Liverpool’s iconic Cavern Club has cancelled a performance this weekend by rockabilly singer and pianist Dylan Kirk and his band after anti-fascist campaigners raised concerns over Kirk’s recent appearance in a photograph alongside Paul Golding, the leader of Britain First.
Laughing together
The picture was taken at the rally which concluded an anti-migrant march earlier this month in Faversham, Kirk’s home town. The rally was addressed by Golding and the march organiser Harry Hilden, and ‘entertained’ by Missus Kent aka Jodi Scott aka Jodi Goodban.
Kirk posed with Golding, giving a V-for-victory sign, and was then pictured laughing with Golding before the Britain First leader’s speech.
The image, widely circulated by Merseyside Anti-Fascist Network, prompted calls for the venue to withdraw the booking.
Activists argued that allowing the gig to go ahead would have stood in stark contrast to the Cavern’s historic links with the Beatles, who consistently opposed racism, segregation, and bigotry.
Incompatible
Liverpool’s long-standing reputation as a city that rejects fascism, they said, was incompatible with platforming an artist associated, however indirectly, with far-right extremism.
Following growing public pressure, the Cavern Club confirmed yesterday that the performance, originally planned for Sunday 30 November, has been cancelled.
Legitimacy
Local anti-fascists welcomed the decision, saying venues tied to Liverpool’s cultural heritage have a responsibility to ensure they do not inadvertently offer legitimacy to the far-right.
Kirk, regarded as one of the most talented musicians on the Rockabilly scene, has now had six gigs in an eight gig tour cancelled.
Reasons for the others have not been made public but recent pronouncements by him on social media, in particular his responses to Rockabilly Against Racism, together with the Golding photo, may well have played a part.
