One of the great things about summer is the range of annual festivals that take place across the country. Festival culture is fantastic, as what better excuse to wear outrageously colourful clothes outside of your comfort zone, without people thinking you escaped from a psychiatric institution.
With this in mind I headed for the 7th annual Rise Festival: London United against Racism. The free, family friendly event held in Finsbury Park on the 15th July 2007, is Europe’s largest anti-racist festival. It aims to raise its objections to racism and celebrate diversity through popular music and various forms of entertainment. This year, it brought a great eclectic mix of big names, as well as some acclaimed new-comers and kept the spirits of its rain drenched audience for a great cause.
Rise is organised by London’s mayor Ken Livingston and is supported by a wide range of trade unions. The festival has an uncanny resemblance to the ideology of Rock Against racism in the 70’s and 80’s, and prides itself in being one of the root causes behind the declining racist attacks within the capital since 2000.
This year’s line-up included Jamelia, Saint Etienne, Beardyman, the Holloways, and The Noisettes; with US RnB star Kelis head-lining along with up and coming hip hop artist K’naan.
An estimated 200,000 festival lovers attended, who braved the unfortunate weather with the promise of some of the biggest names the event ever had. No other performance experienced the freakish torrential rain’s wrath than UK’s Jamelia, whose fans sang along to her chart toppers, while drying themselves with their vest tops.
Kelis was supposedly the star of the event; however after keeping her chanting audience waiting for far too long, she performed a questionable set of songs. Though her performance oozed energy, it was only when she flashed her red underwear did her cheeky persona shine through.
The Noisettes’ fusion of indie rock and jazz, gained some unlikely fans, and their lead singer’s energy and bright neo-coloured leggings brought the sun out. However it was the unique style and voice of K’naan, which was the highlight of the event. It was a surprisingly good performance from this acclaimed new hip-hop artist from Canada, whose appearance also represented the true cultural diversity of London.
Celebrating London’s diversity had a strong thematic presence. Indeed from the selection of foods on offer, music being played and the attendees, it was clear that London is undoubtedly a multicultural community.
While the atmosphere felt festive despite the downpour, the unity against a common enemy was not as apparent as one would think. Besides the occasional objection directed at the British National party, which I must admit stimulated the correct response with the audience, there were moments that even I forgot the cause behind this festival. It was regrettable that the presenters assumed the only racism that this country experiences is in the form of the BNP.
By Sam Ahmed
