++GIG REVIEW++
Don Blandford reports on the BNP slaughtering event in East London. He's obviously a bit tempted to take the piss out of Hard Fi, but something tells him that there's a deeper meaning to the day...
Thirty years ago a group of gobby punks stuck two fingers up to the National Front and decided to have a party in the heartland of the hate.
Forget the corporate guff of Live Aid. Rock Against Racism was the first groundbreaking event to really change people’s lives. The rallying cry from punk’s vanguard made music a motivating force; it challenged racist attitudes in the increasingly divided society of late Seventies Britain.
And, thanks to Morrissey’s last minute money, here’s the reprise.
The enemy’s name has changed but the hatred remains the same. So many of the souls entering Victoria Park for the Love Music Hate Racism carnival weren’t even born the first time round - although those sporting the haggard and haunted look may tell a different story.
Swerving through the multicultural masses towards the Unite Stage it’s the edgy Bloc Party meets Arctic Monkeys jaggedness of Brixton four-piece THE THIRST which first demands attention. Mensah Cofie attacks 'My Everything' in whirlwind fashion and their storming set briefly succeeds in banishing the showers away.
Meanwhile over at the main stage a posse of groupies eagerly await Scottish scallywags THE VIEW. The curly locks of Kyle Falconer can’t quite cover the souvenir shiner he seems to have picked up. They deliver a cheeky little set including 'Superstar Salesman' but somehow don’t bother with 'Same Jeans'.
Next up HARD FI offer some Clash-lite. Richard Archer begins acoustically with 'I Should Overcome'. It’s an inauspicious start. The rest of the band join in but Archer still couldn’t ignite a match. Nobody's particuarly bothered that it’s the band’s only festival appearance this year.
Back at the Unite Stage it’s NATTY. Oozing effortless cool he draws perfectly on the original 1978 reggae vibe that weaved through the punk movement like a golden thread. The lovely lethargic mood is only broken when a bunch of chancers from Hull arrive to crank up the adrenaline.
Today is as much about who isn’t here as those who are. The succession of speakers - including Tony Benn and Ken Livingstone – punctuate the music with speeches and remind everyone what LMHR is all about. The absence of Stephen Lawrence and Anthony Walker is a tragedy.
The absence of Pete Docherty is not. Babyshambles bloke DREW McCONNELL is willing, able and most masterful as he coordinates his very own super-group. Fionn Regan does a turn. Reverend & The Makers man Jon McClure joins in for an unexpected cover of The Las ‘Son Of A Gun’ while Kyle Falconer returns to the stage for 'Same Jeans'.
Punk legend POLY STYRENE is still passionate. She returns to Victoria Park announcing, “In 1978, I said ‘little girls should be seen and not heard…oh bondage up yours!’” Like many of the class of ’78, JIMMY PURSEY could keep a dentist in work for a while, but his performance still has plenty of bite. The original Hersham Boy covers 'White Riot' proudly revealing an I Love London t-shirt beneath his leather jacket.
Later, star attractions THE GOOD THE BAD & THE QUEEN join the fray apparently for their last ever gig. Bassist Paul Simonon was last here with The Clash in 1978. He plays the gangster and wields his bass like a gun while Damon stays close to his old joanna.
Finally, some middle-aged geezer in a flat cap comes on the stage. It’s Jerry Dammers! The former Specials bloke brings the celebration of diversity to a spine-tingling close, conducting a stripped down 'Ghost Town' complete with gargled input from the crowd.
There was less spit and more polish to the 2008 performances but just like in 1978, this remains the people’s festival.
ALL PHOTOGRAPHY BY THE BRILLIANT SALLY SAVEALL
++ Don Blandford ++
Artrocker rating: 4
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