What does it mean to assert one’s cultural pride through music, especially through the sound of hip-hop? Irish political hip-hop trio Kneecap delivered a rebellious yet powerful extravaganza at The Glass House Pomona on April 17^th, 2025. Their performance at Pomona was part of their 2025 North American tour (including their Coachella debut), to celebrate their recently released album Fine Art and their remix album of their popular song “H.O.O.D”.

Their North American tour also celebrates the group’s recent release of their Sundance award-winning autobiographical film by Rich Peppiatt Kneecap (2024) – a rebelliously humorous yet profound account about the group’s rise to fame set in the late 2010s, with all of the group members, Mo Chara (Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh), Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Caireallain), and DJ Próvaí (J.J. Ó Dochartaigh) starring as themselves. As discussed in their semi-autobiographical film, the night at Pomona was also about asserting the group’s cultural pride by spreading and preserving the Irish language and West Belfast (Northern Ireland) culture through their music. Needless to say, their powerful message resonated deeply amidst the politically ambiguous state of the world, along with their mix of humorous yet invigorating energy for the audience.

Before Kneecap’s performance, the indestructibly enthusiastic English punk rock duo Soft Play took to the stage. With the thunderous drumming of Isaac Holman and unfathomably high-spirited guitar riffs of Laurie Vincent, Soft Play crazed the audience with their distortion-filled punk rock music. Throughout the set, Soft Play’s menacing yet electrifying energy surely left an impression on the audience, with Laurie Vincent jumping around the stage while playing his intricate guitar riffs, along with Isaac Holman’s commanding maneuver in controlling the pacing of their performance.

As the fans at The Glass House got energized by Soft Play’s zestful performance, DJ Próvaí (while wearing his signature knitted balaclava with Irish flag colorways) confidently appeared at his DJ booth on the stage. Under the mist-filled neon lighting, DJ Próvaí played the first track of the night, 3CAG – a slow instrumental trap track with intricate layers of melodic instruments. Following the building anticipation, Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap slowly walked onto the stage, as DJ Próvaí began playing the next track of their set, It’s Been Ages. Under its slowly paced trap track, Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap began rapping with a mix of English and Irish language – again, asserting their cultural pride to their fans. Along with Móglaí Bap’s reserved low-tone rapping, contrasted with Mo Chara’s energetic growl, the mixed English and Irish lyrics of their songs were further emphasized to the fans at The Glass House.

Even though the majority of their setlist songs directly discussed the historical tragedy in Northern Ireland (especially regarding the “Troubles,” which was an ethno-nationalist conflict that took place from the 1960s to the late 1990s), the range of rhythm, mood, and emotions varied across their songs. At the beginning of their set, Kneecap performed more of a calmer and groovier flow of songs, with boom-bap driven songs such as Amach Anocht and slow-paced R&B/soul and Afroswing songs such as Thart agus Thart. But as soon as Kneecap reached the second half of their set, the fans’ sentimental mood immediately shifted to an upbeat mood with overflowing energy and emotions, through bass-riveting trap songs such as I bhFiacha Linne and Fine Art, as well as synth-infused boom bap songs such as Guilty Conscience.

Kneecap’s rebellious yet delightfully infectious aura continued throughout the night, as it concluded with their dominating finale performance of their popular song “H.O.O.D.” – which involved DJ Próvaí crowd surfing amidst Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap fiercely delivering their lyrics. Kneecap’s presence has surely vitalized the fans at The Glass Door through various degrees – from cheekily encouraging the audience to purchase Kneecap’s merch, sparking a safely guided mosh pit for the fans to enjoy their music, but most importantly, delivering their political statement to the audience.

Kneecap’s performance at The Glass Door wasn’t a mere hip-hop concert but a peaceful yet electrifying act of resistance. Perhaps, it was also a sincere reminder for the audience to be conscious of their world and to take proactive initiatives to live a fuller, more meaningful life.

Setlist:

1. 3CAG
2. Its Been Ages
3. Amach Anocht
4. Fenian Cunts
5. Thart agus Thart
6. Better Way to Live
7. Sick in the Head
8. Your Sniffer Dogs Are Shite
9. I bhFiacha Linne
10. I’m Flush
11. Fine Art
12. Rhino Ket
13. Guilty Conscience
14. E.A.R.T.A
15. Parful
16. Get Your Brits Out
17. H.O.O.D