In 1976, at a concert in Birmingham Guitarist Eric Clapton, made a drunken declaration towards the conservative MP Enoch Powell’s famous anti immigration speech called “rivers of blood”. Clapton remarked that England had become too “over crowded” and asked the crowd to vote for Powell to stop England becoming a “black community”.
Two young teenagers Red Saunders and Rodger Huddle were at that very concert. After hearing Clapton’s drunken speech they wrote into British music magazine NME commenting on their opposition towards the guitarists claims. As part of the comments they asked people to help them form a “Rock Against Racism” organization. Thirty years ago Saunders and Huddle organized an anti-nazi league carnival where 80,000 supporters marched six miles from Trafalgur Square to Victoria Park in the East end of London.
At the Park a concert was played with a lineup of such bands as the Buzzcocks, The Ruts, The Clash, Sham 69 and Generation X. Thirty years on, the problem of racism in the UK has gone underground. But still racist organizations such as the British Nationalist Party, National Front and Combat 18 exsist. In an ever increasing multi-ethnic society it is our responsibility to stamp out racism. As part of it this Sunday, bands such as Hard-FI, The Good the Bad and the Queen, The view and many others are reuniting at Victoria Park to really show the British Nationalist party that Britain won’t stand for racism. As part of this special Trendy Monkey report I will be going behind the scenes to interview the bands and to photograph the event.
Thirty years later in London’s victoria park, a new generation of people fighting against racism parade down from Mile end with drums, banners and loud speakers. This should definitely let the BNP know that Britain’s youth means business. With three stages, over 47 bands are putting their support towards this free carnival by playing a 45 minute set for the 100,000 strong crowd. The carnival was kicked off by a reggae group singing Bob Marley and Ska songs with a potent message to “Love Music Hate Racism”. The Carnival was then kicked into full speed when, the new most celebrated band in the UK, The View kicked off a blinding set with new songs from their new album due out next year, along with songs from the award wining album “Hats off to the buskers”.
Meeting with the group after they played I asked Kyle the lead singer what he thought of being part of the campaign. Kyle: “In Scotland, no one knew about LMHR, until we had done something with it. In the North there are still BNP rallies going on.” Their set included such songs as Superstar Tradesman, Wasted Little DJ’s, Skag Trendy and Street Lights.
Through out the carnival there was a definite feeling that as White, Black, Asian, Gay or Lesbian we could all stand together united. This was true for the music as well. The next act included British Hip-Hop star Jay Sean. Playing a blinding set of remixed indie rock songs such as “Song 2” by the blur, “Brainstorm” by the Arctic Monkeys and Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana. It got the crowd jumping and helped to lift up the spirits of all the reporters and carnival goers watching in the rain. Taking a break from the rain I Interviewed leader singer of British Indie Pop band Reverend and the Makers. The lead singer told me.
“The event is excellent better than I expected mate, The turn out is amazing. When I was heading here myself and Andy Nicholson (Former Bassist of The Arctic Monkeys) were in a cab and the driver was being racist. So we told him to stop and had to walk three miles to get here.” As part of the event speakers from the campaign, as wells as politicians and film directors came to speak. Film director of British award winning film “bend it like Beckham” Gemma Tumultey was one of the speakers at the event. “it was thirty years ago that I was at the back of the crowd shouting 'F** THE BNP' and feeling proud to do it. being British Asian it was a scary time for us. You wouldn’t know when or if one of your friends of relatives was sorted out by the BNP or National Front.” British pop group Hard FI then kicked their set off with songs such as “ Cash Machine” and “Living for the weekend”.
After an hour of so of waiting, Drew McConnell of Babyshambles comes on with his side project group Helsinki. Playing through some of their new songs, they then bring on their special guests to play their forty five minute set. Ex-Arctic Monkey Andy Nicholson and Reverend and the Makers singer John McClure, The noisettes, The guillemots and The View join helsinki.
Thirty years on from playing the first Love Music Hate Racism Jimmy Pursey (pictured above) from Sham 69 gets on the stage again to play a version of The Clash’s “White Riot”. this gets the best reception of all the songs played during the day. along with Poly styrene from X-ray specs playing their song “Bondage Yeah Right”. Bringing back the aspects of the gig in 1978 helped to really set the scene that it was an issue which is being fought but still exists in our society.
Just before the festival closed off at 6:00 pm The Good The Bad and The Queen reform after they secretly broke up. Lead singer Damon Albarn (previous lead singer of Blur and Gorillaz) and Paul Simonon (Bassist of The Clash) play a sunny victoria park with songs from their self titled album. Paul Simonon plays with the same amazing style which made him famous in The Clash. Brining on Jerry Dammers from famous Ska group The Specials, the group play a ten minute verision of “Ghost Town” with morphed rap and Ska in parts. Overall the day really showed people that a lot has been done since 1978 but there is still a lot more to do.
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