Love Music Hate Racism

Friday, 14/03/2024

2024 marks 10 years of GROW. Over the coming months we’ll be meeting, reflecting with, celebrating and sharing stories with our long-term collaborators and new partners. We’ll also be revisiting memories of GROW and looking what what it means to be a grassroots cultural space, now and in the future.

On Fri 15th March 2024, Love Music Hate Racism warm up for the UN Anti-Racism Day on 16th March. They are uniting and celebrating our multicultural and multiracial society through music.

We spoke to Alex LoSardo, Love Music Hate Racism’s Event Organiser to learn more about LMHR and its relationship with GROW.

Love Music, Hate Racism: The Unstoppable Beat of Unity

In a world where division seems all too prevalent, Love Music Hate Racism (LMHR) is a vibrant movement using the universal language of music to bring people together. And at the heart of this inspiring campaign lies a dynamic partnership with East London's beloved GROW Hackney venue – a match made in musical heaven.

As Alex Losardo, a driving force behind LMHR, reminisces, "We can't really speak about the beginning of Love Music Hate Racism without speaking about Rock Against Racism in the late seventies." It was this iconic movement, using gigs to unite youth across racial and cultural divides, that sparked the flame that would become LMHR.

"GROW is the space that we need in East London," Losardo affirms, his passion palpable. This symbiotic relationship between LMHR and GROW Hackney has created a vibrant community hub, where "nurturing relationships" and making music accessible are at the forefront. Losardo elaborates, "The way it's laid out, everyone in the room is listening, and there's no bad sightline. The sound is good, it's small enough that you can really feel what's happening on stage."

GROW Hackney's waterside locale adds to its allure as a "third space" beyond work and home – an intimate sanctuary for connection. "If you want to have a music event where you feel it's an intimate third space for people, it's appropriate," Losardo notes. 

Recounting an unforgettable LMHR event at GROW Hackney, Losardo's eyes light up: "Seeing London fill up, and everybody dancing and singing, no matter what's going on in their lives, really shows the power of music." It was a pre-Notting Hill Carnival party that embodied the campaign's ethos of unity through musical expression.

This collaboration between LMHR and GROW Hackney has been a powerful force for good. As Losardo puts it, "Our events are bringing people together, using music as a force for unity and a force for good."

Aligning with LMHR's values, GROW Hackney's sustainability initiatives strike a chord with Losardo: "I'm all about it. What GROW is doing, for a venue that's open every day, makes a huge difference and impact."

While acknowledging the increased challenges grassroots venues face today, Losardo's determination remains steadfast: "That doesn't stop us, and we still do the thing. It's always been challenging." It's this unwavering spirit that has propelled LMHR's mission forward.

Looking ahead, LMHR hopes to cement GROW Hackney as a home base for its powerful messages. Losardo envisions "establishing a regular LMHR night at GROW Hackney," solidifying the space as a beacon of inclusivity and unity through music.

Losardo's invitation is open and infectious: "Come dance with us on March 15th, and then come march with us on March 16th. Follow us everywhere, and reach out if you want to work with us or if you need help putting on your own LMHR event somewhere else. We want to be back at GROW all the time." Educators, take note – this is a call to spread awareness and foster unity through musical expression.

On March 16th, the annual UN Anti-Racism Day, LMHR will join forces with the Art Three Sound System and Soho Radio for a powerful demonstration. Despite recent legislation aimed at curtailing protests, Losardo's conviction remains resolute: "This bill won't stop us from screaming our message as long as we're alive."

Emphasising the vital role of spaces like GROW Hackney, Losardo argues, "If you take away these spaces, you take away what we know and love about London – people from different backgrounds coming together and living together, building communities and culture together."

Losardo's own journey with LMHR began during the 2020 lockdown, inspired by the powerful Black Lives Matter movement. His advice to aspiring promoters and artists? "Remember why you're doing it to begin with...it's a very human thing to bring people together in unity through live music."

From indie bands to grime acts and beyond, LMHR embraces a wide range of musical genres. "We engage with musicians, which so happens to be what's happening right now," Losardo explains. New talent often finds its way to LMHR through the campaign's grassroots ethos and powerful messaging.

While Losardo may not consider himself a marketing guru, he credits LMHR's successful events to the collective passion of many hands. "It's always been through many people with passion helping each other out," he says. Ultimately, fostering an atmosphere of unity and inclusivity is key to a truly impactful performance.

In navigating his role's challenges, Losardo advocates for collaboration and community support: "You can burn yourself out trying to make a difference you really want to make in your heart. Whereas if you work with other people, you can make a much bigger impact." This ethos extends to LMHR's events, where inclusivity reigns supreme: "Everybody's welcome at our events, no matter their background."

If LMHR were to start in 2024, Losardo believes the core mission would remain unchanged: "Using music and culture as a means to push back against division." However, he acknowledges that the tools and platforms may evolve with the times.

As venues face increasing restrictions across the UK, Losardo speculates that political factors and a lack of government support play a significant role. He underscores the importance of organisations like Music Venue Trust in advocating for and protecting these vital community hubs.

While racism remains LMHR's focal point, Losardo recognises the campaign's potential to unite people across various social justice causes. "Whenever the movement is moved by injustice, music will always play a role," he affirms.

Despite recent legislation aimed at limiting protests, Losardo's defiance is unwavering: "We'll call it out at all of our gigs. This bill, trying to limit protest, won't stop us from throwing gigs because that's what we do." LMHR's resilience and determination to overcome obstacles are truly unstoppable.

Through its partnership with the beloved GROW Hackney venue, Love Music Hate Racism continues to amplify voices, celebrate diversity, and harness the unifying power of music to build a more just and inclusive society. As Losardo so eloquently states, "We seek to unite through music because we know we have more in common than different." So join the beat, dance to the rhythm of unity, and let the music move you towards a better tomorrow