Maruja, SPRINTS, Pussy Riot headline first Bulletproof Festival

After three packed days of music in some of London’s finest grassroots music venues, the inaugural edition of Bulletproof Festival has concluded.

Jeremy Corbyn’s Peace & Justice Project founded Bulletproof Festival as part of the Music For The Many campaign. It aims to support grassroots music venues, UK live music and new artists.

The inaugural edition of the festival was headlined by Maruja, SPRINTS, and Pussy Riot who performed their new production Riot Days.

There were also performances from CQ Wrestling, SNAYX, The Oozes, Currls, Cody Frost, Dead Air, Hongza, YARD, Jools, and many more. Fast-rising live band Westside Cowboy performed a secret set on the Friday night of the event.

EartH in Hackney was the main stage, with a second stage rotating between The Victoria, Shacklewell Arms and The Jago. Overall, Bulletproof Festival brought together thousands of people in support of independent venues and action to ensure the long-term sustainability of live music.

Founder of the Peace & Justice Project and Your Party leader Jeremy Corbyn addressed the crowd and introduced Maruja on the first night of the event. Corbyn said:

We have built a festival from scratch to raise the plight of Britain’s grassroots music venues. We call on the government to act to fund live music and support the next generation of artists.

We also call on the government to end its censorship of those speaking out against social injustice and the ongoing genocide in Gaza.

Bulletproof Festival’s lead organiser Samuel Sweek said:

Bulletproof was set up to show that independent music venues and community creative spaces have an absolutely invaluable role in the music industry, where the power dynamic between up-and-coming artists and small venues against the huge sponsorship deals of massive arenas, stadiums and festivals couldn’t be more stark.

We’ve shown that things can be different, things can be fairer and that the heart of British live music is still beating.

Featured image via Bekky Calver