Kneecap’s Controversial Stunt: King George V’s Head Takes Center Stage in Melbourne

In a bold and irreverent move, the rap trio Kneecap featured what appeared to be the head of a decapitated King George V statue during their St. Patrick’s Day show in Melbourne. This act, linking to ongoing anticolonial sentiments and vandalism, continues the debate over historical statues and colonialism.

At their recent show in Melbourne to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, the politically charged Northern Irish rap group Kneecap made waves by bringing what looked like the severed head of a King George V statue onstage. The statue, a symbol of colonial power, was decapitated last year in what is seen as part of a broader movement against colonial symbols.

“Some madman dropped by with a huge King George’s head so he could hear a few tunes for our last Melbourne show!” the trio shared on their Instagram, alongside a striking image of the statue's head perched before them, embodying both satire and protest. This quirky incident is linked to a disturbing trend in Victoria, where various imperial statues have been vandalized amid protests against colonialism.

The head of King George V made a brief appearance earlier this year in a peculiar Instagram video that showed it set ablaze on a grill, adding layers to this peculiar saga of anticolonial vandalism. “Allegedly his head was cut off last year in the city... anyways he was put on stage for a few tunes and then whisked away,” Kneecap humorously noted in their post, encapsulating the spirit of their performance. The group's motto resonates with the ongoing dialogue surrounding colonialism, emphasizing, “Remember every colony can fall.”

Kneecap, consisting of the energetic Mo Chara, Moglai Bap, and DJ Provai, has surged to prominence over the past year with their engaging and politically charged music. The band is known for their spirited shows, often featuring non-traditional performances, where frontman Bap is recognized for his hardcore attitude, taking swigs from Buckfast—a drink synonymous with raucous celebrations in Ireland.

Deeply rooted in anti-colonialist beliefs, Kneecap promotes the relevance of the Indigenous Irish language in their music, often performing bilingually in both Irish and English. This ethos stems from a historical context, as the Irish language faced repression during British occupation, making their cultural revival an act of resistance against colonial legacies. As they continue to redefine the boundaries of rap, Kneecap urges a reexamination of history while advocating for the Irish language and culture.