Crisis music : The Cultural Politics of Rock Against Racism

Marching to the beat of punk rock and reggae, Rock Against Racism fought alongside the Anti-Nazi League against a resurgence of racist and fascist politics in 1970s Britain. This book analyses one of the biggest and most effective political mobilisations of the post-war period, demonstrating that popular music and mass protest can go hand in hand. -- .

Rock Against Racism was a mass movement built in opposition to racism and fascism in 1970s Britain. At a time of severe economic and social crises, RAR, alongside the Anti-Nazi League, organised one of the biggest and most effective political and cultural mobilisations of the post-war period. Drawing on interviews with activists, supporters and critics, and based on the latest research, Crisis music explores the nature of RAR''s ground-breaking politico-cultural phenomenon. The author explains why RAR seized upon the power and passion of punk and reggae, and how this has helped to shape the boundaries of modern popular music. The book also offera a clear picture ture of the relationship between RAR and its main political sponsor, the Socialist Workers Party. Crisis music discusses RAR''s place within the left''s often-troubled encounters with popular culture, and draws comparisons with other music-based movements and campaigns, such as the post-war folk revival and Live 8.