We are pleased to come together this year with our local live music venue The Booth Hall and Hereford’s community of musicians, poets, DJ’s and artists for what should be quite a memorable fundraiser. It’s very encouraging to see everyone so positive and enthusiastic about performing.
This year is the 2nd anniversary of both our punk festival ‘A Crisis of Conscience’, and the national fundraiser ‘Musicians Against Homelessness’ started by Alan Mc Gee. Alan Mc Gee is the former manager of The Libertines, Primal Scream, Oasis, Jesus and the Marychain and the Happy Mondays.
Sean Ryder is backing the Musicians Against Homelessness campaign this year. In an article in Louder Than War he comments about the increasing homeless problem in the UK, “The sad thing is, it’s not the public’s problem, but they’re the ones most likely to actually help the homeless than anyone in government”.
Sadly, this is something we have to come to terms with, especially after the horrible mishandling of the Grenfell Towers fire that has left so many displaced, and the events leading up to the fire proving how divided the government is from its people, along with the complete lack of trust in our politicians.
Musicians Against Homelessness raised approximately £40,000 last year for the charity Crisis who are celebrating their 50th anniversary this year. We suspect that the number of events happening this year will be double what they were last year.
A REVELATION OF CONSCIENCE
When Rich Lovell and I started this festival last year we were inspired by 70’s punk as it was then. We wanted to express our love of punk, but also our discontent with the class and racial injustices that marginalise British people in the most honest way possible – through music, but we also wanted solutions and ways to help those in need of a hand, so ‘A Crisis of Conscience’ came to be.
Last year we also held an event for the local food bank and ‘We Shall Overcome’, those were David Cameron and George Osbourne days, and we were all feeling the need to do our part – we are talking gripping austerity here.
When you lose everything, where else are you going to end up? Homeless, alone, all hope lost and terrified. It’s a downward spiral. I am not ok with sitting back and letting that happen to people. I am grateful that Rich Lovell is really good at getting us on board with these fundraisers.
At the end of 2015 when we started these discussions, in a general sense, the UK’s youth were not as present as they are now in politics. Jeremy Corbyn is the catalyst, and now the youth are really shouting out against the establishment using music, poetry, fashion, social media and art to express their views. The posts I see on social media platforms are coming from protestors that are younger than ever. It’s exciting.
One thing I love is the connection between punk and reggae, arts, spoken word and of course, politics. We want to celebrate that during the festival. I met Jimmy Lyndsay at one of our recent Underground Revolution gigs when we put on his band Fowokan supported by a local Ska Punk band, and Jimmy told me he used to play gigs in the 70’s alongside bands like The Clash. It was an honour to be in his light and to hear it straight from the source. Funny, but back in the day, Steel Pulse would have punk bands open their shows. Imagine That!
We have DJ BDS Silva spinning reggae and dub during the day whose band Last Tree Squad will headline our day lineup with their mix of original hip hop, reggae and bass songs which you don’t want to miss – they’re a favourite around these parts. It’s our commitment to keeping that union going in the millennium.
Really, all the bands and talent performing will contribute something special to the festival; we think you should come check them out. The award-winning Fusion Polish street food venture, Old Granary Pierogi, will be selling food from 4 pm onward to help soak up the beer. They serve up some pretty hardy and tasty selections that average £4 to £6. Wise choice. Follow our Facebook page to keep on top of festival news and we will see you there. https://www.facebook.com/acrisisofconscience
Many thanks to Skinzophrenic Tattoos and Piercing on Aubrey Street in Hereford for their donation to Musicians Against Homelessness.
Doors open 12-6pm Entry Donations of your choice for day lineup. From 6pm to 1:30 am entry to music is £7
3 East Street, Hereford, Herefordshire Hr1 2lw
Doors open 12-6pm Entry Donations of your choice for day lineup. From 6pm to 1:30 am entry to music is £7
Photography from Nickie Bates and Nick Vidal-Hall for Booth Hall Photograph
Feature Image. Left: Draco Lee Right: Simon Rogers. Talented Hereford Artists dedicating their time to help create art to be auctioned again this year for our fundraiser after last year’s successful creations.
We would love to hear what you think and about how homeless charities have helped you
Hereford City Centric Retail & Culture Blog 