Anti-racism movement LoveMusicHateRacism are launching a new two-week campaign, Beautiful Resistance, which aims to tackle hatred, bigotry and division in the music industry.
LoveMusicHateRacism are to launch a new two-week campaign, Beautiful Resistance, on March 8th. Taking a stand against hatred, bigotry and division, the campaign aims to inspire, engage and empower people through a shared love of music. A host of special events are planned, including the campaign launch on International Women’s Day (March 8) and the UN Anti-Racism Day March on March 16th.
The brain child of Atlantic Records’ Paul Samuels, Step Music Management’s Ellie Giles and long-time campaigner Zak Cochrane, new campaign Beautiful Resistance has also united all corners of the music industry, with support from numerous high-profile artists, major labels Warner, Sony and Universal and leading indies Beggars Group and Domino, as well as a host of other influential companies and organisations from across the business. LoveMusicHateRacism’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.
This year, the Beautiful Resistance campaign will be supported by an incredible spread of world-leading artists and musicians, including (in alphabetical order); Anne-Marie, Blessed, Bill Ryder-Jones, Craig David, Dermot Kennedy, Ed Sheeran, Enter Shikari, Frank Turner, Grace Carter, Idles, Jess Gillam, Josh Groban, House Gospel Choir, Kaiser Chiefs, Kojey Radical, Labrinth, Liam Payne, Lianne La Havas, Lionheart, Mahalia, Nile Rodgers, Nitin Sawhney, Paloma Faith, Paul Canoville, Ray BLK, Royal Blood, Rudimental, Sean Paul, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, The Specials & Saffiyah Khan and The 1975, with more to be confirmed in the coming weeks. There’ll also be a series of artist in-conversation pieces to look out for, too.
“Since the advent of Rock Against Racism, our challenges have morphed. 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”, explain Paul Samuels, Ellie Giles and Zak Cochrane.
“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. We’re very excited at the potential for true, transformative change through our Beautiful Resistance campaign and we welcome anyone who shares our vision of a world free of prejudice to join us and get in touch via our website.”
“Music is fundamentally a fusion of cultures which makes it a fantastic tool to tackle racism and division”, adds Zak 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.”
Find out more about the campaign here.