How We Started
Love Music Hate Racism was launched in the summer of 2002 in response to rising levels of racism and British National Party electoral success, particularly in the north west in former mill towns like Burnley.
The first LMHR gig was a small one in Burnley, followed soon after with a 30,000-strong free carnival in nearby Manchester featuring Ms Dynamite and Doves which brought together thousands from across the region to celebrate our multicultural society and show our unity against the fascists. That event encouraged us to launch LMHR as a national campaign which could inspire people to stand together against the BNP.
There have now been over 200 LMHR events, from large outdoor festivals to local gigs and club nights. In May 2005, we held our largest event yet - a concert in London’s Trafalgar Square organised jointly with Unite Against Fascism UAF and the South East Region of the TUC. It attracted 40,000 people to hear the likes of Pete Doherty and Estelle, just four days before the general election. In October 2005 Ms Dynamite, The Stands and Roll Deep topped the bill in Liverpool at a LMHR tribute to black teenager Anthony Walker - who was murdered by racists.
Other top artists who’ve performed at LMHR events include Basement Jaxx, Daniel Bedingfield, Doves, Kasabian, The Buzzcocks and the Libertines.
Many more events are also in the pipeline around the country, from large events in priority areas like West Yorkshire to – just as important – all the up-and-coming bands, DJs, MCs and their fans performing at or organising their own local LMHR nights.
At our events artists champion the need to combat racism and beat back the BNP, with speeches from anti-racist activists and trade unionists hammering home the message. Our events are not just pop concerts – they inspire people to get actively involved in their workplace, community or college.
