September 2002 -- News archive -- Love Music Hate Racism

News archive - September 2002

Carnival attracts 30,000 to rock’n’rave against the Nazis
September 01, 2002, 03:30 PM

Love Music Hate Racism carnival crowd - image © J Hurd, Report Digital
- Manchester Love Music Hate Racism declared a huge success
- Ms Dynamite, Doves and Billy Bragg rock out against the BNP
- Sunny and positive day unites black and white, young and old

The Anti Nazi League’s Love Music Hate Racism carnival on Sunday 1 September was a huge success, attracting some 30,000 people of all races and ages to Platt Fields Park, Manchester. Ms Dynamite, Doves, Billy Bragg, The Shining and Heartless Crew were among the stars that rocked and raved against racism.

Love Music Hate Racism carnival crowd - image © J Hurd, Report Digital
Glorious sunshine and a positive vibe contributed to a day that will be remembered for years to come as a militant celebration of unity and a decisive blow against the race-hatred of the British National Party.

Love Music Hate Racism kicked off with a 3,000-strong march from Manchester Town Hall to the carnival site at Platt Fields Park. Underground garage stars Heartless Crew were at the front of the demonstration, with MCs Bushkin and Mighty Moe leading vibrant chants against the BNP. The march was a sea of red and yellow, as protestors carried ‘lollipop’ placards bearing the Anti Nazi League’s distinctive arrow logo.

Manchester Love Music Hate Racism carnival poster
The carnival started off with a tearing set from upcoming indie stars Miss Black America on the main stage. The second stage featured the cream of the country’s hip-hop and garage talent, including Out Da Ville, Phi-Life Cypher and the indefatigable Heartless Crew. The dance marquee was also buzzing all day, with storming drum’n’bass sessions from Nicky Blackmarket and local heroes Daze & Sappo.

The day ended with a beautiful acoustic set from Doves, followed by an extraordinary performance from the Mercury Prize-winning Ms Dynamite. The 22-year old r&b star performed songs from her new album before plucking seven local youngsters from the audience onto the stage to sing and MC alongside her.

Throughout the carnival, artists spoke, sang and rapped about the need to combat racism and beat back the Nazi BNP. The event was much more than a pop concert – the positive vibe went hand-in-hand with an active and militant political spirit. Love Music Hate Racism was the first major anti-racist event to be held in the North West since last year’s race riots and May’s election of three BNP councillors in Burnley.

Fresh from its Manchester success, Love Music Hate Racism will now go round the country, promoting a series of gigs, raves and club nights against the BNP and other Nazi organisations. Love Music Hate Racism will energise the anti-racist majority across the country and prove that music can be a powerful force in fighting fascism and injustice.

• browse the carnival photo gallery at the Anti Nazi League’s website

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