Rock Against Racism

Rock Against Racism

Rock Against Racism is a political and cultural movement that emerged in response to racism
  • What radicalism activities archive
  • When 09 Sep, 1978 (Europe/London / UTC100)
  • Add event to calendar iCal

In response to an increase in racial assaults on British streets and rising public support for the far-right National Front, the political and cultural organisation Rock Against Racism (RAR) was established in 1976. RAR activists planned carnivals, tours, regional gigs and events around the nation between 1976 and 1982.

Featured is a page from popular D-I-Y Fan Zine called Temp Hoarding which was described by Stuart Hall as a ‘Brilliant Cultural Intervention’. Within this page t,hey discuss Bristol’s heightened activity and involvement during the Rock Against Racism tour across the UK in 1978.

1978 Bristol in Temp Hoarding Eamonn Kelly RESIZED.jpg

This is an interview with Peter Webb, co-founder of Statik Soundsystem formed in 1994, on radicalism within Bristol and the link between politics and the music Industry in Bristol and his work with Rock Against Racism. 

Image credits:

Poster of The Glaxo Babies who played at Trinity on Thursday 23rd November 1978 as part of RAR. Poster of RAR gig at Bristol Student Union featuring The X-Certs, Pyromania, Glaxo Babies and Social Security on Saturday 9th 1978

Images above part of John Keon Poster Collection X-Certs Free Festival - Saturday 26th August 1978 RAR Right To Work Campaign - Saturday 9th September 1978 RAR Scum Gig at Trinity Centre Thursday 10th December 1979