Kneecap and Miss Kaninna: A Raw, Unstoppable Force at The Triffid

Kneecap playing live at the Triffid in Brisbane

KNEECAP, MISS KANINNA

THE TRIFFID, BRISBANE

WEDNESDAY, 12 MARCH 2025

PHOTOS BY ALEC SMART

WORDS BY BEN PREECE

A Riotous Night of Chaos and Craic with Kneecap and MIss Kaninna

If you walked into The Triffid last night without knowing what you were in for, you would’ve thought you’d been teleported to a backstreet Belfast pub at 1 AM. The crowd was overwhelmingly Irish, the air thick with sweat, giant flags slung over shoulders, spilled Guinness, and pure, unfiltered chaos.

Miss Kaninna: A Fierce, Political, and Unapologetic Force Of Nature

Miss Kaninna playing live at the Triffid in Brisbane

Melbourne-via-Tasmania's own Miss Kaninna opens the night with a blistering set that leaves no room for hesitation. At this point in her career, new adjectives are needed—this is no ordinary performer, and this is no ordinary set. From the first beat, it’s clear her presence is more than just music—it’s a statement. Fierce, political, and dripping with attitude, she delivers a raw declaration of anger and resistance.

The crowd quickly locks in as she unleashes a relentless barrage of politically charged lyrics, punctuated by fiery chants of “Free Palestine” and “Fuck Peter Dutton.” Every word carries weight, delivered with an intensity that feels like a call to action, sparking cheers and raised fists. Yet just as effortlessly as she ignites the room with fury, she pivots to moments of vulnerability—her voice cracking with emotion, revealing the depth behind her defiance.

Miss Kaninna isn’t here to play it safe; she’s here to speak truth to power—at her own risk—and does so with unflinching honesty. Her energy is unapologetic as she tears through each track, leaving a lasting imprint on the room. This is a world class, no-holds-barred performance and it sets the bar for what’s to come and defines the night’s tone. No one else aside from Miss Kaninna would've been memorable following Kneecap.

Electrifying Energy from the Get-Go

Make no mistake—Kneecap have the hottest ticket in town tonight, arguably this year. Their rapidly rising star has turned Irish expats and locals alike into rabid dogs for these three "low life scum" Belfast rappers. From the second Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap, and DJ Próvaí pounce onto stage, the energy is electric. Their bilingual, politically charged, and darkly hilarious brand of hip-hop sends the crowd into a frenzy unlike anything this room has ever seen.

An Anthemic Set

Early highlight 'Amach Anocht' is met with a roar that could actually be heard in Dublin, while ‘Fine Art’ turns the place into a mosh pit of flailing limbs and joyous aggression. The trio bounces between rapid-fire Irish and English with the same effortless swagger they bring to their beats. They’re anarchic but precise, irreverent but deeply intelligent, and absolutely own every inch of the stage.

The Triffid Transformed

The walls of The Triffid feel like they’re closing in as the crowd surges forward, pints raised, voices already going hoarse from belting out every lyric. The venue pulses with energy, transformed into a sweaty, buzzing cauldron of passion, hearts on chests for the trio. With the group's encouragement, a circle pit forms in the middle, its chaos adding to the frenzy. Having attended hundreds of shows here, tonight it’s not The Triffid—it’s something entirely different, starting with the vibe of an '80s hip hop club gig and ending like a sweat-drenched warehouse rave party.

A Finale to Remember

As the set begins to wind down, the crowd is a sweaty mess. They revisit chanting Miss Kaninna’s war cries and incorporate a playful political tirade that includes brief, impromptu moment of ‘Maggie’s In A Box’ (set to the melody of ‘Give It Up’). By the time they close with 'Get Your Brits Out' and ‘H.O.O.D,’ the venue is in shambles—in the best possible way. Strangers embrace, chants echo long after the last beat drops, and the crowd stumbles out into the Brisbane night, their faces lit up with that wild, wide-eyed grin that only comes after witnessing something truly special.

More Than Just a Band

Kneecap aren’t just a band. They’re a movement, a middle finger to the establishment, and one of the most electrifying live acts you’ll ever see. Brisbane won’t forget this one in a hurry.

Kneecap doesn’t just play a show—they detonate an otherwise sleepy Wednesday night in Brisbane.