Record Mirror, September 30, 1978: Difference between revisions
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'''Anti Nazi League Carnival | '''Anti Nazi League Carnival | ||
{{Bibliography text}} | {{Bibliography text}} | ||
One | One disenchanted bystander watching the 30,000 anti-fascist marchers leaving Hyde Park was heard to remark cynically: "It's only rock and roll." Since when did rock and roll mobilise a quarter of the whole London police force on a Sunday afternoon? Since when did rock or reggae drag Tony Benn and Arthur Scargill away from their Sunday roast dinners? | ||
Without a shadow of doubt this was a very political rally / march / celebration. | Without a shadow of doubt this was a very political rally / march / celebration. | ||
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In contrast to the crush at Victoria Park things seemed almost unfashionably "spaced out" on Sunday. | In contrast to the crush at Victoria Park things seemed almost unfashionably "spaced out" on Sunday. | ||
The SWP propaganda machine was | The SWP propaganda machine was in full swing providing the cheapest refreshments and best displayed literature stalls. Elsewhere health food merchants did a roaring trade while some "gangsters" sold small cans of lager for 50p a can. Far from the main musical attraction small groups of dancers and singers gave performances in ethnic costume. | ||
Meanwhile it was all happening on the sun-drenched stage as Sham 69 replacements Stiff Little Fingers provided a crowd pleasing warm-up set. Though the foursome from Belfast began severely out of tune they quickly got into stride with the reggae number "Johnny Was." Their new single "Alternative Ulster" was even better in spite of a too trebly sound balance (something which affected every group except Misty). "Barbed Wire Love" could have done with a second hearing to catch the lyrics but this didn't stop SLF from earning a warm reception. Currently touring with the Tom Robinson Band, the group rushed off to play Cardiff the same evening. Now that's what I call a hard working band. | Meanwhile it was all happening on the sun-drenched stage as Sham 69 replacements Stiff Little Fingers provided a crowd pleasing warm-up set. Though the foursome from Belfast began severely out of tune they quickly got into stride with the reggae number "Johnny Was." Their new single "Alternative Ulster" was even better in spite of a too trebly sound balance (something which affected every group except Misty). "Barbed Wire Love" could have done with a second hearing to catch the lyrics but this didn't stop SLF from earning a warm reception. Currently touring with the Tom Robinson Band, the group rushed off to play Cardiff the same evening. Now that's what I call a hard working band. | ||
Misty, the band I followed most of the march at the April carnival, again showed themselves to great advantage. The MC reminded the crowd that Misty had done more ANL/RAR gigs than any other band; a record they can be proud of. Great reggae for a warm autumn day with the odd whiff of weed teasing the nostrils. This was the set I enjoyed the most, but titles... sorry, I can't remember one of them. Justice will be done | Misty, the band I followed most of the march at the April carnival, again showed themselves to great advantage. The MC reminded the crowd that Misty had done more ANL/RAR gigs than any other band; a record they can be proud of. Great reggae for a warm autumn day with the odd whiff of weed teasing the nostrils. This was the set I enjoyed the most, but titles... sorry, I can't remember one of them. Justice will be done in future... Misty is a great band. | ||
Up front by the stage a girl fainted. The skins sent out the alarm. "Thank you skins," said the MC. The Sham army, looking well scrubbed and shorn, were behaving like little angels... well most of them anyway. | Up front by the stage a girl fainted. The skins sent out the alarm. "Thank you skins," said the MC. The Sham army, looking well scrubbed and shorn, were behaving like little angels... well most of them anyway. | ||
In a flash Elvis and the Attractions burst onto the stage to deliver " | In a flash Elvis and the Attractions burst onto the stage to deliver "Night Rally" but something was seriously wrong with the sound. Wot, no lead guitar? Well as good as none. And throughout the set it remained subdued, robbing the act of a vital ingredient. The strong breeze, which proved such a blessing in the fierce sunlight, produced very un-Elvis phasing effect. | ||
But as he rattled through " | But as he rattled through "Red Shoes" and "Lipstick" the crowd settled into the weird sound and warmed to the unlikely star. A couple of new songs "Oliver's Army" and "Radio, Radio" received polite applause but only when the magazine of hits were fired at the end did things approach the ecstatic level. | ||
Whether Elvis approved of the carnival was left in doubt. He referred to the "Nazis against everyone carnival" at one point but made no direct political comment at all, save his presence. | Whether Elvis approved of the carnival was left in doubt. He referred to the "Nazis against everyone carnival" at one point but made no direct political comment at all, save his presence. | ||
Aswad continued the evening's entertainment. At this point I left, not | Aswad continued the evening's entertainment. At this point I left, not in response to a call for 2,000 people to help ensure that the NF would not reach Brick Lane, but in a bid to get home before the crowd tangled up the public transport. | ||
In all, a highly successful day for the anti-fascist movement and great climax for the organisers' summer programme. | In all, a highly successful day for the anti-fascist movement and great climax for the organisers' summer programme. | ||
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{{tags}}[[Rock Against Racism]] {{-}} [[Concert 1978-09-24 London|Brockwell Park]] {{-}} [[London]] {{-}} [[The Attractions]] {{-}} [[Night Rally]] {{-}} [[(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes]] {{-}} [[Lipstick Vogue]] {{-}} [[Oliver's Army]] {{-}} [[Radio, Radio]] {{-}} [[National Front]] {{-}} [[Tom Robinson]] | |||
{{cx}} | {{cx}} | ||
Latest revision as of 21:39, 25 January 2022
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