Community Relations Council

Love Music, Hate Racism, in conjunction with SEEDS anti-racism network, have organised a two day music  festival at the One World Centre in Derry to promote opposition to racism, following the attacks on Roma families in Belfast.

Speaking on behalf of SEEDS Director Eddie Kerr says ' it is important that everyone comes out and supports this concert mainly to show the bigots and racists in our communities that there is no place for hate on our streets, playgrounds, workplaces or homes and let us show the world who are the real minorities in our midst. We must show solidarity and support for anyone who feels threatened and isolated and sends a positive statement clearly showing our communal repulsion at racism and sectarianism. We are proud to support the right of all people to come and live here and in this support we offer our commitment to defeat hate and the hate mongers who propagate fear and suspicion. This festival sends out the right message at the right time. Please show your support by being there and celebrating that wonderful diverse society we are fast becoming'.

The line-up for the festival includes many stars of the local music scene, including Future Chaser and Our Krypton Son (who will headline the Saturday electric sessions) and Andrew Ferris (from Jetplane Landing) and Jonny Black (from LaFaro) who are playing the Sunday afternoon acoustic sessions.

David McAuley, from LMHR, said “We wanted to get this festival together at short notice to send a message that people are opposed to the sort of racist attacks we saw against the Roma people in Belfast in recent weeks. There is an undercurrent of racism in this town as well, and attacks on people and their homes are on the increase, as they are across Northern Ireland.

“Love Music, Hate Racism is about defying the people who would try to divide us. They skulk around in the middle of the night. We are open and strong that we are against racism, in all its forms, and we want the racists to know they are cowards who should be ashamed. We want our city to be proud that we welcome migrants, and celebrate everyone who lives here, regardless of where they are from.

“Now is the time to step up a gear and promote this message. The election of the BNP in Britain, and of similar fascist parties in Europe is a warning to us all that the racists can feed off despair at times like this. We have to promote hope that can resist the rise of racism.”

“We have been taken aback at the enthusiasm of all the musicians we contacted who agreed to play at short notice and there is a fantastic line-up for both the electric sessions on Saturday and the acoustic sessions on Sunday.”  

Admission to the festival is free, and it is an alcohol free event. The Love Music Hate Racism Festival is also supported by Derry City Council, Equality Commission, Community Relations Council and Homely Planet.

Festival running order:

Our Krypton Son
Future Chaser
Chipzel
Inexistence
Connor Kelly
The Free Radicals
Under Stars and Gutters
Sullem Voe
DJ Stephen McCauley & Dee Dee McAuley
DJ Singh Bangla and DJ Elly

Sunday 5^th July 1-5pm
Andrew Ferris
Jonny Black (LaFaro)
Skruff
Junior Johnson
Tim Pot Operation
Jonny Nixon
Paddy Nash
Christopher Norby
plus poets and spoken word

DJs Kwame and Danny McGeady