Asian Dub Foundation are to play the Greenbelt 99 Christian festival which takes place at Cheltenham Racecourse from July 29 to August 1.
The band will perform on July 31, but only if they are allowed to hold a discussion on the Stephen Lawrence murder case with the Metropolitan Police’s Sir Paul Condon and Stephen‘s mother, Doreen at the festival.
A spokesman for ADF said: “They’re only going to do the festival if this debate happens. They’re hoping to discuss the Stephen Lawrence case and all the wider issues it brought up.”
Other acts playing the Church Of England-approved festival are Jah Wobble, Trans-Global Underground and assorted world music and Christian rock acts.
Festival manager Andy Thornton (no relation to nme.com editor Anthony Thornton) explained the decision to put ADF on the bill was part of Greenbelt‘s “radical Christianity” approach.
He told NME: “We recognise Jesus as an historical figure, rather than just a religious figure. Jesus tried to overturn some of the systems of the time and through his death made a significant non-violent protest. It’s about opening up Christianity to the real world.”
Asian Dub Foundation are also scheduled to play the free Bradford Festival at Peel Park from July 3-4.
More information is available from the festival’s website at www.bradfordfestival.yorks.com or call 01274 309199 for a free programme.