KNEECAP to headline Auckland and Wellington in February 2027, partnering with local charities

Irish rap trio KNEECAP has announced a two‑city tour of New Zealand for February 2027. The group will perform at Spark Arena in Auckland on 9 February and at TSB Arena in Wellington on 10 February. Both shows will feature Afro‑Pasifika DJ Lady Shaka as a special guest.

The announcement follows a press release issued on 1 September 2026 that confirms ticket presales will begin at 10 a.m. on Monday 7 September through MG Live’s online platform, with general sales opening at 10 a.m. on Wednesday 9 September via Ticketmaster.nz. All tickets are for all‑ages audiences.

KNEECAP, composed of Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí, is known for rapping in a mix of English and Irish. The trio formed in Belfast in 2017 and has built a reputation for politically charged performances that address Irish republicanism, language rights and international solidarity. Their 2024 film, directed by Rich Peppiatt, chronicled their rise in post‑Troubles Ireland and helped broaden their international profile.

The February tour is part of a worldwide schedule that includes dates in Australia and the United Kingdom. In 2025 the group headlined Glastonbury, sparking controversy after they shouted anti‑Israel statements during their set. The performance led to political criticism and a court case that ended with the dismissal of a terror charge against Mo Chara.

In addition to the headline shows, KNEECAP has partnered with MG Live and the New Zealand‑based collective I OH YOU to donate one New Zealand dollar from every ticket sold to Manaaki Rangatahi, a national youth homelessness collective. According to a statement from Manaaki Rangatahi, the partnership will support the collective’s evidence‑based, kaupapa Māori approach to ending youth homelessness.

"Kneecap alongside MG Live and I OH YOU will be making a $1 donation from every ticket sold to the Manaaki Rangatahi Youth Homelessness Collective," the statement reads. "The partnership with Kneecap is very exciting, an Irish group dedicated to revitalizing their reo through their music is what we are all about. Returning to your indigenous cultures’ language and practices is very healing, especially for our youth. We are inspired by their unrelenting decolonisation stance," added Bianca Johanson, spokesperson for Manaaki Rangatahi.

KNEECAP’s new album FENIAN, released in May 2026, entered the New Zealand Official Top 40 Albums chart. The album, produced by Dan Carey, features singles such as “Liars Tale” and “Smugglers & Scholars.” Critics have described FENIAN as darker and more confrontational than the group’s debut album Fine Art, while noting a maturation in the trio’s sound.

The group’s return to New Zealand comes after a successful 2025 tour that included performances at the Auckland and Wellington arenas. Those shows were described by reviewers as “riotous” and “provocative,” with audiences reacting strongly to the trio’s political messaging.

The February dates are scheduled to coincide with the release of a new single from FENIAN that the group has promoted on streaming platforms. While the tour is not advertised as a festival appearance, the inclusion of Lady Shaka is expected to attract fans of Pasifika club music.

Tickets for the Auckland and Wellington shows are available through MG Live and Ticketmaster, with presales and general sales dates already announced. The partnership with Manaaki Rangatahi means that a portion of each ticket will support a national youth homelessness initiative.

KNEECAP’s return to New Zealand is confirmed by the press release and the official ticketing schedules. The tour is set to begin on 9 February 2027 in Auckland and conclude on 10 February 2027 in Wellington, with all‑ages admission and a charitable component tied to Manaaki Rangatahi.