kennyp – it is generally accepted that the ANL had a devastating effect on the NF at a time when it was recruiting massively amongst young people. Rock Against Racism was it's most powerful weapon.
Racism divides people …….. music unites people. Therefore music is a powerful antidote to the poison which is racism. Love Music Hate Racism as RAR before them, has artists of different races preforming at their gigs – it sends a powerful message.
"was it just good music, which is fair enough if it was"
There is little doubt that many people go to these events primarily to hear the bands. The fact that they find themselves in a 'festive' environment of which the main purpose is to fight racism, helps to drive home the message. At the gig which I went to last Saturday, there were girls who were clearly there to see the band 'Bad Sign', for them to hear the lead singer describe the BNP as "scum" between numbers, can only have helped to drive home the message and fight the disease which is racism.
I do accept that the BNP have not made the inroad amongst young people which the NF once did. However I consider the BNP to be today, a greater menace. Racism does exist within our society, and it is an evil which should always be confronted. Uniting people around music is simply one more tactic in the fight against fascism.
Love music hate racism 🙂