Damon Albarn, Johnny Marr, Ellie Goulding Outraged Over Brexit
In a historic referendum, Britain voted to leave the European Union, leaving a wave of economic uncertainty that has left many musicians and entertainment industry members crestfallen and outraged.
On Friday, British musicians like Blur‘s Damon Albarn and British indie pop band Bastille used the stages of Glastonbury Festival as a platform. “Democracy failed us because it was ill-informed,” Albarn said Friday morning onstage.
Damon Albarn first Glastonbury star to mention EU result. “Democracy failed us because it was ill-informed.” pic.twitter.com/4tnok61MUH
— Kaya Burgess (@kayaburgess) June 24, 2016
Bastille changed the lyrics of their hit “Pompeii” during a live acoustic set, with frontman Dan Smith singing, “And the pound kept tumbling down on the weekend that we love.” The British pound sank to its lowest level in 31 years following the decision.
The “Brexit” vote means that over the next two years, Britain will negotiate its secession plan with the EU, the 28-state economic and political union initiated after World War II and formally established in 1993. Many fear that one of the repercussions of the Brexit will be the secession of Scotland from the U.K. since Scots voted to remain in the EU. British prime minister David Cameron also announced his resignation hours after the vote to leave the EU was determined.
Many members of the music community took to social media to voice dismay over the vote, including Oasis‘ Noel and Liam Gallagher, Dev Hynes, Disclosure, Ellie Goulding, Johnny Marr, Lily Allen and J.K. Rowling.
Moving to Mars with Bowie
— Disclosure (@disclosure) June 24, 2016
No one ever said that the majority know what they’re doing. All the more reason for the rest of us to stick together.
— Johnny Marr (@Johnny_Marr) June 24, 2016
@elliegoulding you can come live in the states with me where we aren’t screwed until november
— j (@jxsef) June 24, 2016
Sad sad day https://t.co/yRnetyrczK
— lily (@lilyallen) June 24, 2016
I think it’s hard for non Brits to understand fully why this is so heart breaking and scary
— Devonté Hynes (@devhynes) June 24, 2016
Scotland will seek independence now. Cameron’s legacy will be breaking up two unions. Neither needed to happen. https://t.co/4MDj7pndcq
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) June 24, 2016