Kneecap met up with Ed Sheeran ahead of a recent live show and introduced the singer to Buckfast and Beamish.
The moment took place last night (October 29) at one of the Irish band’s multiple shows at the Vicar Street venue in Dublin.
Posting a series of images and clips from the gig on their social media channels, the trio shared two photos of them with the pop giant while backstage. The two images shared on X/Twitter came alongside the caption: “Introducing Ed to Buckfast & Beamish” – referring to the famous tonic wine and Irish stout.
In one of the photos, they’re all seen having a swig of the former, while the second photo shows them holding up the bottles to the camera.
Introducing Ed to Buckfast & Beamish 🤝 pic.twitter.com/wtqZ6Nd9vH
— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) October 30, 2024
More images were shared on Kneecap’s Instagram post, which also included footage from the lively gig, as well as a shot backstage of member Móglaí Bap sitting atop seven crates of Beamish.
It also shows the inside of the venue during what seems to be before doors were opened to ticketholders – with a big banner reading “Free Palestine” hanging above the standing section.
The ongoing residency at Vicar Street is set to continue tonight (October 30) ahead of two more shows – one on Thursday (31) and one on Friday (November 1). Visit here for any remaining tickets.
Last night’s show came just hours after Kneecap announced details of a huge 2025 performance, which is set to be their “biggest live show” to date. It’ll be held at Fairview Park on June 19, and tickets go on sale this Saturday (November 2) at 10am GMT (buy yours here).
Ed Sheeran isn’t the only huge name from the pop world who is a fan of Kneecap. Just last month, Sir Elton John also shared his fondness for the trio – describing them as “amazing”.
“I find that your music tackles controversial subjects and you’ve said, unless we make a topic of it, unless we make fun of it, it’s never going to get any better,” he said during a discussion with them on his Rocket Hour podcast (via Irish News).
“I think you’re very brave to do that, you’re very brave to speak out, and you come from a humorous place – and it just makes me happy.”
He continued: “Now, you wouldn’t think an old softie like me would be interested in Kneecap, but I am, because the energy, the music, the power – the power, the power. Not many people have that power. And I wish you so much luck on your touring. I’ll try and come and track you down, give you a big hug and we’ll have a great time. But I think you’re amazing.”
Similarly, Chris Martin told us in an exclusive interview that he had been won over by the trio after discovering them on NME. During that same chat, he also shared his praise for fellow Irish talent, Fontaines D.C..
As well as the remaining Vicar Street gigs and an upcoming headline show at Fairview Park, Kneecap are gearing up for some other huge live shows across 2025. These include slots opening for Fontaines D.C. at both their show in London’s Finsbury Park next July, and their Manchester show at Wythenshawe Park in August.
Last week, Kneecap were also listed alongside Million Dead, Taking Back Sunday, Alexisonfire and many more for the stacked line-up for 2000Trees 2025.
Before then though, the band will continue their run of headline shows across the UK and Ireland throughout the remainder of this year. These include gigs in London, Sheffield, Manchester, Glasgow and more throughout November and December. Visit here for any remaining tickets.
The news of the Dublin show comes amid a huge year for Kneecap so far, including the release of their critically acclaimed debut album ‘Fine Art’, which arrived back in June and earned a glowing five-star review from NME, and grabbed a space on the NME list of The 10 Best Debut Albums of 2024 so far.
“Móglaí Bap and Mo Chara rap over DJ Próvaí’s intoxicating beats without ever losing your attention. Skipping between English and Irish, language is no barrier to a good time,” the review read. “In the dark of the night out, the moment is all that matters and the rave will set you free. To shout that in a ‘dying’ language on a record that couldn’t sound any more alive? That’s power – and Kneecap have it.”
Around the same time, the trio shared a groundbreaking film, which starred Michael Fassbender and arrived in cinemas back in August.
Written and directed by Rich Peppiatt, the feature-length film, titled after the group, was also previewed at Glastonbury Festival’s cinema tent, and won the Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival in January.
Kneecap was given a full five stars by NME too, and described as “one of the best music biopics ever made”. As well as being hailed by NME, the movie has been submitted by Ireland for the Oscars next year.
The review read: “Essentially, Kneecap are pissing off everyone on all sides of the social and political spectrum – when all they want to do is speak their truth in their own tongue. As they put it, it’s a fight to be seen in a place that never wanted you to exist. Bringing their aggy music to life, loaded with thrills, pills and bellyaches, while sensitively reflecting the hangover of The Struggles, the film lands as a clash of 8 Mile and Trainspotting with a dash of Steve McQueen’s Hunger.
“Just like their insane live shows and debut album ‘Fine Art’, it’s one hell of a laugh. However it’s also full of heart; telling a real working class story as a call for unity without punching down or patronising. Anyone who compares it to People Just Do Nothing or The Young Offenders can get in the bin.”
In June, Kneecap spoke to NME as part of The Cover, and opened up about their breakthrough, as well as the misconceptions that surround them.
Reflecting on what has impacted them as artists, Móglaí Bap said: “That’s why we’ve got all these class bands [in Ireland…] Confidence gives you the opportunity to look inwards. If you lack confidence, then you look outside of yourself to find it in other people and places. Our generation has that opportunity to be introspective.”
