Music Review | Kneecap headline show at Crystal Palace Park

Crystal Palace Park played host to a celebration of Irish and local music 

Kneecap topped a day packed with talent and powerful political messages.

Author | Jordan Leigh

A week of record-breaking heat baked the ground into dust, and by mid-afternoon it hangs in the air, kicked up from the dry earth and drifting over a sea of brightly coloured festivalgoers in orange, green and red, bucket hats and sunglasses, sunburnt arms and bare legs.

The atmosphere is upbeat yet relaxed. Kneecap have assembled a fleadh showcasing some of the finest contemporary and traditional Irish artists. 

First on are Madra Salach, whose trademark is energy, cheek and trad music pushed through a modern, mischievous filter. The Ribbon Factory are excellent, while Paul Banks' vocals, combined with Jack Martin's lead mandolin, evoke Placebo at times. They are certainly a band worth catching.

Similarly, feral Dublin five-piece Gurriers fill the stage with frantic guitar-driven energy. Dan Hoff is a captivating frontman, while Charlie McCarthy has all the presence of a rock star on bass. They are loud, uncompromising and hugely entertaining.

Gurriers supporting Kneecap at Crystal Palace Park. youtu.be/a4yl438ZsIo?...

[image or embed]

— Super News Affiliate (@supernews1.bsky.social) 4 July 2026 at 09:29

The sweeping pop soundscapes of Biig Piig, the Cork-born, London-based singer, provide a welcome change of pace. Her half-sung, half-rapped neo-soul offers a refreshing contrast to the guitar-heavy line-up. Feels Right is a particular highlight. It is a well-curated bill that reflects a youthful spirit.

South London favourites Fat Dog are next. They are gloriously chaotic and enormous fun, with singer Joe Love climbing down to the barrier to immerse himself in the crowd. Yet it is during the soaring, dreamlike melodies of Peace Song, when the song breaks down before the irresistible hooks return, that they are at their strongest.

The prime support slot, naturally, belongs to The Mary Wallopers, and spontaneous circles of céilí dancing spring up across the field as the Dundalk band open with Bold O'Donahue before launching into a run of traditional songs.

Crowds at Crystal Palace Park loving The Mary Wallopers. youtu.be/ydpj6OwYr6c?...

[image or embed]

— SuperNews (@supernews12.bsky.social) 4 July 2026 at 09:40

Founded by Charles and Andrew Hendy, The Mary Wallopers proudly wear the influence of The Dubliners and The Wolfe Tones while blending it with Pogues-inspired punk spirit. Like several artists who have spoken out in support of Palestine, they also found themselves at the centre of festival controversy last summer. 

Loud cheers greet the introduction of The Rich Man And The Poor Man, accompanied by a scathing attack on Elon Musk. Charles ends the song with a clenched fist, shouting "Get it up ya, Elon" before leading chants of "Eat the rich." Their standout moment, however, is Crowns Of England, a jaunty song driven by accordion as Charles recounts the desire to tear down the George's Cross flag.

As afternoon gives way to evening, the crowd continues to grow while the DJ shifts towards electronic music.

Time for Kneecap then...

Éire go Deo, the atmospheric opening track from Kneecap's latest album Fenian, drifts across the park and a huge roar echoes around Crystal Palace as the balaclava-clad DJ Próvaí walks on stage with a raised fist. As he takes his place behind the decks, a banner reading "Fuck Keir Starmer" appears on the giant screens, prompting another deafening response.

Large Kneecap logos flicker into life across the screens, lighting up the darkening sky as the ominous electronic sounds of Smugglers & Scholars roll into the evening. "What's fuckin' happening?" shouts Mo Chara as he bursts on stage, quickly followed by an animated Móglaí Bap, who bellows "London!" before the crowd erupts once again.

The band perform 11 tracks from the new album and, as rain finally begins to fall on the parched park, south London's Kae Tempest joins them on stage for Irish Goodbye just as a rainbow stretches across the sky. Tempest, who co-wrote the song and came out as non-binary in 2020 before coming out as a trans man in 2025, brings real sensitivity to the performance.

The softer, more reflective melody gives Irish Goodbye a tender, raw quality and, as Móglaí Bap sings about his late mother, the set shifts from political defiance to something deeply personal and affecting.

As darkness falls, the scale of the light show, visual effects and graphics becomes ever more striking. Surrounded by festivalgoers in flip-flops, crop tops and T-shirts enjoying the balmy evening, there is a sense of a Goa beach party as Kneecap embrace their rave influences with towering tracks such as Rhino Ket, Parful and H.O.O.D.

The night ends with more songs of rebellion. Eventually, a wonderful day concludes just in time for the curfew. 

What a night. Up the rebels.