguistics of Gaeilge, it works so well with rap.' READ MORE Like other fans, she was excited to hear what Kneecap might have to say about Mo Chara's (AKA Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh) London court appearance on Wednesday . Ó hAnnaidh was charged under UK antiterrorism legislation with showing support for a proscribed organisation after it was alleged he draped himself in a Hizbullah flag at a London gig last November. Rebecca Nichols and Keith Henderson said they are unsupportive of the case against him. 'It's absolutely ridiculous, there's no evidence,' Nichols said. 'Even if you don't agree with what he said, does he not have free speech to say it?' Pointing to the Irish Tricolours and Palestinian keffiyehs donned by surrounding concert goers, she added: 'If you're supporting Ireland, you're supporting Kneecap.' [ Kneecap case: 'A woman pointed to a sniggering Móglaí Bap as the magistrate asked if anyone knew an Irish interpreter' Opens in new window ] Henderson said it is more important than ever to show support for the group, who he originally began to follow because of their use of the Irish language. 'It's good to keep the Irish language alive,' Henderson said. 'It's also funny rap, it's entertaining'. Rhia McConnell, an Irish teacher from Cork, credits Kneecap with reviving her students' interest in the language. 'It's given some of them a huge love for Irish, the Kneecap film really helped a lot,' McConnell said. 'People in their 20s and 30s relate to them too because their music is just so modern.' The link between their music and advocacy seems undeniable – fan Cheryl Walshe said they have introduced children to what colonialism truly means and 'also act as a counter to some of the racist rhetoric' that young people may be exposed to. Thursday night marked the numerical pinnacle of their career with Fairview Park hosting their biggest solo gig to date with a capacity crowd of 8,000. Another appearance at Westminster Magistrates Court awaits Mo Chara who is contesting the charge and has not yet entered a plea. The group may face rocky times ahead, but steady support is strongly behind them.
Irish Times
18-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
The Mary Wallopers at Fairview Park in Dublin: How to get there, stage times, ticket information and more
Dundalk folk group The Mary Wallopers , known for their raucous performances and captivating musicianship, are set to play Fairview Park on Friday, June 20th. Formed by brothers Charles and Andrew Hendy with their friend Seán McKenna, who left the group earlier this year, The Mary Wallopers draw crowds for their original tunes and updated covers of songs made by popular by trad giants such as The Dubliners and The Clancy brothers. The six-piece folk band, who have become a live favorite over the years, have been busy over the last 12 months with tour dates and big festival appearances - they played for thousands at All Together Now , Electric Picnic and Glastonbury last summer. 'The unabashed Irishness of their material has gone down a treat both at home and in Britain,' wrote Ed Power in his review of their All Together Now performance . READ MORE Planning to head to the gig at Fairview? Here is everything you need to know. When and where is it? The Mary Wallopers play Fairview Park in Dublin on Friday, June 20th. Are there any tickets left? The gig is sold out but resale tickets can be purchased on the Ticketmaster website here . Remember to download your tickets on to your phone in advance, in case any issues arise around internet connection at Fairview Park. Screenshots may not work on the day, as Ticketmaster often use live or dynamic barcodes that update regularly. Fairview Park's box office is located beside the site's entrance near Annesley Bridge Road. What time should I arrive? Gates open at 7pm, and the show is likely to begin at 8pm. A list of stage times is not yet available. Gigs at Fairview Park tend to wrap up at about 10.30pm. Who is the support act? Warming up the crowd for The Mary Wallopers will be SexyTadhg, AKA the musician, singer and performer Tadhg Griffin. Featuring in this paper's 50 people to watch in 2024 as 'one of the most fun acts you could watch', you won't want to miss SexyTadhg at Fairview. 'There is something exhilarating about watching a star be born, again and again, and that is just what happens when you watch Griffin, whose theatricality and talent teeters between Lady Gaga and Elton John at their best,' writes Kate Demolder. What songs will The Mary Wallopers play? The Mary Wallopers have been on the quite a bit recently with scheduled tour dates and festival appearances. Concertgoers at Fairview can expect their setlist to feature original songs and several popular covers, such as that played at L'Orangerie du Botanique, Belgium: Bould O'Donahue (cover) Turfman from Ardee (cover) The Rich Man and the Poor Man (cover) The Holy Ground (cover) Banks of the Roses (cover) Smuggling the Tin Building Up and Tearing England Down (cover) Madam I'm a Darling (cover) Rothsea-O (cover) The Night the Gards Raided Owenys Landlord Song The Broad Majestic Shannon (cover) Gates of Heaven The Blarney Stone (cover) Eileen Óg (cover) Cod Liver Oil and the Orange Juice (cover) Frost is All Over (cover) Encore The Merry Ploughboy All for Me Grog (cover) How do I get to and from the gig? Fairview Park is within walking distance of Dublin city centre, and very accessible by public transport. You are encouraged to walk, cycle or avail of public transport to get to the gig – driving a car to the site is not advised. Travel by train/Dart: Dart services will run as normal to and from the site. Clontarf Road Dart station is about a 10-minute walk from the event. The last southbound train, running towards Connolly Station, departs Clontarf at 12:16am, while the last train north leaves shortly before midnight. Travel by bus: Dublin Bus runs plenty of services to Fairview Park bus stop, which is only a couple of minutes from the site entrance. Buses are available from Eden Quay (14, 15, 27a, 27b), Abbey Street Lower (6, H1, H2, H3, 130) and Talbot Street (42, 43). Irish Concert Travel is running a same day return bus to the gig from cities and towns around Ireland, including Donegal town, Sligo, Longford, Ballina, Mullingar and Galway City. Buses to Concerts are offering a similar service from the likes of Belfast, Newry, Dundalk and Drogheda. Travel on foot: Fairview Park is walkable from the city centre. It should take less than 40 minutes on foot from O'Connell St to the park, Travel by car: You are advised not to travel to the event by car, as there will be no local parking facilities near Fairview Park. What is security like? Under-16s must be accompanied by an adult to be permitted entry to the park. You are advised to bring an official form of identification – ideally a passport, Garda age card or driving licence. Bags will be searched, and bringing a large bag or backpack may lead to significant delays or even entry being denied. Umbrellas, alcohol, garden furniture, professional cameras or recording equipment, glasses and cans are prohibited. How is the weather looking? Met Éireann is forecasting dry and sunny conditions for Friday with highest temperatures expected to between 20-25 degrees.
BreakingNews.ie
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BreakingNews.ie
Kneecap at Fairview Park: Everything you need to know
Belfast rap trio, Kneecap, consisting of Móglaí Bap, Mo Chara, and DJ Próvaí, are taking to the stage at Fairview Park this Thursday. The sold-out concert is sure to bring Kneecap's usual energy, with a revolutionary force that is said to smash bans, barricades, and the occasional bottle of Buckfast. Advertisement The trio are known for their activism too, speaking out in support of Palestine and criticising Israel's military actions in Gaza, which sometimes lands them in trouble. During their Coachella performance in April, Kneecap faced some backlash in America over their comments about Gaza during the gig. With their politically provocative lyrics, working-class commentary and dramatic live sets, the Irish language group has grown in popularity at home and abroad, albeit amid controversy. In May, Mo Chara, whose real name is Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, was charged with a terrorism offence over the alleged displaying of a flag in support of Hezbollah at a gig in London last November. The group have denied any wrongdoing and said they intend to defend the charge. Ó hAnnaidh is due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, June 18th, the day before the band's concert in Fairview. Advertisement Regardless, their loyal fans will likely stand with them every step of the way. So, if you are headed to Kneecap in Fairview Park on Thursday, keep reading to find out everything you need to know. When and where is it on? Kneecap play Dublin's Fairview Park on Thursday, June 19th. Are there any tickets left? Unfortunately, the concert is sold out, but you may be lucky and nab one on resale on Advertisement Who are the support acts? Dublin singer Gemma Dunleavy and post-punk band Gurriers have been announced as the support acts. When should I arrive? Gates open at 7pm, with the show starting at 8pm. Stage times have not yet been announced, but we will update here when we have them, and keep an eye on Kneecap's social media in the meantime. How do I get there and home again? Promoters have encouraged concert-goers to plan and book return travel arrangements in advance, allowing at least an extra two hours travel time to and from the venue. Advertisement Because traffic delays are inevitable, it is also encouraged to walk, cycle, use public transport and private coach services. Worth noting that promoters don't operate transport to and from the venue, so attendees must arrange that themselves in advance. By Dart: The nearest Dart station to Fairview Park is Clontarf Road Dart Station. By Bus: Dublin Bus numbers 14, 15, 27a and 27b run from Eden Quay to near the venue, and so do bus numbers 6, H1, H2, H3, and 130 from Abbey Street Lower, while from Talbot Street, you can get the 42 and 43 buses. You can get off any of them at the Fairview Park bus stop. However, for operational reasons, bus stops 519 and 616 will be closed from 10pm until 11pm on concert days. By foot: If you want to walk to Fairview Park from Dublin city centre, it should take less than an hour, if you are so inclined. By car: Concert-goers are advised not to travel to the event by car, as there is no public parking at the event. Promoters have asked attendees not to park illegally or in residential areas and to use public transport instead. However, if you must drive to Dublin for the concert, it would be worth looking into park and ride options or asking someone you know who lives in the area in advance of the concert if you could park your car at their house for the evening. Advertisement There will be signs on the approach to the concert, which will take place at the Annesley Bridge end of Fairview Park. What are they expected to play? Of course, you never know what a band will play until they stand on stage on the night, but here is a snippet of what fans can expect a concert What's the story with security? No queuing is allowed before the gates open, and concert-goers are advised to allow sufficient time to travel to the event and pass through security checks. Anyone who does turn up early will be turned away. Under 16s must be accompanied to the concert and at all times by someone over 25, and strict age monitoring will be in place. Unaccompanied people under 16 will be refused entry to the event without refund. The promoters have recommended that nobody under the age of five attend. No camping or collapsible chairs are permitted on site. Security checks will be in operation, and everyone will be subject to a search as a condition of entry. Additional searches may take place once inside the venue. No bags larger than A4 size are allowed inside the venue, and attendees are strongly advised not to bring big bags or backpacks as they may experience delays or be refused entry. There will be no storage facilities on site. Any items left at entrances or in surrounding areas will be removed and disposed of accordingly. Other items not allowed into the grounds include, but are not exclusive tlimitedflags bigger than A3, glass, cans, umbrellas, alcohol, e-scooters and e-bikes, and professional cameras and audio recording equipment. There are no re-admissions to the concert, either, so if you leave, you can't come back in, and don't rush to the exit after the concert. Remember too, that Fairview Park is a residential area, so respect the local community by not littering, not engaging in anti-social behaviour and by not parking illegally. There's a lot to be said for being sound. What's the weather giving? Thursday is expected to be sunny and warm, with temperatures between 13 and 20 degrees forecast at the time of writing. Bear in mind, though, that we are in Ireland, and that Fairview Park is a standing-only venue, with all concerts taking place outdoors on grass under canvas. So, check the weather forecast on the day, look outside, and dress accordingly for Irish weather - think boots or runners, layers, raincoats/ponchos and sun cream, but remember, no umbrellas.
