Fans wait to see if Derry concert will go ahead

Kneecap fans are waiting to see if a gig on council-owned land in Londonderry will get the go-ahead.

Promoters have already had to delay the concert at St Columb’s Park in the Waterside due to issues around an entertainment licence.

BBC News NI has also learned that dozens of people have complained about the Irish-speaking band – known for their politically-charged lyrics – performing in a designated shared space, near unionist and loyalist areas.

Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) assembly member Gary Middleton said many unionists objected to the concert venue but Cllr Brian Tierney, of the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SDLP), said it could not be stopped just because some people do not like Kneecap’s music.

Speaking on BBC Radio Foyle’s North West Today, Middleton said: “The idea of bringing Kneecap, a provocative, controversial group, with all that goes with it in terms of their lyrics and behaviour… the idea of bringing that to the park is something which I think the majority of people would recognise is not a wise idea.

“Personally, I know of many – and we’re talking a hundred, more, people who have raised concerns.”

The DUP politician insisted it was not about censorship but added if the concern promoter knew the city well “he would know the challenges that exist still to this day around sectarianism and around glorification of violence and terrorism”.

Middleton added a Kneecap gig at St Columb’s Park “will only exacerbate the situation”.

The SDLP’s Brian Tierney sits on the council’s health and communities committee which will ultimately decide if the concert – originally planned for 2 November – can go ahead or not on the revised date of 23 November.

They will meet at an unspecified date next month to consider the application and all objections.

Councillors will also take into account the views of the police, fire service and other statutory agencies who make up a local safety advisory group.

Tierney said: “We’re going to try and make sure this application stacks up and if it does and if we can address the concerns of local residents, I don’t see why this event can’t go ahead with the proper process being wrapped around it.

“We can’t just disallow something because some people may not like the music that is particular band is going to play.

“If it stacks up with the council policy and council process around it, then let’s see where we get at the end of that.”

The promoters behind the proposed concert at St Columb’s Park said it had already attracted interest worldwide and sold 1,000 tickets in five minutes.

Patrick Duddy, from promoters Sorcass, said: “We’re selling tickets to Paris, New York, Amsterdam, Italy, Andorra, Tel Aviv, the West Bank, mainland England.

“These were all people who were flying in to come to this show in Derry.

“These guys (Kneecap) are now massive. Getting them back to Derry will be a really hard thing to do.

“They’ve sold out a UK tour, they’ve sold out an American tour, they’re on their way to New Zealand and Australia next year.”

He said he expected the Derry gig to also be a sell-out and if they cannot stage it at St Columb’s Park, an alternative venue would be considered.

“What we are definitely committing to is that Kneecap will be here on 23 November… we’ll make this happen.”

Kneecap are an Irish-speaking trio from west Belfast who openly court controversy with their provocative lyrics and merchandise.

The group was formed in 2017 by three friends who go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí.

Their rise to fame recently inspired a semi-fictionalised film starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender.

It gained rave reviews and last month won an audience award at the Sundance Film Festival.

However, the group has faced criticism over their politically-charged, expletive-filled, drug-referencing lyrics.

Their use of Troubles-related imagery has also prompted unionist complaints.

Kneecap have stated they like to get people riled up and have argued art should be “challenging”.

They also point out that much of their music is tongue-in-cheek.

“There’s a lot of playfulness and a lot fun and craic, if you’re offended by it then you’re just not getting the joke,” Móglaí Bap told BBC News NI last month.