14,000 STRONG AND COUNTING: KNEECAP’S HYDRO HEIST IS ONE FOR THE RECORD

THIS IS WHAT 14,000 FENIAN C**TS LOOK LIKE

LIVE REVIEW | KNEECAP | OVO HYDRO, GLASGOW | 30th November 2025

A home away from home, Glasgow has always been and will always be a second home for Kneecap. Usually taking up residency at the legendary Barrowlands, this time around the trio have made the move to the colossal OVO Hydro. A move which could have – and probably should have – diluted Kneecap’s usual frenetic energy, but if anything, the scale intensified it.

Part political rally, part rave and part mosh-pit, the sold out arena show confirmed that the Belfast trio – Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí – are giving way more than just a gig, but spearheading a cultural movement that goes beyond their discography.

A sea of balaclava’s, tri-colour’s and celtic strips filled the room, a 14,000 strong crowd of ‘Fenian Cunts’ has never looked – or felt – so bloody good in Glasgow. As the haunting melodies of ‘3CAG‘ echoed around the arena, the atmosphere was genuinely hairs on the back of your neck style electric. Everybody knew it was time for something truly special.

As the band of the year emerged from the shadows, the roar from the crowd sent ripples across the Clyde. From the opening bass-heavy assault of ‘ITS BEEN AGES‘, shifting from the infectious bounce of ‘Better Way To Live’ to the smooth R&B grooves of ‘Sick In The Head’, the Hydro floor was a swirling mass of energy. Newer singles ‘No Comment’ and ‘Sayonara’ felt like classics already with thousands of voices echoing every word. Whether it be in English or Irish Gaelic, every lyric hit like an uncomfortable but understood truth.

Kneecap make no secret of their love for Scotland, and it’s not just because of their mutual love of a certain Glasgow football team (although DJ Próvaí did go all in, proudly displaying the famous Celtic badge on his desk throughout the show). Still, us Scots have a lot in common with our Irish neighbours that transcends football and mass immigration: and that’s our mutual loathing of the British Government.

‘Get Your Brits Out’ is preceded by a heartfelt dedication to all the “paedo’s in the Royal family”, and soon enough a wholesome chant of “If you hate the royal family clap your hands” echoes throughout the Hydro. Paying tribute to Margaret Thatcher with chants of “Maggie’s in a box” ringing across the Hydro, there’s no doubt of Kneecap’s commitment to the rebellion.

The biggest moments of the night though belonged with Kneecap’s ongoing support for Palestinians. “FREE FREE PALESTINE” is far more than just a performative motion for Kneecap: it’s one that’s deep rooted in genuine and long standing solidarity. Whilst the media and even the courts try to shrink the movement, Kneecap and their pissed off army of fans don’t allow for anymore silence. Expressing their genuine disgust of the arrests made towards Palestine Action protesters over the past few months, the band give a welcomed shout out to the elderly population who have faced scrutiny and arrest since the protest group was outlawed.

Everything about Kneecap’s biggest Scottish headline was special, but the final few tracks brought the show to another level. ‘C.E.A.R.T.A’ showed an impressive number of local Irish language conversions whilst ‘H.O.O.D’ completely ripped the roof off the OVO Hydro. But it was DJ Próvaí throwing himself into the depths of the pit for the explosive ‘Recap’ finale that really topped the night off – it’s a genuine miracle that he made it back to stage safety!

This band are far more than just a bunch of entertainers; they provoke and unite audiences like nobody we’ve seen before. Their commitment and unwavering solidarity continue to resonate deeply with the Glasgow audience and successfully create an shared atmosphere that builds on happily saying “fuck you” to those who try to stop the revolution. 14,000 strong and counting, Kneecap are not going anywhere.