Saturday 29/04/06 Love Music Hate Racism @ Trafalgar Square, London

Musicians and politics - it’s like working with children and animals, a potential media nightmare. And true to form, today’s anti-BNP, Love Music Hate Racism event provides some howling examples of why speeches should be scrupulously checked before their delivery to tens of thousands of people. “We want a united London for black people, Jewish people and for ordinary people” declares a guest speaker. Cue a collective cringe. But public racial faux-pas aside, the BNP are, of course, a bunch of ignorant cocks. Everyone knows it, and the huge support in Trafalgar Square for today’s free concert from the public and musicians alike is testament to the collective backing for this brilliant cause.

Up-and-coming rapper Akala echoes the sentiment of the day in tracks such as ‘Bullshit’, in which he encourages the crowd to join in with chants of “The BNP, now that’s bullshit”. Promising champions of the Muslim community, MeccaIIMedina also promote a strong anti-racist message, as well as looking quite the Hip-Hop part in all white matching Ecko shirts. “If the cap fits, let them where it” bellow the four rappers, throughout a well received politicized old skool Hip-Hop set.

“Babyshambles will not be appearing today, as the London Met. have arrested Pete Doherty” announces the concert organiser – brilliant, so predictable. Less predictable, however, is how well Drew McConnell performs during his solo acoustic rendition of ‘Albion’. It’s almost too good a performance of a song that we have grown used to being slurred into the mic halfheartedly. As fans leave the square disappointedly, one event organizer asks, “and why is it the Met. chose today to arrest Pete? So he can’t perform here?” Hmm, it’s not a huge conspiracy to stop Babyshambles supporting this worthy cause. He committed a crime – thus he was arrested. Simple. 

As the sun beams down on the British Museum, The Heartless Crew take the stage with some heavy dub beats, and some Jungle classics such as ‘The Helicopter Tune’. In an anti-BNP atmosphere that verges on being violently military at points, these bassy, skank-inspiring tunes are a great reminder that it’s too much anger and hatred that caused all this mess in the first place. “They locked up Pete Doherty, but we don’t care” murmur the band. Finally, someone doesn’t care! And why should we, there’s no better way of celebrating this anti-hatred event than kicking back, and having a dance. Boy Kill Boy’s set brings home quite how surreal today’s venue is – danceable meandering synth/rock tunes such as ‘Civil Sin’, and ‘6 Minutes’ sound fantastic echoing their way between the Nelson’s Column and the National Gallery, and give the disappointed indie masses something to smile about. Closer to a short but sweet set, ‘On My Own’ sees Chris Peck throw himself around like a true frontman, as kids start to inevitably jump into the oh-so-tempting fountains (only to be told off by organisers – vive la revolution, eh?).

“Row row row your boat gently down the stream” shout East London grime artists Roll Deep, “and if you don’t want holes in your boat, don’t roll with the Roll Deep team”. With beats and rhymes as edgy and volatile as Mr. Doherty going cold turkey in his prison cell, the lads prompt gun signs in the air, and furious head bopping. As a group, Roll Deep’s vocal delivery remains as tight as ever, bouncing lines from one member to the next, sharing raps like a private joke with perfect timing. Less violent tunes such as chart banger ‘Shake a Leg’ have the now drunken revelers up in the fountain again, and make for a summery vibe and some leg shaking of our own.

Headliners Belle and Sebastian may not be an obvious choice for such a politicized event, but as the group take the stage, Trafalgar square bulges with eager fans. “Come on sun, come back out! It’s warmer in Glasgow than here!” demands Murdoch – and low and behold, out it comes! And you’d expect nothing less from a band that peddle such twee, cheerful indie numbers that warm the heart of the most bitter of activists. Old classic, ‘The Boy with the Arab Strap’ and the sublime, ‘Funny Little Frog’ manage to drown out the barrage of police sirens flying around the square, preparing the inevitable rush out of London. A beautiful end to a well supported, fantastically important day – as revelers leave central London, there are audible chants of “**** the BNP” – we can only hope someone listens.