Fatboy Slim performed an impromptu set at a counter-protest rally in Brighton on June 13. The event opposed an anti-immigration demonstration organized by the South East Patriots group.
The ‘Carnival Against Fascism’ drew around 4,000 participants in the city centre. Organisers described the gathering as a stand against “racists in so-called ‘Patriots’ groups” calling for mass deportations.
Fatboy Slim set up outside Brighton’s train station and played for the crowd, including the track ‘Praise You’. He later posted on Instagram that he had “never been more proud of my home town” and added the slogan “More disco, less fascism…”.
The opposing rally attracted an estimated 300 people. Police arrested eight individuals during the day for offences including assaulting an officer and breach of the peace.
The counter-protest followed similar large-scale events in London earlier in the year that featured performances by Billy Bragg, Self Esteem and Jessie Ware.