Melbourne police investigate Kneecap gig's King George V statue head

Melbourne detectives are investigating whether a severed head displayed at a concert by the Irish hip-hop group Kneecap is linked to the ongoing inquiry into the vandalism of a statue of King George V. The statue, located in Kings Domain, was decapitated on June 10, 2024, during a public holiday marking the monarch's birthday. Kneecap posted images on social media showing the head on stage, claiming it was brought there to 'hear a few tunes' and referencing anti-colonial sentiments. The police have confirmed they are aware of the incident and will explore any connections between the two events, although no arrests have been made yet. The head has previously made appearances in various provocative contexts on social media, further fueling the debate around colonial monuments in Australia. The ongoing investigation highlights the intersection of art, protest, and public sentiment regarding Australia’s colonial history.