Kneecap Derry concert rescheduled amid 'objections' could move to GAA stadium, promoter suggests
The promoters of a Kneecap concert in Derry that's now been rescheduled say GAA stadium Celtic Park could be an option if they're forced to move venue.
It was announced by promoters Sorcass earlier this week that, amid what they described as "objections from local representatives", the Derry gig has been rescheduled to November 23.
The Irish language trio - made up of rappers Mo Chara and Móglaí Bap from Belfast and DJ Provai from Derry - had originally been set to play at St Columb's Park in the Waterside on November 2 - the weekend of Halloween.
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While promoters Sorcass insist the gig will go ahead on the new date of November 23, they admitted during a radio interview on Friday morning that they are exploring alternative venues in case the Kneecap concert can't go ahead at St Columb's Park.
In a statement earlier this week, a spokesperson Sorcass said: "In light of overwhelming public support and unexpected objections from local representatives, the highly anticipated Kneecap show in Derry has been rescheduled to November 23rd, 2024. Organizers have been blown away by the enthusiastic response from fans in Derry, across Europe, the USA, Scotland, and beyond, with tickets selling out rapidly and a groundswell of excitement building around the event."
"Despite the success in ticket sales, a number of objections have been raised by certain local representatives who have expressed opposition to the event. These actions, however, will not deter the team behind the show. In compliance with local regulations, organizers have taken the necessary steps to ensure the event proceeds successfully, including shifting the date to November 23rd."
Sorcass director Patrick Duddy, speaking to BBC Radio Foyle on Friday morning, said: "It has to be remembered that these guys are now massive. They sold out a UK tour. They sold out an American tour. They're on the way to Australia and New Zealand next year. We are selling tickets - and this is factual - to Paris, New York, Amsterdam, Italy, Andorra, Tel Aiv, the West Bank, England - these are all people that were flying in to Derry. We were close to selling out and this was three weeks or two weeks out, so we knew we were selling out."
He added: "I'm sure that we will be here on Nocember 23, whether it's St Columb's Park or another venue because we have to keep our options open. We're not ruling out a move but what we are definitely committing to is that Kneecap will be here in Derry on the 23rd of November."
On the different options being assessed in the event the gig does need to be moved, he said: "Possibly Pennyburn. Templemore Sports Complex as well is a different site. We've looked at a few others, like Celtic Park as well just to try as a possibility - you know, with the Derry [county] board we're still in conversations with that. We haven't been able to commit to one site as such, yet."
While the "objections from local representatives" referred to by Sorcass in their statement have not yet been made public, the DUP MLA for the area Gary Middleton said bringing a "provocative, controversial" act such as Kneecap to St Columb's Park is "not a wise idea".
"Kneecap have performed in the city previously," he said. "They performed at the Nerve Centre. St Columb's Park is a genuine, shared space for people."
Mr Middleton added: "The idea of bringing a group such as Kneecap - a provocative, controversial group with all that goes with it in terms of their lyrics and behaviour - the idea of bringing that to the park is something which I think the majority of people will recognise is not a wise idea."
Kneecap, meanwhile, has gone from strength-to-strength in recent months with their 2024 biographical film - also titled Kneecap - having premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January and been selected as Ireland's entry for the Oscars.
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