Syd Shelton: Rock Against Racism at Gallery Oldham and Online

Sara Jaspan, Exhibitions Editor

Visit now

Rock Against Racism

14 March-21 November 2020

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Syd Shelton: Rock Against Racism at Gallery Oldham
Specials Fans. Potternewton Park, Leeds, 1981. Courtesy of the artist and Autograph, London
Book now

Syd Shelton: Rock Against Racism had only been open for days at Gallery Oldham before the venue closed due to the ongoing situation with Coronavirus. Following lockdown restrictions, we’re delighted to say that the gallery is now back open and the exhibition has been extended, as well as being available to enjoy online. 

The Yorkshire-born photographer Syd Shelton’s first real involvement in Rock Against Racism (RAR) was in 1977, when he attended and took pictures at the Battle of Lewisham. The landmark event saw thousands of local people, community leaders and civil liberties activists stage a counter-march against the National Front, which had organised an ‘anti-mugging’ demonstration running through the multi-cultural London district under the pretext of protesting about street crime. The day quickly escalated into violence. Yet, whilst Shelton’s images reflect the wider climate of institutionalised racism and growing support for the far-right in Britain during the period, they also show the hope, unity and resistance with which this was partly met.

RAR was present at ‘the Battle’ and Shelton described the day as what really kicked the movement off. It had been born a year earlier out of a mission to challenge racist and fascist tendencies in British music and unite people across different musical genres, particularly reggae and punk. It was still rare for black and white musicians to perform together at the time, and RAR played a big part in changing this through the more than 500 gigs it staged around the UK between 1976-1982. Shelton became one of the movement’s key activists, photographing audiences and performers such as The Clash, Elvis Costello, Misty in Roots, Tom Robinson, Au Pairs and The Specials at RAR concerts, and helping to produce its influential fanzine Temporary Hoarding.

The national touring exhibition by Autograph of Shelton’s collected images from the period is now online at Gallery Oldham, offering a fascinating snapshot of the raw energy, optimism and excitement that defined RAR, as well as the social context out of which it emerged. With levels of racism and nationalist support back on the rise in Britain and abroad, this important chapter in music history seems well worth revisiting, and Shelton’s photographs bring it alive powerfully.

Autograph shares the work of artists who use photography and film to highlight issues of identity, representation, human rights and social justice.

Where to go near Syd Shelton: Rock Against Racism at Gallery Oldham and Online

Hern Food
Leeds
Restaurant
Hern

This produce-driven bistro in Chapel Allerton, Leeds, prides itself on cooking with the only finest ingredients and his headed up by Cordon Bleu-trained chef Rab Adams.

Indie Makers
Leeds
Shop
Indie Makers

Indie Makers, located in Leads’ corn exchange, trades in art and gifts from independent makers across the UK.

Plant Point
Leeds
Shop
Plant Point

Plant Point is designed to help you bring the jungle into your urban or suburban space. The home of beautiful plants in Leeds.

Leeds
Restaurant
Eat Your Greens

Eat Your Greens is a vibrant, organic restaurant bringing a hint of European flair to the city’s plant-based dining scene.

Sela opened in 2004 with an idea to provide quality imported beers from around the world, fun cocktails to compliment the beer selections and a stage for the region’s finest and most talented musicians to play on.Over ten years later, we’re still all about the beer, cocktails, live music and pizza!We carry over a selection of over thirty different beers spanning the globe from Pickering with The Great Yorkshire Brewery’s Yorkshire Blackout, to New York with a selection from Brooklyn Brewery, and Belgium with longtime Sela favourite, Vedett.Our cocktails change regularly too. Our best-sellers are joined by fun, new offerings and our pizza menu is regarded as one of the best the city of Leeds has to offer.As for the live music, Sela has had not only the great and the good from the region. Local funksters, The New Mastersounds are regular visitors and we stage the amazing Mojah Reggae Band for their weekly Wednesday residency.  Our other long running programming incl
Leeds
Restaurant
Sela Bar & Pizzeria

Sela Bar is a cosy Leeds basement spot with live music, great drinks, and a cool, laid-back, atmospheric vibe.

Leeds Beckett SU
Leeds
Restaurant
Leeds Beckett Student Union

Leeds Beckett Student Union hosts big-name artists and supports students through events, live music, and a vibrant campus venue.

Located on Cardigan Fields Leisure Park, Vue Leeds Kirkstall is a nine screen cinema with almost 2000 seats. There's ample parking and the cinema is surrounded by various restaurants and entertainment facilities, making for a great evening out!

Watch the latest film releases and enjoy the industry-leading Sony 4K Digital screens, boasting spectacular picture quality, along with enhanced audio quality courtesy of Dolby 'Profound Sound'. Stepped SuperVue seating means you will never miss a second of the action while VIP seating guarantees you an extra touch of luxury whenever you want to upgrade.

Three of the nine screens showcase the newest 3D releases while Vue Classical brings the latest stage sensations to the big screen, and parents can save as they go with Family Tickets and Kids AM screenings offering great value for money.
Leeds
Cinema
Vue Cinema – Leeds Kirkstall Road

Located on Cardigan Fields Leisure Park, Vue Leeds Kirkstall is a nine screen cinema with almost 2000 seats. There’s ample parking and the cinema is surrounded by various restaurants and

Restaurant 2
Leeds
Café or Coffee Shop
Empire Café

Empire Café is located in Leeds’ ‘home of day dining’- Fish street!

Restaurant
Leeds
Restaurant
Phranakhon

Phranakhon Thai Tapas is a revolutionised Thai dining restaurant with a combination of European indulgence and authentic Thai tastes.

Restaurant
Leeds
Restaurant
Wen’s

Wen’s is a family owned Chinese restaurant specialising in authentic, home cooked cuisine.

What's on: Exhibitions

Culture Guides

Star Nhà Ease
Cinema in the North

July's cinema highlights include spotlights on international cinema, a new cult classic, plus a visit from one of our favourite directors.

Exhibitions in the North

Captivating, urgent and intimate - we bring you our top exhibition picks, with even more art festivals, artist-led shows and new venues.

Theatre in Manchester
Theatre in the North

Summer signals theatre festivals, world premieres and open-air spectacle - from MIF25 to comedy, outdoor circus and beyond, here’s what we’re looking forward to.

European Poetry Festival European Camarade
Literature Events in the North

From tongue-twisters to twisty page-turners, we have all kinds of spoken word surprises in the latest literature round-up.