BANDS WITH BO**OCKS – KNEECAP & FONTAINES D.C. PUSH THE BOUNDARIES OF FREE SPEECH AND ACTIVISM

There is no doubt that throughout many epochs of history, music has acted as a wonderfully powerful catalyst for change. It can certainly become very disillusioning and disheartening when some artists decide to shy away from using their platforms in full for meaningful and impactful causes, especially when so many others have proven just how incredible the impact and influence they can have. The likes of Kneecap and Fontaines D.C. are perfect cases in point for bands who prove that they are certainly unafraid of voicing it loud and clear in challenging the status quo but, instead, showcasing just how artistry could and should be used more to drive social discourse in ways of inspiring change. The politically charged words they write and the dynamic actions they take remind us all of the true power music has to empower the audience and evoke deep thought. That lives on in perpetuity through the ages, continuously resonating with the public everywhere, surely showing that music is one force that can bring vital change both socially and politically within our world today.

The 1960s and 70s were the heyday of protest music. Artists like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, and Nina Simone used their creative output to give voice to the most crucial issues of the time: racial disparity, war, and civil rights. Dylan’s “Blowin’ in the Wind” came to be something of an emblematic anthem to the civil rights movement, and Simone’s “Mississippi Goddam” was a raw, angry reaction to the bombing of a church in Birmingham, Alabama, and the murder of Medgar Evers. More than giving voice to the need for change, these musicians were actively trying to inspire it. The 1980s and 90s didn’t see the end of musicians using their platforms for activism. The music of Rage Against the Machine served as a rallying cry against corporate greed and government corruption. Their song “Killing in the Name” remains a powerful protest anthem to this day.

KNEECAP

The tradition of using music for political activism lives on today. One of the more relevant groups to come out of this cultural movement is Irish rap collective Kneecap. Known for the controversy surrounding their lyrics and public, vocal political views, the group has used their stage to challenge the status quo, promoting instead an idea of Irish unity. Most recently, they won a court case against the UK government after their funding had been pulled due to political ideology.

This victory was more than financial profit; it was a statement against censorship and for the freedom of artistic expression. The lawsuit against Kneecap started after Kemi Badenoch, then a minister of the Conservative Party, declined to award them an arts grant during her tenure as business secretary. The group said this was discriminatory based on their political ideology. The matter came before the Belfast High Court which struck down the decision to refuse funding as unlawful and procedurally unfair. It held that the decision took account of irrelevant factors while failing to have regard for relevant ones.

The victory of Kneecap was celebrated as a major coup for artistic culture and the Good Friday Agreement. The organisation stated that the legal action was not primarily motivated by financial gain but rather by the principles of equality and freedom to express their point of view. They revealed that the awarded grant money would be shared among two community groups in Belfast, representing one nationalist neighbourhood and one unionist neighbourhood, both with a view to benefiting youth charities.

FONTAINES DC

In a similar regard, Fontaines D.C. have been widely noted for their involvement in political activism. At the Rolling Stone UK Awards, the band’s guitarist, Carlos O’Connell, made a controversial speech, condemning Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Zionism while expressing solidarity with Palestine. This was not an isolated incident; the band has continued to use their platform to raise awareness of political issues, such as cancelling shows in support of Palestine and including social issues in their lyrics.

The Peace Project

The Peace Project, founded by Jeremy Corbyn, is a movement that brings together musicians and artists to campaign for social and economic justice, peace, and human rights. Over 1,000 artists have signed up to the project, including Paloma Faith, Rag N Bone Man, Sam Fender, The Libertines, and many more. Its “Music For A Ceasefire” campaign was demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and for the bombardment of Palestine to stop. This open letter garnered huge support from the music fraternity, further proving the powers of collective action in the music industry. The impact this kind of musician is influential over and beyond the workplace, as they use their base to talk about political things to also make their followers politically motivated, reminding us that music isn’t just fun alone, but a powerful tool which can be used to change stuff around. Through avenues such as protest songs or assertive declarations during awards ceremonies, artists like Kneecap, Fontaines D.C., and the Peace Project continue to push against traditional boundaries while using their platforms to advocate for the fight toward a fairer world. In a time marked by often very polarising political discourse, music carries a special power to unite and drive mass action.

While it is true that many artists make use of their influential platforms to share their views and advocate for important issues affecting the world, there is, unfortunately, a great number who would like to enjoy a high profile in the public eye yet wish to avoid at all costs speaking out on issues touching on politics or social concern. By so doing, this tendency becomes an immense missed opportunity for the artist to engage the influence he or she has built to touch the world around him or her with the power to effect positive change. Real leadership in music extends beyond the quest for fame and fortune but also calls for taking a stand on important issues and using one’s voice for the cause of a better world for all.

As long as there are causes that need a voice and voices wanting to be heard, a brave percentage of artists will fearlessly continue to use their stages in the quest to create change.