Ex-Arctic Monkey and The Rev to join Babyshambles man live

Babyshambles bassist Drew McConnell will form an indie supergroup for the forthcoming Love Music Hate Racism carnival, set to take place on April 27 in London's Victoria Park.

McConnell's band Helsinki will include Jon McClure of Reverend And The Makers, Andy Nicholson, formerly of Arctic Monkeys, Ed Larrikin of The Pan I Am and Babyshambles' guitarist Mik Whitnall.

Poly Styrene of X-Ray Spex, who performed at the carnival in 1978, will also perform with Helsinki.

McConnell is expected to announce further special guests for the carnival, which is free to attend.

Speaking about the carnival, McConnell said: "This has got to be the most important event of the year. Dozens of the best acts around, a huge celebration of multicultural London and a chance to help stop those BNP racists gaining a foothold in the capital.

"We'll be there doing our bit, so bring everybody you know and join us! Oh – and the whole thing's free, so put your hand in your pocket and give generously to the anti-racist cause."

Other bands set to appear on the bill include Hard-Fi, Patrick Wolf and Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.

Babyshambles tickets:

See Babyshambles play at an O2 Venue. Remember if you're on O2 you can get Priority Tickets to The O2 and O2 Academy venues up to 48 hours before they go on general release. Register at o2priority.co.uk. Terms apply.