Pro-EU ‘big band’ that we pay for
TAXPAYERS’ money is being given to an opponent of Brexit – so he can compose a bizarre piece of music in support of the European Union.
The Government is giving experimental musician Matthew Herbert a share of a £182,000 grant to produce music with his Brexit Big Band.
His handout, which could total £50,000, comes from the Department for International Trade, which is headed by pro-Brexit campaigner Liam Fox.
Mr Herbert will work on the project for the next two years, releasing an album on the day in 2019 when Britain leaves the EU. His project is now at the start of its taxpayer-funded ‘collaborative project right across Europe celebrating artistic and musical collaboration and communities across national borders’.
He will accept any types of ‘found sound’ and at a recent Brexit-inspired concert at London’s Barbican theatre, the percussion for one of his pieces was provided by ripping up a pile of copies of the Daily Mail.
He said his project is designed to strike back against the idea of Britain ‘retreating into an absurd little enclave’. The musician, who once burnt a cello to see what it sounded like, suggested the Referendum ‘leave’ vote was motivated by ‘hate’.
He also wants to create ‘something that’s the opposite of Brexit – about collaboration, about creativity’.
Last year he was commissioned by the BBC to deconstruct Beethoven, which involved using a cutting machine to destroy a violin and other string instruments.
Last night pro-Brexit Conservative MP Peter Bone said: ‘This is not a good use of money. I think most taxpayers, whether Remainers or Leavers, will find it extraordinary that we are giving money to someone whose principal activity seems to be to campaign against the decision of the British people to come out of the European Union. If he is so anti what the Government’s doing perhaps he might like to consider giving the money back.’
A spokesman for the international trade department said: ‘Grants are awarded after being scrutinised and reviewed by a panel of industry experts who judge each application on artistic and commercial merits.’