It’s truly something special to have the opportunity to see a rising artist when they’re on the precipice of mainstream success, but to see two in one night is a gift that not many people are afforded. That is, unless you were at Soft Play and Kneecap’s show in Denver this week.
Now, it goes without saying that both acts have already found massive success in their home countries (punk duo Soft Play are from the UK while hip-hop trio, Kneecap are already massive in Ireland) but to replicate the same level of fame in the US can be challenging, historically finding rising artists from overseas playing much smaller venues in North America than they do at home. For roughly 1,200 fans in Denver on Monday night, it meant they were treated to an exciting and intimate sold-out show in between Coachella performances from both artists—a unique experience that they will probably never be able to see at the same capacity again.
Opening the night was Soft Play, who are currently taking a victory lap following the success of their debut album, Heavy Jelly, last year. Comprised of just vocalist/drummer, Isaac Holman and guitarist/bassist/vocalist Laurie Vincent, Soft Play might not physically take up music space on stage, but what they lack in size, they make up for in energy, grit, and attitude. While it was clear that most fans in attendance were there to see both acts, anyone who wasn’t already a fan of Soft Play at the start of their set certainly was by the end, as the duo found themselves bantering with the crowd and encouraging concert-goers to “kiss your mates on the fuckin’ lips”. By the end of their high-energy, chaotic set, the crowd was absolutely buzzing, and the only act that could possibly take things up a notch was Kneecap.
Clearly still riding the high from the first weekend of Coachella, Kneecap practically oozed swagger and confidence from the moment the trio stepped on stage, the die-hard fans in the front row singing along with every word. Like Soft Play’s set, Kneecap were also keen to chat with the crowd between songs, encouraging circle pits and crowd surfers and at one point (much to the dismay of security) for fans to get up on each other’s shoulders for a song. And not once did the crowd participation waver—between songs, fans (many of whom were draped in Irish flags or ski-masks) were chanting, singing, and keeping the energy high. And the best part? The trio not only spent the night celebrating successful and exciting year following the release of their sophomore album, Fine Art, but also used their platform to advocate for political and humanitarian causes that are important to them, by the end of the night urging the crowd to “be on the right side of history”, earning an ovation from their fans.
With a second performance at Coachella coming up this weekend for both artists, this promises to be just the start of an insane 2025 for both Soft Play and Kneecap. If you aren’t already paying attention to either of them, you should be.
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