Music Archives - Red Pepper

Chloe Slater and the politics of young Britain

Siobhan McGuirk — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 14:48:07 +0000

Political messaging, generational tensions and deepening class conflict are fuelling Chloe Slater’s popularity, argues John Newsham

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An interview with Pussy Riot’s Maria Alyokhina

Gerry Hart — Fri, 13 Mar 2026 08:00:00 +0000

Maria Alyokhina explains the power of music and political will at a time of war, rising authoritarianism and right-wing radicalisation

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Brian Eno on tenacious solidarity and a lullaby for Gaza

Siobhan McGuirk — Wed, 17 Dec 2025 08:00:00 +0000

Artist and songwriter Brian Eno reports on Together for Palestine and the campaign propelling an Arabic Lullaby into the charts – and raising vital funds for Gaza

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Moving music: an interview with Hamsaz Ensemble

Gerry Hart — Fri, 14 Nov 2025 08:00:00 +0000

A 15-strong group fuses traditional Iranian instruments with contemporary stories of diaspora, community and hope. For member Freesia, folk music can build connection and understanding across difference

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High art, low ceilings: remaking Social Club culture

Siobhan McGuirk — Fri, 12 Sep 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Jerry Iles speaks to Geoff Kirkwood about how a Tyneside Social Club became a cultural beacon – driven by cutting edge DJs, bingo nights, experimental orchestras and ‘open-minded collectivism’. Now, it's reclaiming culture for everyone

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In Defence of Barbarism – review

Gerry Hart — Tue, 10 Jun 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Long used as a pejorative, Louisa Yousfi transforms the term 'barbarian' into a weapon against colonialism, Sophie Marie-Niang writes

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Key words: Hauntology

Gerry Hart — Sun, 18 May 2025 07:00:00 +0000

Mattie Colquhoun unpacks the term hauntology and explains how it can help understand the spectres looming over the present

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Is rave culture political?

Siobhan McGuirk — Tue, 03 Dec 2024 09:42:31 +0000

Despite facing state repression, rave culture continues to be a space for political expression and collective action, writes Alex Carter

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How the crackdown on squatting cramped British creativity

Siobhan McGuirk — Sun, 25 Aug 2024 16:00:03 +0000

Ella Benson Easton explores how housing shapes the arts – and the impact of laws and funding cuts subtly killing alternative cultures

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The ‘progressive’ musicians putting profit over Palestine

Gerry Hart — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 07:00:00 +0000

As artists pressure music festivals to cut ties with Israel, prog-rockers like Radiohead and Nick Cave keep rejecting calls to boycott. Their stance is morally bankrupt, argues Aisling Walsh

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