Jeremy Corbyn made an appearance on the main stage at London’s Wide Awake festival, calling for support for “people in a desperate situation in Gaza”.
The festival, which is taking place at Brockwell Park today (May 23), is headlined by Kneecap and also features sets from CMAT, English Teacher, Daniel Avery, Mannequin Pussy, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, and Nadine Shah – who Corbyn introduced to stage.
Corbyn took the Wide Awake stage to address the crowd and list the causes that he wants to rally support for.
“We’re here today to get support for people in a desperate situation in Gaza and the West Bank,” he started, before being cheered by the crowd. “We’re here also to celebrate music, celebrate music venues, and celebrate the joy that music brings to millions.”
The former Labour leader also announced that he has tabled a bill in Parliament calling for an inquiry into the British military’s role in Israeli operations in Gaza. Elsewhere in the speech, he addresses the blockade of aid and food to Gaza – “they are being deliberately starved to death,” he said.
“I’m sorry to say, but for a very long time this country…has supplied weapons and supplied parts for the F-35 jets that are used to bomb Gaza,” he said to the crowd. “So when we have the demonstrations in support for the Palestinian people, please be there and raise your voice.”
Speaking about the importance of protecting music venues, he said: “If we don’t protect these venues, where are the musicians of tomorrow going to come from?”
He continued: “In my view music is something that brings us together, allows us to understand each other, and gives young people the real opportunity to express their creativity and and joy of life. So let’s defend festivals, defend music venues…learn music at school and enjoy what comes with it…music inspires people during adversity.”
Watch Corbyn’s full speech at Wide Awake in a fan-captured video below.
Corbyn’s speech just now to the Wide Awake Festival in south London pic.twitter.com/ooCG3x54nn
— Stephen Smith (@SteveNickSmith) May 23, 2025
Corbyn has been a long-standing pro-Palestinian advocate, previously speaking out about issues in Gaza and the West Bank.
The lead-up to this year’s edition of Wide Awake festival has been bumpy, after local resident Rebekah Shaman, a member of the Protect Brockwell Park group, took legal action against Lambeth Council, arguing that organisers Brockwell Live (the organisers behind Wide Awake, Field Day, the Mighty Hoopla) did not have the correct planning permission for the events. Last week (May 16), a judge ruled in her favour.
The ruling caused concern for the plight of the many festivals that were due to be held on the site this summer, with the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) warning of the possibility of a “devastating blow” to London culture as a result. However, organisers Brockwell Live confirmed on Monday (May 19) that “no event will be cancelled as a result of the High Court’s decision”.
Today (May 23), the festival announced a last-minute reduced ticket scheme due to rising legal costs.
Additionally, the festival comes amid a period of controversy for Kneecap, who are set to headline the festival today. On Wednesday (May 21) Mo Chara received a terror offence charge, which the band have slammed as a “carnival of distraction”.
The Irish rap trio have today (May 23) released a politically-charged new single, ‘The Recap’, featuring Mozey.
The relentless and blistering new track ‘The Recap’ begins with a “breaking news” bulletin about counter terrorism police investigating Kneecap. In a breakdown of the team-up with drum and bass artist Mozey, the trio rap about Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch’s attempt at “fooling everybody“.