A Kneecap concert which was due to be held in Derry’s St. Columb’s Park next month is set to change venues.
Derry City and Strabane District Council confirmed that they had received a new application for an Entertainments License for the concert to take place in the grounds of Templemore Sports Complex on November 23.
The council said the application is being considered in line with the statutory processes and their own procedures.
While originally set to be held in the city’s Waterside, the concert had received backlash from unionist politicians in the city due to its location.
The DUP’s MLA for Foyle, Gary Middleton, had previously said that there were concerns about bringing the rap group, which mixes Irish and English lyrics, to the “shared space”.
“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,” he told BBC Radio Foyle.
He said that he was aware of around 100 concerned residents who were opposed to the event.
The Belfast Telegraph reported that unionist councillors objected to the concert at a private council meeting two weeks ago.
Kneecap member DJ Próvaí is from the city, while both Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap are from west Belfast.
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Event organisers Sorcass had previously said that they weren’t ruling out changing the venue if St. Columb’s Park could not be used.
The event had to be pushed back from November 2 to November 23 due to logistical reason following objections, but the organisers say it will not stop the event going ahead.
Fans of the group are set to come from around the world to Derry for the show.
“We were prepared for this. Yes, there were attempts to block this show, but we will not be silenced. Art cannot be censored. Culture cannot be stifled. This show is about more than just music—it’s about freedom of expression, and we’re determined to see it through,” they said.
“They say ‘No,’ but we say ‘Yes’—bigger, stronger, and more determined than ever.”
Event organisers and the DUP and UUP were contacted for comment.
