With the release of their self-titled film earlier this year, west-Belfast rappers KNEECAP have gained traction for their satirical and provocative lyrics, seamlessly mixing Irish Gaelic with English.

The gritty charm and cultural legacy of Barrowlands make it the perfect venue for a KNEECAP show. DJ Provai opens the set with ‘3CAG’ from their latest release Fine Art, before rappers Moglai Bap and Mo Chara swarm the stage, performing ‘It’s Been Ages’ with rapid harmonic bursts and dub-heavy yells.

Witnessing the relentless energy which they’ve built their name on is something to behold, the trio rattling through their set in an hour and a half of raw, sharp, and furious soundscapes. The crowd was filled with the usual diehards, wearing GAA kit and DJ Provai’s balaclava which inspired their sophomore album’s cover art and has become a staple of their image.

Barrowlands was illuminated with Irish as well as Palestinian flags, ramping up the politically charged atmosphere. Moglai Bap recently announced that he is running 10km everyday whilst on tour to raise funds to send food parcels to Palestinians, announcing that so far they have raised an incredible £26,000.

The high-octane performance turns the Barras into a pulsating mix of mosh pits and communal chants throughout, especially during fan favourites ‘Parful’, ‘Fine Art’, ‘Get Your Brits Out’ and ‘H.O.O.D’.

KNEECAP are not my typical gig fare, but seeing them deliver a captivating performance for the second time this year, I now understand the hype. However, I get the feeling that this is the last of their ‘intimate’ gigs as they are bound to be headlining festivals next summer and have already confirmed a huge Finsbury Park show with another rapidly rising band from the emerald isle, Fontaines D.C. Expect much the same from this trio.