Alan McGee is teaming up with bands and venues in London as part of the Musicians Against Homelessness #MAH2017 campaign to raise money for the homeless charity Crisis.
Rock and pop stars including Shaun Ryder and Cast are backing the cause, which looks set to have an even bigger impact this year.
It was publicly supported by celebrities such as Lilly Allen, Liam Gallagher and Irvine Welsh and more than 500 bands played over one hundred MAH benefit gigs around the UK.
Hundreds of bands and artists have again got behind this year’s drive which coincides with the 50th anniversary of Crisis.
Many gigs have announced in London with more in the pipeline, they include a punk mini-fest featuring some well know names and a surprise announcement due imminently from the band Trampolene with ’special guests’.
On the 17th September the mighty Soccer Six teams up with MAH as official charity partner at Mile End stadium with The Darkness, Starsailor, Mallory Knox already confirmed, plus many familiar faces from TV and music. Tickets available and also opportunities for bands to enter a team. https://www.facebook.com/SoccerSix/
Alan McGee said: “I am delighted that bands of this calibre want to be part of this campaign.
“The support in London has been tremendous and inspiring and it’s fantastic that so many quality bands have come forward
“Although our primary concern is to combat the scourge of homelessness it is vital that the MAH gigs also give up-and-coming combos a chance to play to larger audiences.”
Alan McGee said: “Last year the response was incredible but more people know about us now.
“We are getting people talking and taking action on homelessness in the best way we know how, through music and community.
“This problem will not go away. Statistics show a significant rise in the people sleeping rough on British streets – 4134 in January in England alone- which is an absolute disgrace.”
Happy Mondays and Black Grape star Shaun Ryder said: “To see so many people in this day and age homeless and hungry is unbelievable. This is not Victorian Britain!
“As usual it’s the people who are not in a position to speak for themselves or be heard who get left behind and ignored.
“It’s become so common to see homeless people on the streets that maybe it’s not a shock when you walk past. Or maybe it’s so shocking that you have to look away, and try not to think about it?”
Ryder, who is currently enjoying a return to the charts with Black Grape, and about to tour with the Happy Mondays, went on: “The sad thing is, it’s not the public’s problem, but they’re the ones most likely to actually help the homeless than anyone in government.
“I’ve been through some difficult times in my life, but fortunately I’ve always had a roof over my head.
“If I found myself in a desperate and vulnerable position where I’d have to trust the decisions being made in Parliament, I’d be seriously worried.”
John Power, lead singer with Cast, said: “It’s great to be asked to be involved with the Musicians Against Homelessness campaign again.
“With so many ongoing problems in the world today it’s sometimes easy to forget the ones in which you come face to face with everyday in the towns and cities up and down the UK.”
Power, currently on tour promoting Cast’s new album Kicking Up The Dust, added: “Homelessness is a massive problem and one we can’t just step over and ignore.
“Let’s help bring awareness to the ever increasing problem of homelessness on our streets today.”
Alan McGee said: “The homeless situation in the UK is sickening and shocking but there is a growing awareness of the desperation people at the bottom have to endure, thanks to the musicians who back us.
“The safety nets people have relied on are slowly and consistently being taken away.
“Cuts to benefits and unfair sanctions are callously putting the most vulnerable at risk of homelessness.
“I know people who have jobs but have to ‘couch-surf’ because they can’t afford to rent or get on the housing ladder.”
This year’s MAH gigs will run throughout September.
