LIVE REVIEWS
After nine years, Red Bull Culture Clash has returned to London, reigniting the art of “warring” that is foundational to UK music. Soundsystem culture was born in the vibrant streets of 1950s Jamaica, becoming its heartbeat before travelling to the UK via the Windrush generation. This laid the foundation for genres like ska, reggae, and later grime – the latter inspired by this legacy of crafted dubplates (well-known hits personalised to either diss others or back their affiliates) to fuel infamous clashes (rap battles) that echoed the competitive spirit of their predecessors. Between Nigeria’s dynamic scene in recent years and Drake and Kendrick Lamar’s infamous beef in 2024, this cultural phenomenon feels more relevant than ever.
So, Red Bull’s clash at Tottenham’s Drumsheds on March 8 serves as a testament to this voyage. Four crews – Homegrown, Spice Army, Native Soundsystem and Voice of the Streets – take to the stages with their unique sonic assassins. Spice Army – led by Spice, the reigning Queen of Dancehall – come out ready for war in gladiator costumes, signalling an uphill battle for the other crews from the very beginning.
There are rules to this – each group must survive four rounds, the first called Temperature’s Rising, where they must establish themselves and set the tone for the night. Spice kicks it off, playing 12 dubplates in a row, showcasing her enduring experience from toasting (rapping or MCing) on huge stages like the infamous Sting Festival. The other crews do try to send back: Kenny Allstar, the self-proclaimed Voice Of The Streets, tries adding humour with a Munya Chawawa skit but ultimately kills the mood. Jyoty’s Homegrown group is MCed by Flowdan and… is OK. Using Stush to do live dubs on the spot is unique, but the UKG or funky house refixes don’t move the crowd like the one Sting did for Spice rounds later.
Native Soundsystem, who are headed up by NSG and TeeZee, stick out like a sore thumb the majority of the clash because, despite the odd light jabs back at other leaders, they play it too safe, refusing to “shell down” the place with lethal dubs and heavy disses. Their only big moment is replying to Voice of the Streets, who play London’s unofficial anthem, Giggs’ ‘Talking Da Hardest’, with their own dub from Hollaman himself – a deliciously tasty bit of tea.
After Spice wins the first round, the other three rounds (The Selector, Sleeping with the Enemy and The Decider) become a dissing free-for-all. Native try to hit back with surprise guests in Unknown T and Not3s; whereas Voice Of The Streets get Ed Sheeran to flip his Number One stonker ‘Shape Of You’, and the hottest UK rapper right now Central Cee to do not one but two dubs, remixing ‘BAND4BAND’ and ‘Doja’. Homegrown – in the second-biggest tea-worthy moment of the night – bring out Mavado: a clashing legend who was one-half of the most infamous clash in history. Spice promptly chastises him for “sell[ing] out Jamaica” and aligning himself with the UK side.
Sound-wise, technical issues affect the overall experience: The echo from the viewing platform NME is stood on makes major moments on the mic sound muddy and takes away from the intensity. With soundsystem culture so deeply embedded in the night’s identity, crews care more about content rather than audio quality, so the art of it all wasn’t showcased to full effect.
But Spice is the clear victor from the start (winning on International Women’s Day, too, is a nice touch). She has over 25 dubs ready, gets Vybz Kartel to make a video appearance and brings out Sister Nancy, Shaggy, UK rap legends Skrapz, D Double E and Chip as well as dancehall’s next-in-charge Skillibeng and Skeng (the latter making his London debut). This clash isn’t just a battle: it’s a reminder that the small but resilient island of Jamaica boasts cultural power that echoes far beyond its shores. As Spice Army remind us, it’s always “Jamaica to di world” – never backwards.
LIVE REVIEWS
The closing hours of Reading 2026 have finally arrived. Florence + The Machine brought the rain during ‘Dog Days Are Over’ at The Grid, opening the heavens and leaving the festival site completely soaked. The weary fans who have stayed behind are wet, exhausted and clearly feeling the effects of the weekend. What they need now is one final enormous celebration to make the wait worthwhile.
The Gallery tent comes alive as the speakers blast ‘Favourite’ by Friday’s headliners and fellow countrymen Fontaines D.C., receiving the kind of reaction usually reserved for ‘Mr Brightside’ at a drunken wedding reception. Moments later, Kneecap display their familiar statement accusing Israel of carrying out genocide against the people of Palestine and Lebanon, with support from the UK government. It captures the Belfast rap trio perfectly, combining serious political messages with an unapologetic party atmosphere.
“We use our platform to talk about what we believe is right,” Mo Chara explains during the performance, before recognising those who “aren’t so fucking lucky” and whose voices have been suppressed. He soon encourages the audience to roar “fuck Netanyahu” and “free free Palestine”. Later, he starts a powerful chant of “Aaaaaa-ndy Buuurn-ham’s a waaaaaaan-ker” to the melody of ‘Seven Nation Army’, targeting our new Prime Minister over his claim that “a united Ireland is off the table”. Laughing, he asks: “The BBC won’t broadcast that, or will they?” As it turned out, they did not.
Away from the headlines and the controversy, there is no denying the connection Kneecap have built with their audience. Politics may shape the conversation, but the crowd also came to enjoy themselves, ready for a rave after the rally. The performance begins carefully with the heavy rumble of ‘Smugglers & Scholars’, before exploding during the Grian Chatten collaboration ‘Better Way To Live’ and the threatening energy of ‘Sick In The Head’. “Are ya ready for a mad one?” Mo Chara shouts. The response is already obvious.
The atmosphere becomes increasingly chaotic as the hip hop rhythm of ‘Cold At The Top’ and the hypnotic trance sounds of ‘An Ra’ send the entire tent into motion. The trio jokingly thank the UK for everything it has given Ireland, listing UKIP, fish and chips, a mental health crisis, Jimmy Saville, HP Sauce and Bloody Sunday. However, the show reaches another level once the second half begins. The explosive ‘Sayonara’ brings the ‘beef’ to ‘IBEEFA’, while ‘Get Your Brits Out’ and ‘Guilty Conscience’ give the crowd every reason to obey Móglaí Bap’s demand to “oooopen up the piiiiiit”.
Anyone watching closely may have questioned why the cameras continued to focus on Móglaí Bap and Mo Chara. The pair eventually reveal that they have spent recent weeks performing alongside a “provisional” DJ Próvai. Wearing the familiar tricolour balaclava, the temporary replacement handles his role as the crowd agitator with confidence while their bandmate enjoys some paternity leave. “Some things are more important than music, and that’s family,” they explain. How sweet. Móglaí Bap quickly destroys the tender moment by adding: “As you might know, the Brits took all our potatoes from Ireland; they took all our cocaine,” before declaring, “but we still have all our caaandy.” The group then charge directly into one of the biggest tracks ever written about extremely powerful ketamine.
‘Liar’s Tale’ sparks another huge reaction with its response to Keir Starmer, “genocide armer”, while the group warn that “you’re not getting away with doing nothing”. It is a politically charged message hidden inside an irresistible anthem from musicians who have experienced the “belly of the beast” through the legal system. Their latest album, ‘Fenian’, has helped Kneecap fully embrace the celebration that has always been part of their identity. Their live production now feels capable of filling arenas, blending the intimacy of a late night lock in with the rhythmic force and visual scale of The Chemical Brothers, the reckless electronic punk spirit of The Prodigy, and the fearless political honesty of Public Enemy. The spectacular visuals complete the experience.
Kneecap fans at Reading 2026. Credit: Andy Ford for NME
Kneecap fans at Reading 2026. Credit: Andy Ford for NME
Closing with the powerful combination of ‘Fenian’, ‘H.O.O.D.’ and the enormous ‘The Recap’, Kneecap bring our final celebration at Reading to a thrilling conclusion while also finishing their last festival appearance of the summer. “It’s been a pleasure to spend it with you mad c**ts,” Mo Chara says before leaving the stage. The feeling is mutual.
Return to NME here for the newest reports, reviews, photographs, conversations and further coverage from Reading & Leeds 2026.
