Thousands of music lovers were undeterred by bad weather and flocked to a free anti-racism festival.
Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR) took place in Victoria Park, East London, with music acts including The Good The Bad and The Queen, Hard-Fi and The View. Organisers estimate 90,000 to 100,000 people attended the event, which singer Morrissey helped to make possible by donating £28,000 when one of the festival's sponsors pulled out at the last minute.
It was preceded by an anti-racism procession from Weavers Fields in Bethnal Green where campaigners and trade unionist marched with banners and a brass band.
The events replicated the first Rock Against Racism carnival, organised by the Anti-Nazi League 30 years ago, which saw 80,000 people march from Trafalgar Square to Victoria Park and watch The Clash perform. The Clash's ex-bassist Paul Simonon now plays with The Good, The Bad and The Queen, fronted by Blur's Damon Albarn, who headlined this year's celebrations.
There were also appearances from other stars of the 1978 event including The Specials' Jerry Dammers, Jimmy Pursey of Sham 69, Poly Styrene of X-Ray Spex and Clash collaborator Don Letts. The eclectic line up also included contemporary acts Roll Deep, R&B singer Jay Sean, rockers Hard-Fi, acoustic indie act Get Cape.Wear Cape.Fly, and rock and roll band The Paddingtons who played across two stages and a DJ marquee.
Speakers included Tony Benn, Derek Simpson of the Unite trade union and Weyman Bennett of LMHR. Organisers said they hope this year's event inspired people to vote against the BNP in the Greater London Assembly and local council elections which will take place on Thursday.
Chester Evening Leader
Showing posts with label Victoria Park. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Victoria Park. Show all posts
April 28, 2008
April 24, 2008
Dig Deep for the Carnival
Some of London's leading urban stars are performing at the Love Music Hate Racism Carnival at Victoria Park, Hackney on Sunday.
The Recorder-backed event marks the 30th anniversary of the first Rock Against Racism event there. With the carnival taking place four days before the London Mayor and Greater London Assembly elections - and a massive 70,000 people expected to attend - organisers say they hope the day "can mobilise the extra votes needed to stop the BNP winning in London".
Stratford grime stars Roll Deep Crew and their former frontman, turned solo star, Wiley appear, along with Asian R&B crossover star Jay Sean and Radio One DJ/presenter Nihal. Other dance acts to look out for include dub reggae star Don Letters, drum and bass jocks DJ Hype and Daddy Earl, plus cool up-and-coming vocalist Natty.
Roll Deep issued the following statement to Club Mix: "First of all, we would like to welcome everyone to Victoria Park for this huge festival, and big up to everyone who has come out to support the fight against racism. Coming from east London, it's extra special for us to have the event on our doorstep. For those of you who don't already know, we've been doing our thing for around six years as Roll Deep and are about to release our second main album in the summer.!
"Our crew is made up of 15 nationalities, so we've always backed LMHR and will continue to do so until racism and fascism is completely wiped out in our society. You can look forward to a big performance from us on the day, and we'll also bring a few special guests with us so find yourself a space and enjoy the day. Let's stamp out racism."
Natty added: "Considering there aren't any black MPs in the cabinet and hardly any black faces in the media spotlight talking sense, I feel like it's my duty to support LMHR, to not only talk to black youth about our identity but to reach white youths who might just see the stereotypes on the TV and show, through the music, that skin colour doesn't mean sh*t. Come down and support the LMHR Carnival."
The carnival is a free event, running from noon - 6pm, but is costing more than £400,000 to stage. A LMHR spokesman pointed out: "The trade union movement, in particular, has been brilliant in helping to raise much of the costs. However, we still urgently need support from anyone who can afford to contribute - no matter how small the amount."
Donations can be made at at www.lovemusichateracism.com/donate or by cheques posted to Love Music Hate Racism, 231 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London, SW1V. For more information on the event go to www.lmhrcarnival.com.
Ilford Recorder
The Recorder-backed event marks the 30th anniversary of the first Rock Against Racism event there. With the carnival taking place four days before the London Mayor and Greater London Assembly elections - and a massive 70,000 people expected to attend - organisers say they hope the day "can mobilise the extra votes needed to stop the BNP winning in London".
Stratford grime stars Roll Deep Crew and their former frontman, turned solo star, Wiley appear, along with Asian R&B crossover star Jay Sean and Radio One DJ/presenter Nihal. Other dance acts to look out for include dub reggae star Don Letters, drum and bass jocks DJ Hype and Daddy Earl, plus cool up-and-coming vocalist Natty.
Roll Deep issued the following statement to Club Mix: "First of all, we would like to welcome everyone to Victoria Park for this huge festival, and big up to everyone who has come out to support the fight against racism. Coming from east London, it's extra special for us to have the event on our doorstep. For those of you who don't already know, we've been doing our thing for around six years as Roll Deep and are about to release our second main album in the summer.!
"Our crew is made up of 15 nationalities, so we've always backed LMHR and will continue to do so until racism and fascism is completely wiped out in our society. You can look forward to a big performance from us on the day, and we'll also bring a few special guests with us so find yourself a space and enjoy the day. Let's stamp out racism."
Natty added: "Considering there aren't any black MPs in the cabinet and hardly any black faces in the media spotlight talking sense, I feel like it's my duty to support LMHR, to not only talk to black youth about our identity but to reach white youths who might just see the stereotypes on the TV and show, through the music, that skin colour doesn't mean sh*t. Come down and support the LMHR Carnival."
The carnival is a free event, running from noon - 6pm, but is costing more than £400,000 to stage. A LMHR spokesman pointed out: "The trade union movement, in particular, has been brilliant in helping to raise much of the costs. However, we still urgently need support from anyone who can afford to contribute - no matter how small the amount."
Donations can be made at at www.lovemusichateracism.com/donate or by cheques posted to Love Music Hate Racism, 231 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London, SW1V. For more information on the event go to www.lmhrcarnival.com.
Ilford Recorder
Labels:
LMHR,
Rock Against Racism,
Victoria Park
March 02, 2008
Play it again, Rock Against Racism
Thirty years on, a new generation is being recruited to counter growing threat from the far right
Thirty years after it politicised a generation of activists, Rock Against Racism is being restaged at its original venue of Victoria Park, in east London, in what will be the biggest anti-racism concert ever held in Britain.
When the Clash took the stage in 1978, joining forces with the Tom Robinson Band and Steel Pulse, they ignited a movement that was to propel protest gigs into the mainstream and lead to campaigns such as Live Aid.
But now a new generation of fans is being targeted by campaigners, who expect thousands to march from London's East End to the all-day concert next month, where original headliner Tom Robinson will lead Jerry Dammers from the Specials, Clash collaborator Don Letts, Babyshambles, Kate Nash and others in front of an expected 70,000 people.
Dammers, who is putting together a band featuring former Sham 69 frontman Jimmy Pursey, said: "We can't be complacent and relax the struggle against [the far-right British National Party]."
Babyshambles' Pete Doherty added: "We need to encourage people to fight racism whether with words or actions."
The 30th-anniversary event – the Love Music Hate Racism carnival, on Sunday 27 April – is a response to fears that the BNP could secure its first seats on the Greater London Assembly in elections on 1 May.
Two stars who will not be playing are David Bowie and Eric Clapton. Comments made by the pair in the 1970s were credited with prompting the original Rock Against Racism concert. Bowie was quoted in 1976 saying, "Britain could benefit from a fascist leader"; the same year Clapton told an audience in Birmingham that the politician Enoch Powell – infamous for his "rivers of blood" speech opposing mass immigration – was right and Britain was "overcrowded".
Lee Billingham, national organiser for Love Music Hate Racism, said: "Bowie actually gave £1,000 to the Anti Nazi League in the early 1990s. He's been forgiven, but not Clapton – he's never retracted what he said."
The BNP's vote soared from 3,000 in 2000 to 300,000 in 2007, say anti-racism campaigners, who claim the party missed getting elected to the London Assembly by just 0.1 per cent in 2004.
Independent
Thirty years after it politicised a generation of activists, Rock Against Racism is being restaged at its original venue of Victoria Park, in east London, in what will be the biggest anti-racism concert ever held in Britain.When the Clash took the stage in 1978, joining forces with the Tom Robinson Band and Steel Pulse, they ignited a movement that was to propel protest gigs into the mainstream and lead to campaigns such as Live Aid.
But now a new generation of fans is being targeted by campaigners, who expect thousands to march from London's East End to the all-day concert next month, where original headliner Tom Robinson will lead Jerry Dammers from the Specials, Clash collaborator Don Letts, Babyshambles, Kate Nash and others in front of an expected 70,000 people.
Dammers, who is putting together a band featuring former Sham 69 frontman Jimmy Pursey, said: "We can't be complacent and relax the struggle against [the far-right British National Party]."
Babyshambles' Pete Doherty added: "We need to encourage people to fight racism whether with words or actions."
The 30th-anniversary event – the Love Music Hate Racism carnival, on Sunday 27 April – is a response to fears that the BNP could secure its first seats on the Greater London Assembly in elections on 1 May.
Two stars who will not be playing are David Bowie and Eric Clapton. Comments made by the pair in the 1970s were credited with prompting the original Rock Against Racism concert. Bowie was quoted in 1976 saying, "Britain could benefit from a fascist leader"; the same year Clapton told an audience in Birmingham that the politician Enoch Powell – infamous for his "rivers of blood" speech opposing mass immigration – was right and Britain was "overcrowded".
Lee Billingham, national organiser for Love Music Hate Racism, said: "Bowie actually gave £1,000 to the Anti Nazi League in the early 1990s. He's been forgiven, but not Clapton – he's never retracted what he said."
The BNP's vote soared from 3,000 in 2000 to 300,000 in 2007, say anti-racism campaigners, who claim the party missed getting elected to the London Assembly by just 0.1 per cent in 2004.
Independent
January 17, 2008
Major Love Music Hate Racism event in London's Victoria Park
To mark Rock Against Racism's 30th birthday
London, Sunday 27th April 2008
Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR), the descendants of RAR, will be marking the 30th Anniversary of the RAR/ANL carnival and procession with a similar event in Victoria Park on 27th April 2008, featuring an exciting and eclectic bill of major contemporary acts plus appearances from some of the musical heroes of the RAR era. The bill will feature artists who will attract an audience from all age ranges and all ethnic backgrounds and will play across three stages.
Just as important as commemorating such an historic event & movement, the 2008 Carnival will also aim to inspire thousands today to vote against racism in the Greater London Assembly and local council elections taking place a few days after the Carnival, to get actively involved in opposing fascist parties like the BNP.
On 30th April 1978, the famous Anti Nazi League/Rock Against Racism (RAR) march and carnival took place, with a march from Trafalgar Square to an 80,000-strong carnival in east London's Victoria Park. The Clash, famously, performed (with Sham 69's Jimmy Pursey guesting), as did Tom Robinson Band, Steel Pulse and X-Ray Spex. The event was an iconic moment, both for the anti-fascist movement of the time, and in UK music lore. It politicised many for a lifetime to come.
Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR) was set up in 2002 in response to rising levels of racism and electoral successes for the Nazi British National Party (BNP). We use the energy of our music scene to celebrate diversity and involve people in anti-racist and anti-fascist activity – as well as to urge people to vote against fascist candidates in elections. LMHR has helped to mobilise against further BNP election victories, in the tradition of the Rock Against Racism (RAR) movement of the late 1970s.
There have been now been over 400 LMHR events, from large outdoor festivals to local gigs and club nights. Top artists who've performed at LMHR events include Ms Dynamite, Hard -Fi, Babyshambles, Akala, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, Estelle, The View, Lethal Bizzle, Roll Deep and Basement Jaxx. Just as important are the up-and-coming bands, DJs, MCs and their fans who have performed at or organised their own local LMHR nights.
We want local LMHR and trade union groups to organise transport to the carnival from all over the country but we also need your support to help us finance this massive event . For details of how to donate or for more information on the Carnival and all our other activities and news keep checking our website www.lovemusichateracism.com or contact us at info@lovemusichateracism.com.
UAF
London, Sunday 27th April 2008
Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR), the descendants of RAR, will be marking the 30th Anniversary of the RAR/ANL carnival and procession with a similar event in Victoria Park on 27th April 2008, featuring an exciting and eclectic bill of major contemporary acts plus appearances from some of the musical heroes of the RAR era. The bill will feature artists who will attract an audience from all age ranges and all ethnic backgrounds and will play across three stages.
Just as important as commemorating such an historic event & movement, the 2008 Carnival will also aim to inspire thousands today to vote against racism in the Greater London Assembly and local council elections taking place a few days after the Carnival, to get actively involved in opposing fascist parties like the BNP.
On 30th April 1978, the famous Anti Nazi League/Rock Against Racism (RAR) march and carnival took place, with a march from Trafalgar Square to an 80,000-strong carnival in east London's Victoria Park. The Clash, famously, performed (with Sham 69's Jimmy Pursey guesting), as did Tom Robinson Band, Steel Pulse and X-Ray Spex. The event was an iconic moment, both for the anti-fascist movement of the time, and in UK music lore. It politicised many for a lifetime to come.
Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR) was set up in 2002 in response to rising levels of racism and electoral successes for the Nazi British National Party (BNP). We use the energy of our music scene to celebrate diversity and involve people in anti-racist and anti-fascist activity – as well as to urge people to vote against fascist candidates in elections. LMHR has helped to mobilise against further BNP election victories, in the tradition of the Rock Against Racism (RAR) movement of the late 1970s.
There have been now been over 400 LMHR events, from large outdoor festivals to local gigs and club nights. Top artists who've performed at LMHR events include Ms Dynamite, Hard -Fi, Babyshambles, Akala, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, Estelle, The View, Lethal Bizzle, Roll Deep and Basement Jaxx. Just as important are the up-and-coming bands, DJs, MCs and their fans who have performed at or organised their own local LMHR nights.
We want local LMHR and trade union groups to organise transport to the carnival from all over the country but we also need your support to help us finance this massive event . For details of how to donate or for more information on the Carnival and all our other activities and news keep checking our website www.lovemusichateracism.com or contact us at info@lovemusichateracism.com.
UAF
Labels:
birthday,
BNP,
LMHR,
RAR,
Victoria Park
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