Kneecap Stages Shocking St. Patrick’s Day Performance with King George V’s Head

During a memorable St. Patrick's Day weekend show, the rap group Kneecap embraced their radical political roots by showcasing a severed statue head, creating a buzz that intertwined local history with modern critique.

In a recent performance celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Melbourne, the Northern Irish rap group Kneecap captivated the audience with a striking stage prop: what appeared to be the severed head of a statue of King George V. The astonishing sight sparked both reactions and conversations about colonial history and modern protests against imperialism.

“Someone crazy dropped by with this huge bronze King George’s head to enjoy our tunes at the last Melbourne show!” the group revelled in an Instagram post, accompanied by a photo of the colossal head on stage with Mo Chara, one of the group's members. This quirky and provocative presentation added an unforgettable twist to a narrative that has unfolded over the past months in Australia.

The backdrop to this spectacle is a series of recent events, including the decapitation of the towering statue of King George V located in Melbourne’s King’s Domain last June amid rising anti-colonial sentiment. The vandalism had coincided with a wave of similar actions targeting statues of colonial figures throughout the state of Victoria. Interestingly, the head made a brief appearance earlier this year when it was filmed on a barbecue grill, ablaze.

"Allegedly, his head was cut off last year in the city... anyway, it was on stage for a few tunes and then whisked away," the group humorously noted in their post, emphasizing, "Remember every colony can fall 🔥."

Comprising the dynamic trio of Mo Chara, Moglai Bap, and DJ Provai from West Belfast, Kneecap has rapidly gained popularity in the music scene, blending their politically charged messages with electrifying performances. Known for their unapologetically Republican views, the group embraces their Irish heritage and language, often performing in both Irish and English.

As they continue to resonate with audiences, Kneecap’s performances not only entertain but also spark important discussions around identity, history, and the politics of colonization in today's world.