Review: Hope Not Hate

Tour ended at Brixton

01 May 2008 - The Hope Not Hate tour ended on Wednesday 30 April with a gig at Brixton Academy - marking the 30th anniversary of the original Rock Against Racism concert.

This was the second London event in one week to commemorate the activism of 1978.

Brixton was also the location for the second big RAR carnival in 1978, and has been on the forefront of racial tension in the capital over the last few decades.

Host Tom Robinson

Like the recent Carnival at Victoria Park, the gig on 30 April (hosted by 6Music’s Tom Robinson) saw a show of political speakers campaigning against racially based politics and the far right.

Local four-piece The Thirst opened the gig – they are building a reputation through their live performances and with their complex rhythms and dance-able guitar sound, it’s easy to see why.

They may be influenced by The Libertines and Bloc Party, but the soaring potential on songs like Sail Away and My Everything and socially conscious lyrics see them carving their own way.

The Levellers

The Levellers followed with their folk punk. Well known for their politics, they seemed a safe choice for the bill - although Stephen Boakes’ gyrating with a didgeridoo during A Life Less Ordinary and One Way looked dangerously close to taking out a couple of band members.

Misty in Roots were next. As RAR stalwarts, they have political credential that newer songs like Cover Up carry to the present day, but it’s their music that reaffirms their place as reggae luminaries. Put simply - they still have it, 30 years on.

Alabama 3

But the night really belonged to Alabama 3 - with their tripped-out blues gospel.

They were Introduced by two tiny girls in fluffy pink outfits and they captivated the crowd with a fire and brimstone performance.

They are the kind of band that make sense live more than when on record – the evangelical posturing and holly roller references on songs like Too Sick to Pray fall into place.

It’s a finely honed act -one that elevated the night beyond just campaigning and gives music the final word.

Victoria Hannaford