A minority of fans were called out by Lily Allen for disrupting a minute of silence in commemoration to the Grenfell Tower fire, two years ago yesterday.
During the gig in the Isle of Wight, the Hammersmith born singer paused at one point to ask the audience for a moment of silence in tribute to the 72 people that lost their lives in the tragedy, with even more left without a home in the wake of the fire.
However, a small number of the attendance in the crowd began to shout toward the stage, interrupting the silent vigil, prompting Allen to call them out after the tribute had ended.
Following the silence, Allen said, “anyone who spoke during that is a c***”, before going on to play ‘The Fear’, and dedicating the hit song to the audience members responsible. At another point during her set, Lily performed ‘F You’, aiming the track at politicians such as Theresa May and Boris Johnson.
Footage from the festival was uploaded by fans onto Twitter, with many taking to social media to express their support for Lily’s vigil.
Other acts performed on Friday night at the Isle of Wight gig, including Noel Gallagher, with acts such as Bastille and Jess Glynne set for the weekend ahead.
Lily Allen held a two minute silence at #IoW2019 for the victims of Grenfell. Observed by most. As Lily put it: “If you didn’t observe that silence then you are a cunt.” I’ve always loved @lilyallen pic.twitter.com/v7GG7L0P79
— Mary Williams (@marymaryw) June 14, 2019
In the city, thousands of people, ranging from supporters to mourners, took part in a silent walk in memory of those lost in the tragedy, adorning green scarves and Justice for Grenfell placards. Among those attending were British rapper Stormzy and Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn, showing their support to the cause.
In 2018, survivors and artists including Adele and Stormzy, joined with Grenfell United to make a plea for a national change in the aftermath of the West London Blaze. They ask the government for changes to be made in the wake of the tragedy.
Stormzy says in the video, “This isn’t a charity film, this is a clarity film”, including testimonies from the survivors of that night. “We stood and watched our homes burn”, says one woman, to a young girl’s admission of, “I was in a coma for two weeks”.
