Fontaines D.C., Kneecap and Sam Fender Belfast gigs unsure over security fears
Upcoming performances from Fontaines D.C., Kneecap and Sam Fender in Belfast have been thrown into query on account of security considerations.
The gigs are set to happen this 12 months, and can all be held on the similar website on the council-owned Boucher Highway Enjoying Fields. Nonetheless, there’s now a dispute over whether or not the exhibits can proceed on account of a disagreement over “well being and security preparations”.
Beforehand, the Boucher Highway venue has used a neighbouring website as an emergency exit level for concertgoers. This area is held by the Northern Eire Fireplace and Rescue Service (NIFRS) – however this 12 months the hearth providers haven’t given permission to Belfast Metropolis Council for its utilization.
The principle space the place the performances are held holds roughly 40,000 folks, and with out a clear emergency exit route laid out, the way forward for the scheduled exhibits has been thrown into doubt.
As highlighted by BBC, the problems prolong additional, as it’s “additionally understood the hearth service has questioned whether or not utilizing the positioning would impression on a charges low cost for unoccupied properties.” It’s not clear to what extent property attraction prevents communal use of the area.
In a brand new assertion, a spokesperson for the NIFRS stated that it has “vacated the positioning and can be supportive of an settlement that may see the lease revert to Belfast Metropolis Council management, enabling the mandatory well being and security preparations to be put in place for the summer time exhibits” (through Far Out). Additionally they stated that the NIFRS and its board are those chargeable for offering an answer.
Belfast you SOLD OUT 40,000 in 35 minutes…..this one will likely be epic ❤️ https://t.co/4Zn6pSwO6P pic.twitter.com/CqaSFujoUO
— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) April 25, 2025
One of many exhibits in Belfast, which can see Fontaines D.C. headline and Kneecap play as assist, has additionally come below menace from the DUP. Just lately, the social gathering’s chief Sarah Bunting steered that the council evaluation the licence of the occasion following Kneecap’s Coachella performances and controversial feedback round politicians and Hezbollah in 2024.
The exhibits in Belfast aren’t the one ones to have come below menace on account of logistics just lately. Earlier this month it was reported that reside music occasions in London’s Brockwell Park could also be in jeopardy after a campaigner gained a Excessive Court docket problem over its use.
It hosts occasions reminiscent of Mighty Hoopla, Vast Awake, Discipline Day and extra, that are licensed by Lambeth Council, nevertheless an area resident took authorized motion towards the council and argued that they didn’t have appropriate planning permission. The decide dominated in her favour, and the ruling triggered concern for the plight of the various festivals that have been on account of be held on the positioning this summer time. The Evening Time Industries Affiliation (NTIA) warned of the potential of a “devastating blow” to London tradition consequently.
Since then, organisers gave an official replace on the festivals’ standing and stated that “all occasions within the sequence will go forward as deliberate,” regardless of the decide’s ruling.
It stays unclear whether or not exhibits from Fontaines D.C., Kneecap and Sam Fender will likely be affected by the well being and security disagreement, and not one of the artists have but commented on the state of affairs.