Love Music Hate Racism has announced details of a new two-week campaign, Beautiful Resistance.
The campaign, which takes a stand against hatred, bigotry and division, aims to inspire, engage and empower people through a shared love of music. A host of events are planned, including the campaign launch on International Women’s Day (March 8) and UN Anti-Racism Day on March 16.
Artists supporting the campaign include Anne-Marie, Craig David, Dermot Kennedy, Ed Sheeran, Enter Shikari, Frank Turner, Grace Carter, Idles, Jess Gillam, Josh Groban, Kojey Radical, Liam Payne, Lianne La Havas, Mahalia, Nile Rodgers, Nitin Sawhney, Paloma Faith, Ray Blk, Royal Blood, Rudimental, Sean Paul, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, The Specials & Saffiyah Khan and The 1975.
“Since the advent of Rock Against Racism, our challenges have morphed," said organisers Atlantic Records’ Paul Samuels, Step Music Management’s Ellie Giles and long-time campaigner Zak Cochrane. "We now have to contend with not only far right intimidation and propaganda, but also with a growing trend for divisive and hateful language. None of this is OK with most of us, but we have to shout just as loudly with a positive alternative.
"Gathering the strength of music and the music industry, we can help to change the lives – and outlooks – of so many people across the country and beyond. Voices of inspiration are vital to kids growing up and the response to our industry reach out so far has been so incredibly well received.”
The campaign is supported by numerous high-profile artists, major labels Warner, Sony and Universal and leading indies Beggars Group and Domino, as well as a host of other music industry companies and organisations,
Love Music Hate Racism’s last impact day in March 2017 saw artists including Ed Sheeran, Coldplay and Clean Bandit share messages of support for the campaign on social media, ensuring that the #LMHR hashtag trended globally on Twitter.
“Music is fundamentally a fusion of cultures which makes it a fantastic tool to tackle racism and division”, added Cochrane. “Rock Against Racism brought together black and white music fans in the 70s and helped to inspire 2-Tone music. People danced together and it made sense. We are delighted that the next generation of artists are taking up this mantle and bringing people together around a shared passion for music.”
