Angela Lewis on Pop

Angela Lewis
Monday 03 October 1994 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

For once, the music industry is united: the forthcoming Criminal Justice Bill is A Very Bad Thing Indeed. Its aim is quite simple: to obliterate with one savage swipe, counter-culture lifestyles, epitomised by huge bands like The Levellers, which directly oppose the ongoing Conservative remould of Britain. The Tories espouse home ownership; young people priced out of the mortgage system squat instead. The Tories support landowners; rave organisers attract tens of thousands of 24-hour revellers in private fields. Virtually all hunting associations are Conservative-dominated; most hunt saboteurs are under 30, and vegetarian and committed activists.

So, as Michael Howard announced to the ecstastic blue-rinse and grey-suit brigades at last year's party conference, squatting will be criminalised, police will be able to throw a five-mile cordon around any potential rave site, and it will be illegal to challenge anyone going about the legitimate sport of ripping apart a few foxes on a Saturday morning. Cue standing ovation.

As the Bill limps its way back into the Commons, weighed down by clauses instigated by the Lords, the anti-CJB lobby is gathering in strength. There's a central London march on 9 Oct and bands are doing Freedom Network benefit concerts. The next one is headlined by the hippy/crusty dance types, Children of the Bong, with noise surrealists, 70 Gwen Party and Flying Saucer Attack (above) also on the bill. DJs from the hard-synth dance club, Eurobeat 2000, spin the discs afterwards, music of the ilk that could warrant a huge police crackdown if played at an unauthorised venue soon, should Michael Howard get his way. Time to dance, before the police come. . .

The CJB benefit for the Freedom Network is tomorrow (5 Oct) at the Powerhaus, 1 Liverpool Rd, N1 (071-837 3218), pounds 4adv

(Photograph omitted)

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in