July 16, 2012 16:02

Radiohead's Thom Yorke blasts the banks at Spanish festival

Meanwhile, Tom Morello speaks up for Occupy at Hard Rock Calling

Photo Gallery: Radiohead
Photo: Pa Photos

Radiohead singer Thom Yorke slammed the Spanish banks during their headlining set at the BBK festival in Bilbao this weekend.

The band were headlining the Spanish festival on Friday (July 13) when he urged fans to take to the streets over the actions of the banking sector and its effect on the country's economy. The comments were especially controversial since the festival was sponsored by savings bank Bilbao Bizkaia Kutxa (BBK).

In between the band playing 'The Daily Mail' and 'Myxamatosis', Yorke said: "We know in Spain you're having a lot of trouble. Cuts cuts, no money no money. Well we think you should be taking to the streets. Someone stole that money off you. The banks."

Watch Radiohead perform 'Idioteque' below.

Meanwhile in London, Tom Morello made a similar statement during his show at Hard Rock Calling on Saturday. Speaking in solidarity with the Occupy movement, who had a dedicated field at Latitude, the singer held up a 'Bang Up The Bankers' banner and gave a spirited tribute.

Before performing the Woody Guthrie song 'Ease My Revolutionary Mind' on what would have been his 100th birthday, he said: "Currently on stages across the country right now, the Occupy movement is hanging up the 'Bang Up The Bankers' sign. So in solidarity across this great nation with Woody's legacy and with the global struggles of the 99% against the malfeasance of the corporate sector that has torpedoed the global economy and caused so much misery for millions of families, I'd like to say Happy Birthday to Woody Guthrie that your struggle is alive in song on this stage today."

Watch Morello's Occupy statement below.

The Occupy Latitude site saw a 'Move Your Money' flashmob, a Q&A with former St Paul's Canon Chancellor Giles Fraser, and appearances from comedians Josie Long and David O'Doherty.

The world's greatest music magazine is now available as a digital edition! For exclusive content you won't find on NME.COM, download here on your iPad/iPhone and here on your Kindle Fire or Nook.

Share on Facebook