Anti-Hate Group Calls for Cancellation of Far-Right Music Festival

A major anti-hate organization is urging the Home Office to intervene and cancel the visas of international bands scheduled to perform at what is being dubbed the "UK's biggest white power gig in a decade." The event, set to take place this weekend in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, is feared by activists to be a significant step in the revival of the neo-Nazi skinhead movement.

HOPE not Hate, a national advocacy group, has raised the alarm about a planned far-right music festival, which they believe could become the largest of its kind in the UK in a decade. The group states that over 500 tickets have been sold for the concert, which is being organized by members of Blood and Honour, a neo-Nazi music promotion and extremist political network. The undisclosed venue in Great Yarmouth has been booked for the two-day festival, titled "Resurrection 4," which is billed as "England's largest two-day Oi fest."

The festival's line-up includes 12 bands, both from the UK and internationally. Among the foreign acts are Germany's Combat BC and the American group Birthrite, both of which have been publicly criticized for using Nazi imagery and symbolism in their performances. Combat BC previously sparked controversy when a venue in Leeds faced backlash for hosting them in 2022. Other British bands scheduled to perform include Crucified, Pressure 28, Last Orders, and Bulldog Breed, with American band Wellington Arms also on the bill.

HOPE not Hate's CEO, Nick Lowles, has expressed grave concerns. "If this festival proceeds, it will be the biggest Nazi gig in a decade and could signal a revival for the Nazi skinhead movement, which has been struggling in recent years," he said. The organization is actively campaigning for the cancellation of the event and has specifically called on the Home Office to deny entry to the international performers. "These groups should not be permitted to travel to the UK," Lowles added.

Norfolk Police have confirmed they are aware of the planned festival and are conducting inquiries. Great Yarmouth Borough Council has also stated they are liaising with police and other partners to monitor the situation and ensure the event, if it goes ahead, remains "lawful and peaceful."

The concern over the festival is heightened by the recent conviction of a leader of the Blood and Honour group, Robert Talland. In June, Talland, 56, was found guilty of multiple charges of stirring up racial hatred and two counts of disseminating terrorist material after a nine-week trial at Woolwich Crown Court. His son Stephen, 36, and daughter Rosie, 34, were also found guilty of stirring up racial hatred. All three were arrested in October 2020 following an investigation by Counter Terrorism Policing North East. They are scheduled to be sentenced on September 11.

While rumors circulated on social media that the concert would be held at Richardson’s Hemsby Beach Holiday Park, the resort has officially denied any involvement in or support for the event.