Irish rap-punk group Kneecap lit up the Sonora Tent on Friday at Coachella weekend one. The politically-charged trio, known for their experimental rap music that fuses elements of punk and electronics with Gaelic lyrics, led the crowd into a frenzy as they performed their hit song “H.O.O.D.” Ahead of the track, Kneecap shouted:
“He said Tiocfaidh and la (our day will come)! Free Palestine! Free the six counties!”
Despite Kneecap’s verbal pro-Palestine messaging making it in the stream, the group reported that their “messaging on the US-backed genocide in Gaza somehow never appeared on screens.”
“Not the only thing that was cut – our messaging on the US-backed genocide in Gaza somehow never appeared on screens either.
Back next Friday Coachella and it’ll be sorted [Palestinian flag emoji]
Grma to everyone who packed out the tent [fire emoji]”
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It’s not uncommon for bands to add meaningful content to their IMAG screens while performing at a music festival or concert, especially for groups like Kneecap, whose lyrics include important social and political commentary.
During Massive Attack’s historic performance at the Downs in Bristol, Robert Del Naja’s 3D artwork was projected on the screens, revealing scenes of war and peace. Along with it was a lengthy dollar counter with a caption that read: “TOTAL MONEY AIDED TO ISRAEL FROM US BETWEEN 1946 AND 2023 IN DOLLARS.”
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The screens are vital to an artist’s expression when performing for massive audiences. While the screens allow fans in the far back to see the performance in detail, they also offer a space for artists to express themselves beyond the stage.
Additionally, NME reported that Kneecap’s Coachella livestream was cut short after the group led fans in an anti-Margaret Thatcher (former British Prime Minister) chant:
“If anybody was wondering, Margaret Thatcher’s still dead… Maggie’s in a box, in a box, Maggie’s in a box!”
@theconcertcelebrity Kneecap Maggies In A Box Chant At Coachella #kneecap #coachella ♬ som original – ¡It🅰️llo
Several fans watching the live stream reported Kneecap’s set had been cut due to the political commentary, while others argued “technical issues.”
“Yeah I was watching live last night and as soon as they got cut off I knew Coachella was pissed about something, they never have any issues with their streams ever.”
“There’s no evidence it was cut for that reason. They cut whilst they were performing their last few songs so it was ages after that chant. Someone claimed technical issues, but who knows.”
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“Not only that but their visuals were also apparently tampered with, removing criticisms of the US support of the genocide in Gaza.”
“Honestly I bet it was just a technical issue. Can’t see any reason Coachella would care about an anti-Thatcher chant. Probably 80% of the crowd wasn’t even alive when she was in power.”
Hailing from Belfast and Derry, Kneecap (Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí) knows a thing or two about raising hell. For their recent St. Patrick’s Day show, they brought the head of King George V to their Melbourne show. (Albeit, the severed statue head of the former monarch) But the trio stands for more than quick headlines, having founded their career on the preservation of the Irish language. So much so that it was the subject of last year’s Oscar-shortlisted, BAFTA-winning film, “Kneecap,” starring the group as themselves.
Kneecap is scheduled to perform next Friday, April 18 at Coachella weekend two. We expect to see the band’s complete performance, screens and all.
Ahead of their second Coachella set, Kneecap has a near Los Angeles show at The Glass House in Pomona on April 17.
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