ROTHERHAM’S LMHR INDOOR CARNIVAL A HUGE SUCCESS
Words: Ali Ryland (LMHR volunteer journalist from Huddersfield)
Images: As credited
The biggest LMHR event (out of London) closes triumphantly as the stars, MPs and members of the public come together to undermine the fascist BNP.
“It’s the little things you can do,” Ricky Wilson tells the press, the esteemed members fronting the press conference and many members of the public who came along to hear the politics. “I’m doing a simple thing, playing a gig, we play gigs every night, it’s just a simple thing I can do. Oh, and hate is bad.”
As Jon “The Rev” McClure is stuck on the M1, his car having broken down, apparently due to a crash of some sort, Ricky Wilson is the one to end the conference, his simple dialogue and cheeky looks creating some laughter among the public. It’s 3.30pm, and there have been some passionate speeches, especially from John Healey, Rotherham MP; “I’ve heard people say ’British jobs for British workers’ - there are no British jobs, there are just jobs!” and much talk of the Nazi BNP, and the shock and disgust over the 2 seats they gained in Rotherham. There are many important speakers here today, such as Agnes Grunwald-Speir, holocaust survivor, who tells her tale of escaping being shipped to Auschwitz by a hair’s breadth, as well as her views on the British National Party.
“Although the BNP have shifted their attention from Jewish people to asylum seekers and immigrants, they are still very much a Nazi organisation.”
Raji Khan from the Muslim Initiative mentions the appalling thought that the BNP might be behind the increase on attacks on the Muslim community, and, after Wilson’s put his bit in, Weyman Bennet ends with an inspiring “Let’s send the BNP to the gutter where they belong!”
Meanwhile, the local bands are playing inside the darkest, most ominous room in the Magna, yet that doesn’t put off the mix of rock and indie emitting from the small stage, and the new talent emerging from the depths of the underground of South Yorkshire.
The turn out is impressive, with over 4000 people expected later when the prestigious bands start on the main stage. The sheer size is something the BNP could never compete with, their furtive actions more commonly found in dodgy backstreet areas, nor could they ever hold a major fascist rally due to lack of numbers- and opposition. It shows that they are definitely in the minority, and may one day be stamped out, instead of infesting Britain’s cities like cockroaches.
It’s getting on for 5.30pm, and one of the most promising locals, Alvarez Kings, take to the stage, their alternative indie and pounding guitar riffs fitting the bill, with a touch of Alex Turner’s vocals. Perhaps a rather demoralising point that, upon hearing many northern bands, comparisons are justly made to Arctic Monkeys or Kasabian, which is why originality is becoming so important. Yet, continuing on for two more songs than they thought, the South Yorkshire 4-piece end the set well, as the back doors open and avid fans rush out to queue for the big signed bands, starting at 6pm. The latecomers will have to hope they can squeeze their way to the front, as the queue stretches to the far end of the Magna building.
As Lemon Teargas start the festivities, LMHR grab a few words from upcoming indie stars The Courteeners.
“It’s just something you’ve always known,” says frontman Liam Fray, greatly resembling a fellow Mancunian counterpart, Liam Gallagher. “Racism isn’t something that’s accepted, you have to do something.”
On being asked if events like the LMHR Carnival could change the world, or at least views, he replied: “Definitely. Keep it going.”
Small fillers between bands give the crowd some entertainment, such as Little Lost David’s acoustic set, warming up the crowd for the great arrival of…The Courteeners.
It’s 7.45pm and a warm reception greets the 4-piece, and their alternative scuzzy pop gets the audience dancing, as does crowd-pleaser “Acrylic”. There are nods to Love Music Hate Racism, as Fray tells the excitable throng to “Vent your frustration on us!” before launching into “If It Wasn’t For Me”.
The mix of heart-felt Lancashire straight forwardness and catchy tunes continues when, after announcing the guitarist Daniel “Conan” Moores’ birthday, the bars of depressive, hook-filled “Not Nineteen Forever” haunt the room.
After that impressive set, it’s a bit of a disappointment when we’re told Roll Deep can’t make it, yet replacements have been found at short notice-an amazing feat. At 8.40pm MC Fallacy and “Chunky” appear- they really do make the best of things however, starting chants of “Love Music, Hate Racism!” with ease. Notable mosh pits are opened also, to some people’s amusement.
Before The Reverend takes to the stage, luckily able to reach the event well before his set, the man behind the sizeable carnival has rather a lot to say. Upon talking about racism and the BNP, Jon McClure’s disgust with the subjects is made clear, as is his passion for fighting for what he believes in.
“I got involved with the event to love music and hate racism, basically. I was close companions with a lot of black kids when I was younger, and I had an Iraqi girlfriend, they all influenced me a lot…”
His thoughts upon the music industry, particularly record labels, aren’t much more optimistic, saying “It’s 75% full of white men who went to public school, and if you’re not one of them, they make it harder to get into.”
The frontman intends to quit after his next album, saying on the subject “I just feel tired now, tired of the whole regime. It’s like if you’re bored of being a plumber, you stop being a plumber.”
Yet Reverend And The Makers are certainly alive and kicking today as they burst out, McClure sporting his new Mohican, his shave done 10 minutes before appearing on stage. “Heavyweight Champion Of The World” is an obvious hit, and The Reverend outdoes himself vocally, his innovative voice reverberating without a hitch. His constant “F**k the BNP!” are repeated by the hyped-up crowd, and the pits are once again re-opened, mainly for the hormonal young men. “Open Your Window” is particularly spectacular, but the ending of “He Said He Loved Me” rounds it off perfectly.
Of course, after the important speeches, there’s only one thing the full, sweaty room is awaiting: Kaiser Chiefs.
Fashionably late (15 minutes to be exact, as it’s 11.15pm and the hordes are restless), the Leeds Lads are welcomed by thunderous applause and fit-inducing lighting. “Everything Is Average Nowadays” starts the show, not letting you doubt that, if Ricky Wilson’s one thing, he’s a good frontman. His favourite past time is moving around the venue, standing up high to one side of the cavernous arena, while belting out indie rock classics like “I Predict A Riot” and their only number 1, “Ruby”.
Over the shouts of “Peanut” (the band’s keyboardist) and the patriotic shouts of “Yorkshire, Yorkshire, Yorkshire!”, Kaiser Chiefs finish their encore at just after midnight, with “Oh My God”, a perfect end to a sweltering performance. Containing the lyrics that may ring true for a few “Oh my God I can’t believe it/I’ve never been this far away from home”, for the majority it’s the opposite, as people all over Yorkshire came together to protest against the BNP in Rotherham, as well as racism everywhere. Job done.
