Sex, Drugs, and Alternative Music: The Sound of Belfast’s’ Rebels
By Katie McShane
Named UNESCO’s City of Music in 2021, Belfast has a rich and vibrant music history often overshadowed by the Troubles. But these two go hand in hand. The political landscape of the 1970s provided inspiration for Belfast punk bands to come together. Even today, music and controversy are intertwined in our media. For example, rap trio Kneecap’s film of the same name won 14 awards — despite backlash concerning its political messaging.
What I’m interested in are the rebels in a traditional sense: the teenagers and young people who forge their own identities. It’s a tradition in itself — the conservative old and the liberal youth — and Belfast is no different.
The image of a punk may be jarring to some: alternative fashion and anti-establishment ideas. What made so many people wary of the punk movement globally was their belief in self-expression, personal freedom, and fighting against the ‘system’. They were often anti-authoritarian, finding issues with capitalist governments. Belfast punks were no different — except the ‘system’ they fought against was the religious and identity barriers they grew up around, and the world of violence they lived in.
In an interview with Fearghus Roulston, The Outcasts bandmate Petesey Burns spoke about his experience growing up: “There were none near me, didn’t go to my school… you never met a real one.” But through the punk scene — going to concerts and playing in bands — he finally began to mix with Protestants: “I was meeting guys from the Newtownards Road, meeting guys from other parts of Belfast.” [1]
These Belfast punks saw their fair share of riots, albeit different from what people may have been used to. Terri Hooley named the ‘Battle of Bedford Street’ as “the only riot of the Troubles where Catholics and Protestants were fighting on the same side”. [2] On 20 October 1977, The Clash were due to perform at the Ulster Hall, drawing masses of young people to wait outside the venue. However, the band was unable to perform — their insurance company had withdrawn cover, most likely due to the high risk of violence. The reaction was immediate: the crowd took to the streets to hold a ‘riot of their own’.
Reported to be civil by Belfast’s standards, three windows were smashed, fans lay down in the road, and police made five arrests. This protest stands as a testament to the punks’ dedication to anti-sectarianism and anti-violence. It was not only a statement against the cancelled concert, but also against the prevailing circumstances they had to endure.
Whilst it’s easy to believe that explicit rap and offensive music are products of ‘the kids of today’, controversial lyrics are not a new phenomenon. Belfast punk band Rudi, formed in 1975, had a popular song titled “Cops”, which featured chants of “We hate the cops” and “SS RUC” — hitting back at the oppressive nature of the then Royal Ulster Constabulary. Stiff Little Fingers, in their second single “Alternative Ulster”, sang about looking at the army in Belfast and the “RUC dog of oppression”, asking, “Is this where you want to live?” — or is there, in fact, an alternative?
These bands, despite controversy, often had good causes at heart — whether intentional or not. Belfast’s punk scene brought together Catholics and Protestants, many of whom were meeting people from the other religion for the first time. They played together in bands and hung out in Terri Hooley’s record shop, Good Vibrations.
Terri Hooley himself was responsible for helping to produce much of the punk music created at this time. He first signed The Undertones after hearing “Teenage Kicks” — now a cult classic in Northern Ireland. Even today, Kneecap, upon winning their discrimination case against the British Government, split their winnings between two youth organisations: one from a Catholic community and one from a Protestant community. [3]
In a time defined by tragedy, the Belfast punk movement was a bright spot for many of its youth. Gathering in the Harp together to mix and listen to music gave them an escape — and a chance to experience the ‘alternative’. This is just one example that speaks to the power of music and art in the face of adversity. It can uplift people and provide encouragement — but music can also offer a new way to experience and discuss politics. I think this is something worth considering in our conflict-filled world today.
1 – Fox, Matt. 2022. “Northern Ireland Troubles: How Punk Music Created Its Own Riot.” BBC News, July 17, 2022, sec. Northern Ireland. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-62149191
2 – Fox, Matt. 2022. “Northern Ireland Troubles: How Punk Music Created Its Own Riot.” BBC News, July 17, 2022, sec. Northern Ireland. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-621491913
3 – “Irish Band Kneecap Win Discrimination Case against UK Government.” 2024. Sky News. Sky. November 29, 2024. https://news.sky.com/story/irish-band-kneecap-win-discrimination-case-against-uk-government-13262934.
