Eagerly awaited Kneecap concert given the go-ahead by Derry councillors

The eagerly awaited Kneecap concert in Derry has been given the go-ahead by local councillors.

The rap-trio will perform in Templemore Sports Complex on Saturday, November 23.

Councillors approved the concert at today's special meeting of Derry and Strabane District Council's Licensing, Health and Community committee.

Orginially the concert was due to be held in St Columb's Park, however following objections from the Waterside area and unionist politicians, the gig was relocated to the city side.

Last month DUP Foyle MLA Gary Middleton said many unionists objected to St Columb's Park staging the event due to Kneecap's 'provocative' and 'controversial' lyrics.

Kneecap was formed in 2017 by three friends who go by the stage names of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí.

Their rise to fame recently inspired a semi-fictionalised film starring Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender, which gained rave reviews and last month won an audience award at the Sundance Film Festival.

At today's meeting, councillors backed recommendations from council officers to approve the concert being held in the grounds of Templemore Sports Complex.

SDLP councillor Brian Tierney highlighted the 'need for a dedicated venue space' within the council district to avoid any more issues with future concerts.

Cllr Tierney said: "The saga around this entire thing points out the need for a dedicated venue space within this council district, particularly from my perspective within the Derry side of this council district to hold and be able to cater for very quick-turnaround music events."

He added that the people of Derry were looking forward to having the band 'of the calibre of Kneecap' playing in the city.

Sinn Féin councillor Aishling Hutton said it was 'a pity' that it took so long to approve the concert.

Cllr Hutton said: "It is a pity that we did get to this stage. Meetings after meetings after meetings, but we're here, it's happening and it's something that this city and district has been wanting and it's now getting."

Cllr Hutton also agreed with Cllr Tierney's calls for a dedicated venue space for the city.

DUP councillor Niree McMorris said her party had no objections for the concert to go ahead provided all processes had be completed.

Sinn Féin councillor Paul Boggs slammed Alderman McMorris' comments, describing them as insulting towards council officers.

He said: "For anyone to try and suggest and allude to the fact that things may not have been followed or the process may not have been followed is utterly and frankly disgusting and is in complete contempt of the good work an due diligence that council officers show in this council with all events and planning applications and everything in between."

Cllr Tierney thanked the promotors and the band for 'sticking with' the process. 

He said: "They could have went somewhere else, and that's the reality of this. They didn't. They stuck with in and put in a number of applications. They wanted to bring this band to this city and it's because of them holding on and with the confidence they've been given from council officers around the process is why we're actually here today."

He also stated this the concert is a 'good news story' for Derry.

Alderman McMorris defended her comments saying, "at no stage have I ever intimated that no process was followed or that in any way council officers didn't follow the process".

Councillors unanimously agreed to approve the event.