CORBYN ROCKS FOR
HE’S never released a record in his life but Jeremy Corbyn got what is probably one of the warmest receptions ever at Glastonbury. The Labour leader used his invitation on the Pyramid Stage to send a message to the US President as he urged Donald Trump to “build bridges not walls”.
After thanking Glastonbury founder Michael Eavis for the worldfamous festival and bringing “the spirit of great messages” he turned his attention to the USA.
He said: “... look on the wall right over there ...and there’s a message on that wall for President Donald Trump. It says build bridges not walls”.
“Politics is about the lives of all of us and the wonderful campaign that I was proud to lead brought a lot of people back into politics because they believed there was something on offer for them.
“What was even more inspiring was the number of young people who got involved for the very first time because they were fed up with being told they don’t matter and that their generation was going to pay more to get less in education, housing, health, pensions and everything else.
“Well, it didn’t quite work out like that and that politics that got out of the box, is not going back in any box because we are there demanding an achievement of something very different in our society.”
He explained that the five-day fes- tival was about “coming together” and symbolised the importance of the environment and peace.
Mr Corbyn continued: “Let’s stop the denigration of refugees, people looking for a place of safety in a cruel and dangerous world. Let’s support them in their hour of need, not see them as a threat and a danger.”
Spreading his message across the globe, he added: “Let’s tackle the causes of war, the greed for natural resources, the denial of human rights, the irrational imprisonment of political opponents.”
The politician shared his own memories of visiting Glastonbury Tor as a child and described it as a “magical area” and a place where “people come together and achieve things”.
He also praised the festival for inspiring arts and music and for promoting the importance of protecting the environment.
Speaking of his aims for global policies that will share wealth across societies, he added that he hoped to see an end to people living on “the margins of society”.
Mr Corbyn said he was proud to speak at the festival as he appeared in front of thousands to introduce US hip hop duo Run The Jewels.
Chants of “Oh Jeremy Corbyn” could be heard in the closing stages of the Islington MP’s speech.
Meanwhile Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins said he was feeling the pressure as the band prepared to headline the festival last night.
The American rockers were due to take over the main Pyramid Stage, two years after frontman Dave Grohl fell off a stage and injured his leg, forcing the group to cancel their festival appearance.
Promising the “best performance possible,” Hawkins said: “I always try to do the best performance I have ever done... so that has even added to that.
“It has been built up, so it had better be good.”
While he praised his fellow Best Of You stars’ traditional performance style, the 45-year-old said the band would have to stand up against modern artists using advanced music technology.
“We don’t have any backing tracks, we don’t have any dancers,” he said, “and nowadays that is somewhat unique.”
He added: “I would say 90% of the bands, if you can call them bands, out there are all connected to some kind of iMac interspace system... but with us what you hear up there is really just what we have managed to put together at that moment.
“In a way we are up against that, so the best thing we can do is just throw a party... and have fun.”
It follows Friday night headliners Radiohead – some of Hawkins’ oldest industry friends.
Radiohead’s appearance marked 20 years since the band’s heavily criticised 1997 show at the Somerset festival and the release of hit album OK Computer.
Their return prompted mixed political reactions from the crowd as some festival-goers held up banners in protest against the group’s decision to perform in Tel Aviv.
But the British rockers proved a hit with the audience, and they delighted fans with nostalgic renditions of hit tracks No Surprises, Creep and Karma Police.
The band also treated fans to renditions of Street Spirit and Exit Music (For A Film).