'Love music, hate racism' - Andy Burnham's passionate riots speech at indie icon Pete Doherty's Manchester gig

The Libertines star was the headline act at the launch of the Northenden Fringe Festival at the historic 350-capacity Cringlewood Social Club on Thursday night.

Before Doherty took to the stage the Mayor of Greater Manchester addressed the crowd and acknowledged the unsavoury scenes of rioting seen across the country over the last few days following the Southport stabbing that took the lives of three little girls - Elsie Dot Stancombe, Bebe King, and Alice da Silva Aguiar. 

Burnham’s message was one of defiance though, highlighting a “Mancunian philosophy – love music, hate racism”.

He said: ”There's so much to love about this place where we live but the best thing is we are really true to a simple philosophy, a Mancunian philosophy – love music, hate racism. That's what we are all about.”

The crowd erupted in cheers of support as he continued to address the anti-immigration demonstrations that have seen mass arrests and some people already jailed. 

“Things have been pretty bad this week,” Burnham added. “I know people who have been going out their front doors to work  looking over their shoulder. I heard about a 12-year-old kid who wouldn't go to play at his football club  because he thought he was going to get abuse shouted at him or hurt. How bad is that? That is not us is it? That is not what we are all about. 

“Some of the people out there say we want to take our country back. They want to make this country like something it's never been before where people are fearful going about their lives everyday. That's not Greater Manchester.

“It's fantastic to see you all here, it's brilliant to be supporting the club, to be supporting the community. You know what we do in Greater Manchester – we look out for each other, we check in on each other, we stand with each other. We are here to celebrate everything that this place is all about and all of the things we share together. We love our music, we hate racism, we are Greater Manchester.”

Following its successful debut in 2023, the Northenden Fringe Festival has expanded to a series of events from August 22-25. This multi-venue event will coincide with the New Order and Blossoms super shows at neighbouring Wythenshawe Park, offering an alternative, community-focused musical experience.