This blog post is all about my Kneecap gig review.
If there’s one act that knows how to shake things up, it’s Kneecap.
The Belfast rap trio brought their rebellious energy to Misneach Festival at The Domain, Sydney, and it was nothing short of chaotic brilliance.
With their unique blend of Irish and English lyrics, politically charged themes, and an unapologetic punk attitude, they took the crowd on an unforgettable ride.
This blog post is all about my Kneecap gig review at Misneach Festival in Sydney.
What is Misneach Festival?
Misneach Festival is a brand-new Irish music festival, launched by Dermot Kennedy, with its first edition taking place in Sydney on March 16th, just before St. Patrick’s Day.
The festival’s name, Misneach, means “courage” in Irish, and that spirit was evident throughout the day.
Bringing together some of the best Irish artists alongside other international acts, it was a celebration of music, identity, and the strong ties between Ireland and Australia.
Following the Sydney event, Dermot Kennedy took Misneach to Boston for two more shows, and he’s hoping to expand the festival to more cities with strong Irish connections in the future.
RELATED Kneecap Gig Review blog post to read: Misneach Festival Sydney Review: An Irish-Aussie Takeover
Who Are Kneecap?
If you haven’t come across Kneecap before, you’re in for a mad one.
Made up of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí, the trio are known for their bold, satirical take on politics, culture, and life in Northern Ireland, all delivered through the lens of hard-hitting hip-hop beats.
Their music is a mix of dark humour, raw storytelling, and absolute anarchy, and their live shows? Even wilder.
Having already seen Dermot Kennedy live five times before, I was dying to see Kneecap perform, finally. Once they jumped onto the stage with a bottle of Buckfast in hand, I instantly felt transported to my hometown of Lurgan.
I was so ready to see the controversial trio up close and be amongst the crowd to get a real glimpse of the Kneecap effect slowly taking over the world.
Here’s hoping I’m writing another Kneecap gig review in the near future when I attend their own headline show.
Kneecap: Controversy and a Movie in the Making
Kneecap aren’t just making waves in music—they’re constantly in the headlines.
Their outspoken political stance, controversial lyrics, and unapologetic attitude have sparked plenty of debate, with some branding them as provocateurs while others see them as much-needed voices of rebellion.
Recently, they’ve taken things beyond music with their feature film, simply titled Kneecap. The film, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival, follows the band’s origin story and is packed with the same anarchic energy that fuels their music.
It’s already generated a huge buzz, showing that Kneecap’s impact is extending far beyond the stage.
A Rowdy Set That Got Everyone Moving
From the moment they stormed the stage, Kneecap had The Domain in the palm of their hands. The crowd, a mix of die-hard fans and first-time listeners, didn’t stand a chance—within minutes, mosh pits were forming, drinks were flying, and the energy was off the charts.
Their set was packed with high-energy anthems, with tracks like C.E.A.R.T.A and Get Your Brits Out (my Welsh boyfriend’s favourite song) sending the crowd into a frenzy.
The mix of booming beats and biting lyrics created an atmosphere that was part gig, part political rally, part all-out party.
At one point, Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap jumped straight into the crowd, mic in hand, rapping amongst the chaos. The crowd lapped it up, throwing arms around each other, chanting along, and giving back as much energy as they were getting.
The Irish-Australian Connection in Full Swing
Sydney has a massive Irish community, and you could feel that connection in the air during Kneecap’s set.
From the moment they walked on stage, there were tricolours flying, pints raised, and chants echoing across The Domain.
The band’s lyrics, packed with Irish slang and references to Northern Ireland’s past and present, resonated with the crowd—whether they were expats missing home or Aussies just loving the sheer madness of it all.
Kneecap Gig Review: A Performance to Remember
As their set came to a close, the crowd wasn’t ready to let go. The energy never dipped, and Kneecap left everything on that stage.
The final track H.O.O.D turned into one big, messy, unforgettable singalong, proving that even thousands of miles from Belfast, their message, music, and mayhem still hit hard.
Misneach Festival might have had an incredible lineup, but Kneecap stole the show—and if their Sydney performance is anything to go by, their rise is only just beginning.
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