– Press Release

Babyshambles’ Drew McConnell has teamed up with LMHR to curate a fantastic line-up of indie/rock, grime, hip-hop and drum’n’bass for the charity’s major fundraising event for the year. Supported by acclaimed artists including TERRY HALL (THE SPECIALS), ANDY C, AKALA, THE VIEW, MYSTERY JETS, JERRY DAMMERS (THE SPECIALS), JAMMER, METRO RIOTS, N.A.S.T.Y., FIONN REGAN, HEARTLESS CREW, NU-MCs and of course BABYSHAMBLES themselves, the event moves to unite musicians and audience members regardless of genre, to further establish a national movement against racism and fascism through music.

Set up in 2002 in response to rising levels of racism and electoral successes for the fascist British National Party (BNP), Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR) believe that music is living testimony to the fact that cultures can and do mix. LMHR 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.

“Every day press and politicians are telling us that the country’s biggest problems are Muslims and asylum seekers and this is fuelling a big resurgence in racism and support for the Nazi BNP. All of us who like living in a multicultural society must stand together to oppose what’s going on” Lee Billingham says.

“Love Music Hate Racism is creating a UK-wide movement against racism and fascists like the BNP, using the music which brings us all together to do this. British music is far better for the mixing up of cultures and styles that’s happened because of immigration to this country. We’ve teamed up with Drew McConnell and Fabric to put together a fabulous line up representing the best of multiracial Britain, for our big fundraiser for this year. Come and have a wicked night, then please GET INVOLVED in fighting racism and fascism wherever you live, work or rave!”

For more information, check out http://www.lovemusichateracism.com/