Kneecap's Show Features a Giant Head of King George V in Melbourne

During a recent performance in Melbourne, Kneecap received a "huge" King George V head that was cut from a statue, sparking conversations around colonialism and cultural identity.

Kneecap's Unique Melbourne Experience

The Irish rap trio Kneecap created quite the buzz during their show in Melbourne when they were presented with a “huge” head of King George V, which has an intriguing backstory. This head was removed from a statue that was vandalized during a protest; the statue was beheaded and splattered with red paint in June 2024, a gesture that echoed a series of attacks on colonial monuments in Victoria.

As Kneecap reflected in a post on X/Twitter, they stated, “Some madman dropped by with a huge King George’s head so he could hear a few tunes for our last Melbourne show!” They humorously added, “Allegedly his head was cut off last year in the city… anyways he was put on stage for a few tunes and then whisked away…remember every colony can fall 🔥.”

“Well well a chairde Gael! Some madman dropped by with a huge King George’s head so he could hear a few tunes for our last Melbourne show!” — KNEECAP

Challenging Colonial Narratives

Kneecap has been vocal about their views on colonization, which they elaborated on in an interview last year. They stirred the crowd into a chant of “Brits out” during a performance in Belfast shortly after the Prince and Princess of Wales visited the venue.

Mo Chara explained the chant’s significance: “If you’re from Ireland, you understand that it means nothing to do with citizens or people who identify as British. It’s a term used during The Troubles about getting the British government and British soldiers out of Ireland. That was it; it was a political thing.”

This sentiment inspired their song ‘Get Your Brits Out’. Móglaí Bap shared the intention behind it, saying, “That was the idea: we’re getting the Brits out and giving them all ecstasy because they’re so stressed from complaining about gay marriage and stuff for so long.” DJ Próvaí humorously added, “They hate the gays, they hate dinosaurs… They hate everyone who loves a party, basically.”

An Unforgettable Performance in Melbourne

While touring Australia, Kneecap also organized a free concert in Melbourne’s Federation Square, catering to fans who couldn’t secure tickets to their original show. This spontaneous gathering attracted approximately 10,000 attendees, showcasing the band’s popularity and the strong desire for community engagement through music.

Looking Ahead

In exciting news for fans, Kneecap is set to conclude 2025 with a massive concert in Dublin. Additionally, they will perform their “biggest ever live show” at Fairview Park in the city this summer, making it a year packed with unforgettable musical experiences.

The post detailing Kneecap’s Melbourne show and the giant head of King George V highlights not only the band’s humor but also their commitment to exploring and challenging colonial histories through their music.

FAQs

• What prompted the King George V statue's vandalism? The statue was beheaded and painted red in protests against colonial monuments in Victoria, highlighting growing public sentiment against colonial legacies.
• What message does Kneecap convey with their music? Kneecap's music often critiques colonial narratives and advocates for political and social change, particularly in relation to Irish identity and history.
• Where did Kneecap perform during their Australian tour? They played gigs in several cities, including a free show in Melbourne's Federation Square that drew around 10,000 attendees.
• What does the chant “Brits out” signify? It references historical calls for British withdrawal from Ireland during The Troubles, reflecting ongoing tensions related to colonialism and identity.
• What future events are planned for Kneecap? The band is set to perform a massive arena concert in Dublin and their largest live show at Fairview Park during the summer of 2025.

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