The Jesus & Mary Chain (Photo: Alberto Pezzali for Live4ever Media)
Shaun Ryder, The Libertines, Irvine Welsh and The Jesus and Mary Chain are getting behind Alan McGee‘s new campaign Musicians Against Homelessness.
The former Creation label boss is concurrently aiming to raise funds for the homeless charity Crisis and provide gig opportunities for up-and-coming bands on his latest venture, and has Liverpool bands Cast and The Farm ready to kick-start it all with a gig in Leeds this September.
“It’s a massive modern problem and one we can’t just step over and ignore,” McGee says of homelessness. “That is why we’re supporting Crisis, to try and highlight the issue through music and try and raise awareness about the situation.”
“Maybe it’s time for us to think about how this government is dismantling the safety net of the welfare system through cuts, and ask them to address the skyrocketing rents people are being asked to pay.”
“All of us need to question the stereotypical images we have of people on the streets. Falling on hard times or having a particular run of bad luck is something that could happen to anyone.”
“And if you ain’t got any support when it hits you, you too could find yourself one rung of the ladder away from being homeless and living on the streets.”
The gigs are scheduled to take place between September 18th-October 2nd, and McGee adds on live opportunities for new bands:
“Due to the eternal gentrification of big cities we are losing music venues all over the country, especially in London. Without these venues what chance will new bands, especially working class bands, ever have of gaining the oxygen of experience and learning to refine their craft?”
“Inner city redevelopment is killing the next generation of musicians, and very soon the working class artists will be written out of the narrative of rock n roll music.”
