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Musicians React to London Riots

David Goddard, Getty

Over the past four days, riots in London have rocked the British capitol with vandalism, fires and violence. Since the start of the troubles, artists have taken to Twitter and Facebook to express their dismay.

"Where the f--- are the Bullingdon boys? What's wrong you c---s? Would you only end your holidays if it were Fortnum & Mason being looted?" Franz Ferdinand frontman Alex Kapranos asked of his country's leaders, (via NME) while M.I.A. brewed contention with a riot-sympathizing tweet "I'm going down to the riots to hand out tea and mars bars."

As Spinner previously reported, a Sony warehouse where thousands of records were stored for many indie labels was burned to the ground, undoubtedly affecting independent music throughout Europe. To see a full list of labels affected click here.

"What music fans can do to show their support for the indie label community, and help them survive this disaster is to buy a digital download of an album from any one of the digital retailers in the UK, as well as going to their local record store while stocks last," the AIM (Association of Independent Music) has stated in a press release (via NME).

Matt Jarrett of Diverse Vinyl told the BBC, "I'm just a bit numb. I have friends at labels that won't have jobs and friends in bands that will have lost the records that they're worked so hard to create. We'll lose a few quid too, as will other shops, but that's irrelevant compared to what others are having to cope with."

In the face of continuing violence several artists have now taken to the streets in an effort to help clean up London. "At the Bethnal Green clean up, nice to see so many people ready to help in the community!" pop songstress Kate Nash tweeted about helping out. Check out several artists and bands' reaction to the ongoing violence below and stay tuned to Spinner for more updates.

Alex Kapranos of Franz Ferdinand tweeted: "I don't sympathise with the looters at all. I sympathise with the people who live there and have had their livelihoods ruined."

Camera Obscura tweeted: "Hope you're all staying safe. If you live in an affected area and want to help out, check out @Riotcleanup for info on how to get involved."

Kate Nash wrote on Twitter: "Love you london. This is not what/who we are. Riots and violence are not about community but we are. (stay safe tonight) #riotcleanup"

Frank Carter (former singer of Gallows) tweeted: "Why would you burn down people's houses and rob footlocker? Someone give them directions to Bond street."

Watch the BBC's Continuing Coverage of the Riots


Mark Ronson tweeted: #LondonRiots giving eerie flashbacks to the King Riots in '92. My mum wouldn't let me leave the house & i lived 2500 miles away. be careful

Hot Chip tweeted: "battening down the hatches in E2 right now... nearly all shops/bars at the top of brick lane closed... sense of weirdness and unease"

Boy George tweeted: "People in Syria are fighting for their basic human rights while we abuse the luxury of freedom & choice!"

Ricky Wilson of Kaiser Chiefs tweeted: "Home now after a long day on the brooms. If I need to, I'll do it again tomorrow. And the day after. And the day after that. #riotcleanup"

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