When, in 1996, the festival was set up, it was originally called "Respect". While primarily a music festival it also worked to encourage trade unions, voluntary groups, charities and community organisations to highlight their work and ideas concerning equality and the promotion of anti-racism.

The original event took part in Finsbury Park and featured artists Chumbawumba, Fun-Da-Mental, Asian Dub Foundation and Incognito. In 1997 the featured musicians were Luciano, Audioweb, the Fun Lovin' Criminals and Dreadzone and the event took place in Victoria Park, Hackney.

There was no event between 1998 and 2000, but in May 2000 Ken Livingstone was elected Mayor with a manifesto pledge to organise that the Anti-racist festival become a yearly event.

The first festival, dubbed "respect", under Livingstones tenure took place in 2001 and attracted around 60,000 people. Since then attendances have been reached around 100,000. After the launch of the political party also called Respect the festival changed its name to Rise for 2005. After the 7 July 2005 London bombings it was renamed London United.

The 2006 festival returned to Finsbury Park on July 8, where Graham Coxon, Sway, the Buzzcocks, Killa Kela, Roy Ayers and The Wailers played as well as there being a children's play area, fair ground, food and drink, exhibitions and arts and crafts.

List of festivals

• 1996 - Finsbury Park - Chumbawumba, Fun-Da-Mental, Asian Dub Foundation, Incognito
• 1997 - Victoria Park, Hackney - Luciano, Audioweb, Fun Lovin' Criminals, Dreadzone
• 2001 - Finsbury Park - Blue, Run DMC, Mis-Teeq, Desmond Dekker
• 2002 - Victoria Park, Hackney - De La Soul
• 2003 - Millennium Dome - Public Enemy, Gregory Isaacs
• 2004 - Victoria Park, Hackney - Apache Indian, Tim Westwood, Big Brovaz
• 16 July, 2005 - Burgess Park, Peckham - Lemar, Goldie Lookin Chain, Raghav

External links

• Official web site
• Rise: London United Mayoral Official Website.
• Rise Festival 2006 View London preview of 2006 festival.

References