Kneecap: Last News

Kneecap have played a free, surprise gig in Melbourne’s Federation Square – check out footage from the massive show below.On Monday (March 10), the Irish rap trio – who are currently touring Australia – announced that they’d be playing a short, impromptu set at Melbourne’s Federation Square around 5pm local time for free as a treat for fans who were unable to score tickets to their originally announced show later that night.The show drew a massive attendance – while a confirmed attendance has not been determined, footage shows a sea of people gathered at Federation Square for the free gig. Federation Square has estimated that 10,000 people showed up.The band said while announcing the show: “It’s a bank holiday.

Deadline, Yuval Abraham, who directed the Oscar-winning documentary No Other Land alongside Ballal, posted on X/Twitter earlier today (March 25) that, “After being handcuffed all night and beaten in a military base, Hamdan Ballal is now free and is about to go home to his family.”This comes after reports emerged yesterday that Ballal had been attacked by Israeli settlers at his house, before being detained by military forces.After being handcuffed all night and beaten in a military base, Hamdan Ballal is now free and is about to go home to his family.— Yuval Abraham יובל אברהם (@yuval_abraham) March 25, 2025 The Guardian cited five Jewish American activists who witnessed the incident, who said that Ballal was “surrounded and attacked by a group of about 15 armed settlers in Susya in the Masafer Yatta area south of Hebron”.According to the witnesses, the settlers started throwing stones towards Ballal and other Palestinians, destroying a nearby water tank and Ballal’s car. A group of soldiers and settlers dressed in military uniform then arrived at the scene, who chased Ballal before he was eventually arrested.Abraham had shared the news on X yesterday.

Kneecap have been announced for the 2025 edition of the Eden Sessions, and will be supported by The Streets‘ Mike Skinner.

AP).As noted by The Guardian, Thursday’s bombardment may mark one of the bloodiest days of the 18-month conflict, with the timings of the strikes seemingly increasing the number of women and children killed.The band took to X/Twitter to condemn Israel for the ongoing atrocities, writing: “Last night US-backed Israel murdered almost 100 people as they slept. In Rafah they murdered a father and his 7 children as they sheltered in their partially destroyed home.“FUCK ISRAEL.”The most vulnerable people on earth, trapped with no electricity, food, access to their own sea or any means to escape are being bombed by the most powerful army in the region armed by most powerful military on earth.

Kneecap have hit out at the Prime Minister of Ireland, Micheál Martin over his recent visit to the White House to meet US President Donald Trump.During a meeting at the Oval Office earlier this month, Martin offered warm praise for the Irish-American alliance and the historic ties between the two countries. He also touted Trump’s self-professed role as a peacemaker, according to Al Jazeera.Martin lauded Trump for his approach to Gaza and recent peace talks, despite Irish parties such as Sinn Fein recently announcing they would boycott St Patrick’s Day events in Washington DC this week.

Michael Fassbender has praised the band Kneecap, after appearing in their award-winning biopic.Released in 2024, Kneecap is the story of the rise of the Belfast rap group of the same name, whose Irish-language raps put a spotlight on the country’s identity.The film’s writer-director, Rich Peppiatt, won the BAFTA for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer at this year’s ceremony. During his acceptance speech, he dedicated his award to everyone who “should have their homeland respected”.Fassbender, best known for the X-Men films and Oscar-winning dramas like 12 Years A Slave, played Arlo Ó Cairealláin, the estranged father of one of the group and a former republican paramilitary who faked his own death to evade British authorities.

BBC has released a statement on why its documentary Gaza: How To Survive A Warzone was pulled from BBC iPlayer.The programme explored the lives of children in Gaza during the current humanitarian crisis there. However, it was removed from iPlayer after it came to light that the 14-year-old boy who narrated it was the son of an official for Palestinian organisation Hamas.The decision prompted over 700 artists, including Kneecap director Rich Peppiatt and Riz Ahmed, to sign a letter under the name Artists For Palestine UK condemning the BBC.The letter reads: “We are UK-based film & TV professionals and journalists writing in support of the BBC documentary Gaza: How To Survive A War Zone, which aired on February 17 on BBC TWO and was subsequently made available on iPlayer.

Kneecap director Rich Peppiatt, Riz Ahmed, and over 700 other artists have signed a letter to the BBC criticising the corporation for pulling a documentary about the lives of children in Gaza.Gaza: How To Survive A War Zone was removed from the iPlayer service after the BBC said it discovered the film’s 13-year-old narrator was the son of an official for Palestinian organisation Hamas. BBC News reported that the board are set to meet to discuss the film today (February 27).An open letter from the network Artists For Palestine UK condemns the decision, and at the time of writing has over 700 signatories from across the entertainment industry.

Kneecap director Rich Peppiatt dedicated his BAFTA Film Award on Sunday night to “everyone out there” who is fighting to “have their homeland respected”.The biopic of the West Belfast hip-hop trio – who are outspoken about their belief in a united Ireland – was the winner of the BAFTA for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer at the ceremony in London’s Royal Festival Hall on Sunday (February 16).The film, shot largely in the Irish language and starring the band members as themselves, was nominated in a total of six categories but was successful in just one.Peppiatt said he was “absolutely honoured” to be accepting the award, telling the audience that his wife had convinced him to move to Belfast a decade ago, and just a few weeks later he met the group.Winner of the award for Outstanding Debut is Rich Peppiatt for Kneecap

Kneecap have announced a North American headline tour for later this year. Find all the details below.The Belfast rap trio are due to hit the road in the US and Canada this autumn in support of their acclaimed 2024 debut studio album, ‘Fine Art’.Kicking off in Louisville on October 3, the forthcoming trek will also see Kneecap take to the stage in Nashville, Philadelphia, New York, Toronto, Detroit, Chicago, Vancouver, Portland and other cities throughout the month.The huge 15-date run of shows will conclude with a performance in San Francisco on October 27.“All American and Canadian heads… We are BACK in October,” Kneecap wrote to announce the tour on social media, alongside an official poster.A post shared by KNEECAP (@kneecap32)Tickets go on sale at 10am local time this Friday (January 31) – you’ll be able to buy yours here.

Kneecap have dropped a new mix of their fan favourite track ‘H.O.O.D’ for 2025, as well as a variety of remixes. Check them out below.Shared back in 2021 as a self-release, the track has gone on to become a favourite among fans and a staple part of the trio’s live sets.

Kneecap have announced plans for a huge arena concert in Dublin to cap off 2025.The Northern Irish hip-hop trio will perform at Dublin 3Arena on December 17. Tickets go on sale at 10am next Friday (January 31) and can be purchased here.

Kneecap has officially been left out of the 2025 Oscar nominations, and neither the band or their fans are happy about it.The semi-autobiographical comedy-drama based on the Irish hip-hop trio of the same name, Kneecap had been tipped as a contender in both the Best International Feature Film and Best Original Song categories, but today’s nomination announcement revealed that they were shut out of both.The Northern Irish band, comprising of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí, shared their reaction to being snubbed on social media, posting “Fuck the Oscars. Free Palestine.” on X and Instagram.A post shared by KNEECAP (@kneecap32)Their response is in line with their reaction to the news of a ceasefire in Gaza on January 16, where they posted “we must not forget what Israel has done”.Fans also shared their disappointment at the film’s omission online.

BBC.Model Bella Hadid, who is of Palestinian descent – and has continually advocated for an end to the war with sister Gigi – shared on Instagram Stories a clip of Palestinians celebrating the deal. “My heart is in pieces”, she wrote.

Fontaines D.C. frontman Grian Chatten joined Kneecap on stage to perform ‘Better Way To Live’ in Belfast last night (December 21).

Kneecap’s Móglái Bap has passed away just ahead of the band’s biggest ever headline show in Belfast, with the band vowing to play the gig “for him”.As confirmed by a post on the hip-hop trio’s social media, Gearóid Ó Cairealláin, 67, died on Friday (December 20), with the band writing: “He was an Irish language revolutionary, community activist, loving father, husband and an inspiration to many. We are heartbroken.”Kneecap play a headline show at Belfast’s SSE Arena tonight (December 21), which has been described as the largest Irish language gig in the city’s history.

Kneecap has been shortlisted for two Oscars – Best International Feature and Best Original Song.The comedy biopic, which focuses on the rise of the Belfast hip-hop group, has been included among 15 films shortlisted for the International Feature category and 14 others for Best Original Song.Band members Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin and JJ Ó Dochartaigh star in the film, which is based on a semi-fictionalised account of how the west Belfast rap group was formed.A post shared by KNEECAP (@kneecap32) The Irish Film and Television Academy (IFTA) selected the film for Ireland’s official submission. Nominations for the 2025 Oscars will be announced January 17, ahead of the awards ceremony which is set to take place on March 2 in Los Angeles.NME caught up with Kneecap at Reading and Leeds Festival in August to speak about meeting Noel Gallagher and Paul Mescal at Glastonbury and what a potential Oscar nomination would mean to them.

Kneecap has taken home seven wins at the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA), including a joint lead accolade for its stars.The comedy biopic, which focuses on the rise of the Belfast hip-hop group, also won major awards including Best British Independent Film and Best Debut Screenwriter for Rich Peppiatt.Band members Liam Óg Ó Hannaidh, Naoise Ó Cairealláin and JJ Ó Dochartaigh won Best Joint Lead Performance at last night’s (December 8) ceremony at London’s Roundhouse, while the film also won four craft awards ahead of the ceremony.It was also a good night for Rungano Nyoni’s On Becoming A Guinea Fowl, Sandhya Suri’s Santosh and Pinny Gryllsa and Sam Crane’s Grand Theft Hamlet, which each won two awards, while Anora took home Best International Independent Film.Marianne Jean-Baptiste won Best Lead Performance for her turn in Mike Leigh’s Hard Truths, while Franz Rogowski won Best Supporting Performance for Andrea Arnold’s Bird.NME described Kneecap as “arguably one of the best music biopics of all time” in our five-star review, naming it as our best film of 2024.The full list of BIFA winners are below:Best British Independent FilmBest International Independent FilmBest DirectorBest Joint Lead PerformanceBest ScreenplayBest Lead PerformanceBest Supporting PerformanceBest Debut DirectorBest Debut ScreenwriterBreakthrough ProducerRaindance Maverick AwardBest Debut Director – Feature DocumentaryBreakthrough PerformanceBest Feature DocumentaryBest British Short Film

Kneecap have imparted some words of wisdom to fans, sharing their 10 rules to live by. Check out the full list below.The Irish rap trio shared their outlook on life in a new Instagram post, uploaded this morning (December 3). In the update, they revealed that WePresent – WeTransfer’s award-winning digital arts and editorial platform – had reached out and asked for them to share a “manifesto”.As a result, they came up with a list of 10 rules that they live by, and would recommend to others.For the most part, these included staples like being kinder to yourself, using your position to stand up for those who are victims of oppression, and embracing the differences across cultures with open arms.“The heads at @wepresent asked us to write a manifesto…..some rules to live by.

Kneecap.The Belfast trio originally accused the government of attempting to “silence” them, following a last-minute block in February of funds from the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) funding award – issued under the Music Export Growth Scheme (MEGS) to support the expansion of bands in global markets.Kneecap alleged that the government had stopped the funding due to their provocative 2019 anti-DUP tour poster, which they claimed “pissed off the Tories”.Then, in June, the band revealed that they had been granted permission to challenge the block, with a court appearance scheduled for November 14. They argued that the government’s denial of the grant unlawfully discriminated against them based on their nationality and political opinion.Now, a court has ruled that the move was in fact illegal, and Kneecap have received the £14,250 prize, which they revealed they have distributed to two charities in Belfast.In a statement shared today (November 29), the band wrote: “Today, unsurprisingly the British government’s own courts ruled that they acted illegally in stopping funding to Kneecap.“For us this action was never about £14,250, it could have been 50 pence.

The Pogues have spoken to NME about their 2025 tour in celebration of the 40th anniversary of ‘Rum Sodomy & The Lash’, playing without Shane MacGowan, and how Fontaines D.C. helped pave the way for the run of dates.The Irish icons recently announced their first headline tour in 13 years – and first since the passing of Shane MacGowan – which will feature the original members James Fearnley, Jem Finer and Spider Stacy, alongside a cast of guests standing in for the late frontman.It will come off the back of two shows that commemorate 40 years of The Pogues’ debut album ‘Red Roses For Me’ this year.