Love Music Hate Racism

Tim Mattia from nme.tv has really nailed the feeling among the artists performing at Sunday's Carnival in his excellent report.

LMHR Carnival '08 was a massive success - comfortably more than 100,000 came to the event through the day. The crowd was young and old, diverse, and lapping up the Carnival's anti-BNP message, surely giving a huge boost to turnout in this Thursday's GLA and local elections. Musical highlights were too many to mention in a brief review, but all the acts performing were superb - a blow-by-blow account will follow. For now, thanks and congratulations should go to all those of you who came, the acts, the trade unions/Morrissey/all those who donated, Metropolis/AP/Nine Yards and all the excellent production contractors, the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, St Johns Ambulance, the volunteers collecting/selling/grafting all day, and above all the LMHR team who have worked tirelessly and selflessly for months to make this event happen: Alison, Anita, Bunny, Christine, Donna, Drew, Dave, Fay, Jamie, Jon, Josh, Kaleigh, Lee, Martin, Olivia, Princess, Sadia, Tony, Val,Weyman, and Xanthe. Lots more Carnival reviews, photos and footage to come, but a taster for now below... the awesome crowd, and youtube video of the glorious Poly Styrene and all-round top man Drew McConnell's Helsinki doing X-Ray Spex classic 'Oh Bondage, Up Yours!'

Spectacular Alliance Comes Together to Stop the BNP . What brings veteran MP Tony Benn, rebel rocker Paul Simonon and gay and lesbian rights activist Ruth Hunt on stage together in a one-off all ages carnival spectacular alliance? Organisers of this Sunday's Love Music Hate Racism carnival expect that the event will attract over 100,000 people. And the message is clear-- we want to celebrate the diversity of London and urge people to vote against the fascists in next week's London elections. Tony Benn said: "Our world is now a little village packed with weapons of mass destruction. Racism breeds hatred that could destroy the human race. Music speaks to the heart of everyone and helps us to build peace".

London Mayor Ken Livingstone said: "This powerful event comes at a crucial time. Music is an effective way of getting across the anti-racist message. I am looking forward to the concert on Sunday and want to congratulate the organisers on programming a fantastic line up. "

Ruth Hunt of lesbian and gay rights group Stonewall, said: “Stonewall is proud to support Love Music Hate Racism. Every one of modern Britain’s diverse communities must stand together to challenge all forms of discrimination. There is no place for fascism and intolerance in a civilised society.”

LMHR organiser Lee Billingham said, "Without the huge contribution of the trade union movement, this Carnival wouldn't be going ahead. The trade unions and their members - representing 7 million people from every background - have put in over £200,000, an historic level of support for an anti-racist initiative".

Morrissey has personally stepped in with a significant financial contribution to the Love Music Hate Racism campaign in order to allow their 30th Anniversery Rock Against Racism concert to go ahead in Victoria Park, London this weekend without financial loss or burden to the campaign. In addition to his own contribution he has rallied his management, booking agency and promoters to make up the majority of the £75,000 deficit LMHR was faced with after a main sponsor pulled out.

A BNP councillor and Greater London Assembly candidate launched into a foul-mouthed tirade of abuse on a newspaper journalist today, branding Ilford Recorder news editor Sally Lowe "a Nazi". Cllr Robert Bailey, deputy leader of the British National Party (BNP) group on Barking and Dagenham Council, was unhappy over the Recorder's coverage of the London Assembly elections. The Recorder is the regional media sponsor for Sunday’s Love Music Hate Racism Carnival 08 in Victoria Park, Hackney, on Sunday. In a verbal attack peppered with four-letter words, the former Royal Marine accused the Recorder of bias and called Miss Lowe, 29, a "jobsworth". The Barking and Dagenham Alibon ward councillor threatened to urge BNP members to boycott the Recorder. Cllr Bailey said: "When we have control on Barking and Dagenham Council we are going to hit you where it hurts. You won't see a penny from us and we will tell everyone to boycott your paper."

Wednesday's pre-Carnival press conference and photocall gave a taste of what's to come this Sunday as a wide range of artists playing at the weekend spoke to the national media at Victoria Park on why they're playing the event and of their determination to celebrate and defend our multicultural society.

Commemoration of the 1978 Anti Nazi League march against the Nazis Sunday 27th April 2008, Weavers Field, London E2 to Victoria Park, London E3. Assemble at Weavers Field 9.30am onwards, march to leave 11.00am Called by Anti Nazi League Supported by SERTUC, Connect, PCS,NASUWT,UCU,CWU,Unite the union, Musicians Union, NUT,Unison,UAF and LMHR

This Sunday's LMHR Carnival is getting some great national media coverage - Sunday's Observer carried a 3-page article by Sarfraz Manzoor on LMHR and the 30th Anniversary of Rock Against Racism.

The weekend papers also carried much talk of the 40th Anniversary of racist politician Enoch Powell's infamous "Rivers of Blood" speech, much of which was way too uncritical. But on Friday in the city Powell made his speech, Birmingham, members of UB40, Steel Pulse and other local bands and campaigners held a LMHR press conference which sent out a clear message that Powell was wrong and that our multicultural society is a great thing we must defend against the racist backlash. the slogan 'UB40 in stand against Enoch' appeared on newstands across the city on Friday night. See the Birmingham Post's article. Central TV also carried a report on the conference

Members of UB40 and other local bands will hold a Birmingham press conference for Love Music Hate Racism on Friday April 21st to say that Enoch Powell was wrong, there have been no rivers of blood – let's celebrate multi-racial Britain. 40 years ago, on 20 April 1968, Conservative cabinet member, Enoch Powell, called for a halt to immigration, and an end to anti-race discrimination legislation. He predicted "Rivers of Blood" on the streets of Britain if immigration continued, and if the dependents of migrants living in Britain were allowed to join them here. His speech unleashed a massive wave of racism directed at Ugandan Asians fleeing Idi Amin, and at all non-white immigrants then living in Britain.

Specials founder Jerry Dammers is hosting the LMHR Carnival '08 Finale, which will feature a set from Paul Simonon (The Clash), Simon Tong (The Verve), Tony Allen (legendary afrobeat drummer) and Damon Albarn (Blur) - aka The Good, The Bad and The Queen.

Raffle in support of Oxford LMHR. 1st prize: Two tickets to Truck Festival 2008

Babyshambles' bassist Drew McConnell has put together a one-off version of his "other band" HELSINKI to perform at LMHR Carnival '08 on Sunday 27th April 2008. As well as Helsinki regulars Matt Parke and Spencer Brown, the 40-minute set will include appearances by 'Shambles guitarist Mick Whitnall, Reverend & The Makers' John McClure, ex-Arctic Monkeys man Andy Nicholson, Ed Larrikin, and Poly Styrene whose band X-Ray Spex opened the 1978 RAR/ANL Carnival. Other special Helsinki guests are expected to confirm over the next few days. Drew McConnell said: "This has got to be the most important event of the year. Dozens of the best acts around, a huge celebration of multicultural London, and a chance to help stop those BNP racists gaining a foothold in the capital. We'll be there doing our bit, so bring everybody you know and join us! Oh - and the whole thing's free, so put your hand in your pocket and give generously to the anti-racist cause!"

Indie troubadour and ace LMHR supporter Sam Duckworth has been added to the bill for what is shaping up to be a truly momentous LMHR Carnival in London's Victoria Park on Sunday April 27th - flying back specially from a gig in Europe the night before to deliver a late-afternoon set on the "Unite Stage". Other new additions to the bill include UK reggae legend Dennis Bovell - whose band Matumbe played the first ever RAR gig in 1976 - presenting a "London Lovers' Rock Crew" set early on the "LMHR Stage". Another major headliner is expected to be announced at the end of this week. LMHR Carnival '08 is free to enter - but donations either in advance or on the day are encouraged - see www.lmhrcarnival.com for all the latest.