IT’S been happening since back in 1978 when bands like The Clash, Buzzcocks, X-Ray Spex and Sham 69 descended on Victoria Park to stand up to the onset of racist attacks and the resurgence of fascism, but few things remain as powerful as when musicians come together to shed light on a worthy cause.
That’s precisely what occurred last at Glasgow’s Clyde Auditorium with Belle And Sebastian, members of Simple Minds, Franz Ferdinand, Mogwai, Young Fathers and more all making their voices heard at a show designed to support Save The Children’s work with the ongoing refugee crisis.
A star-studded bill which features some of the most innovative, culturally significant and groundbreaking Scottish artists of the past 30 years, the fact that such a diverse range of artists can be assembled to lend a hand with a much needed campaign is nothing short of inspiring.
Spurred on by his wife after images of three year old Aylan Kurdi washed up on the shore following a fatal boating accident began to do the rounds on the internet, Belle And Sebastian’s Stuart Murdoch felt compelled to act and subsequently began putting the bill together after contacting Save The Children; the only charity which he deemed to be ‘taking a stand’ in the wake of this terrible humanitarian crisis.
One of the few nations in the world which appears to be making its way back towards the left and away from the scornful approach of The Conservative Government that currently holds court in Westminster, it’s no surprise that Murdoch wasn’t the only Scottish musician who wished to remain silent no longer.
Young Fathers have also been incredibly vocal on the issue, acting as a staunch voice of derision against the notion of preventing the refugee’s safe passage into Britain and dubbing their recent European jaunt the “We Are All Migrants Tour”. The fact that they were swiftly included on the bill amidst so many legendary acts says a lot about not only their position going forward but how much this issue transcends barriers of age, music genres or any other facile notions.
Murdoch has stated in various interviews that the response that he’s received from the acts which he has contacted to perform has been positive every single time and this is a genuinely heartening thing to hear. This proves that not only is Scotland’s music scene a fertile ground for creativity and amazing material, the fact that so many of the country’s biggest acts have aligned themselves with Murdoch’s efforts shows that it can be a force for activism as well.
While notions of competitiveness will always be prevalent among Scottish artists as they jostle for position among a crowded landscape, this show of solidarity by those taking part in tonight’s event will hopefully set a precedent by which more collaborations of this ilk can take place when horrible crisis’s such as the plight of the refugees come to light.
We’ve seen various Scottish acts facilitate foodbank donations and even donate proceeds of their shows to those who’ve felt the brunt of the UK government’s overzealous austerity measures, but with senior figures such as Belle and Sebastian, Jim and Charlie of Simple Minds and the ever influential Mogwai setting such a stellar example, there’s no telling what Scotland and its music scene can accomplish when they make their collective voice heard in the face of injustice.
