Anti Racism Festival Takes Place

Thousands turn out to see Hard Fi, The View, Bashy, The Good The Bad And The Queen and Roll Deep play

The Love Music Hate Racism Carnival took place yesterday with tens of thousands of fans turning out on a very damp day. Hard Fi, The View, Bashy, Roll Deep, Akala, The Thirst and Babyshambles Drew McConnell all played live at the Victoria Park event.

Headliners The Good The Bad And The Queen brought the sunshine out briefly but suffered horrendous sound problems during opening track Kingdom Of Doom. Damon Albarns group recovered and ran through much of their album and a new track with the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble. The groups bassist Paul Simonon played the original Rock Against Racism in 1978 with legends The Clash.

Another highlight was Helsinki- Drew McConnells side project- who replaced Babyshambles when Pete Doherty was jailed. In a set dedicated to Pete he brought out Fionn Regan, Jon from Reverend and The Makers and members of The View to play their track Same Jeans.

Helsinki climaxed with a rather great version of Bruce Springsteens Dancing In The Dark with Fyfe from Guillemots on vocals.

The anti-racist festival finished with The Specials Jerry Dammers conducting a version of Ghost Town which featured Damon Albarn and rappers Tinchy Stryder, Akala and Bashy.

Find out more about the cause here

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