One thing I learnt from this book is that the military are the biggest employers of musicians in Britain.

Obviously the powers that be know the power of a good tune. Why else would American children be forced to sing The Star Spangled Banner every day at school, sacred music be an important part of many religions, advertisers spend millions on jingles, and songs thought subversive or sacrilegious find themselves banned? It seems incredible, but until as recently as 1997 the BBC used to send us off to bed at night to the strains of God Save the Queen. Apparently Radio 4 still does!

In this very readable and highly enjoyable book, Dave Randall shows why it is important for our side to understand and use this power too. He traces with passionate dedication the role that music has played in mass movements, most notably, of course, when opposing the National Front in the 1970s, and in continuing to undermine racism today. He also details its motivating role internationally in struggles as diverse as those in Palestine, South Africa and Poland.

Most importantly, this insightful book aims not just to be an interesting academic read, but also a guide to action. The Rebel Music Manifesto provides some simple steps to harnessing the unsettling, inspiring and motivating power of music to help promote social change. He advises valuing honesty above virtuosity, thinking creatively about choice of venues and use of social media, and above all not being scared to mix music and politics, to link musicians with movements.

In this way it can help us create a better world, one in which, of course, the production and consumption of music will be revolutionised too, so that all children will have proper access to it in schools, and a world in which we certainly won’t be marching to the military’s tune. ( )