Instigate Debate is a cultural and political UK project set up by a collective that includes musicians Jon McClure

Jon McClure

Jon McClure, known as the Reverend, is lead singer and frontman of Reverend and The Makers and ex-vocalist of 1984 and Judan Suki. He claims that the name "Reverend" became his moniker because "I'm a big mouth and always running on at people"....

, Carl Barat

Carl Barât

Carl Ashley Raphael Barât is an English musician, actor and author. He was the frontman and lead guitarist of Dirty Pretty Things, and recently debuted a solo album, but is best known for being the co-frontman with Peter Doherty of the garage rock band The Libertines.-Early life:Carl Barât was...

, Kieran Leonard

Kieran Leonard

Kieran Leonard is a British singer-songwriter and musician of Irish descent, who performs as a solo artist and with his four piece band he refers to as 'The Horses'.He is particularly known for his poetical songwriting, and compelling live performances...

 and writer and political activist Mark Donne

Mark Donne

Mark Donne is a London based journalist, writer and political campaigner. His recorded interests include Latin American politics, English poetry and social justice in Britain...

 in August 2008.

The project was established in protest at a perceived dominance of tabloid culture in the UK media and to encourage particularly young people to use guerilla means to interview elected politicians, celebrities, and public figures in general to answer questions on the main issues of the day. Answers would then be filmed on mobile camera phones and sent to the main http://www.instigatedebate.com site and the ID site on you tube http://www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=instigate+debate&aq=0&oq=instigate+.

Participants in ID obtain impromptu or street interviews with public figures including political leaders and celebrities, who are asked questions relating to the key issues of the day, which are filmed on mobile camera phones. The images are then posted on the ID website and the ID you tube pages http://www.www.youtube.com/results?search_type=&search_query=instigate+debate&aq=1&oq=instigate. Mark Donne

Mark Donne

Mark Donne is a London based journalist, writer and political campaigner. His recorded interests include Latin American politics, English poetry and social justice in Britain...

 explained the concept in an article for The Guardian

The Guardian

The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...

 news paper in summer 2008: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/aug/16/politicsandthearts?gusrc=rss&feed=politics

The best interviews with topical questions and popular subjects can win guerilla house concerts from bands including The Libertines

The Libertines

The Libertines were an English rock band, formed in London in 1997 by frontmen Carl Barât and Pete Doherty . The band, centred on the song-writing partnership of Barat and Doherty, also included John Hassall and Gary Powell for most of its recording career...

, Babyshambles

Babyshambles

Babyshambles are an English indie rock band established in London. The band was formed by Pete Doherty during a hiatus from his former band The Libertines, but Babyshambles has since become his main project . Babyshambles has released two albums, three EPs and a number of singles...

, Reverend and the Makers

Reverend and The Makers

Reverend and The Makers are an indie pop band based in Sheffield, England and signed to Wall of Sound. The band is fronted by Jon McClure, nicknamed "The Reverend"...

, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly and others.

Senegalese musician Baaba Maal

Baaba Maal

Baaba Maal is a Senegalese singer and guitarist born in Podor, on the Senegal River. In addition to acoustic guitar, he also plays percussion. He has released several albums, both for independent and major labels. In July 2003, he was made a UNDP Youth Emissary.-Biography:Born 12 November 1953...

 recently played a house concert for an instigate winner in a house in Hammersmith, West London.

As well as impromptu house concerts and interviews ID also hold open public debates with cultural figures and members of parliament in pubs, venues and free festivals which also include un-announced music performances.

The open debates have included:

• “Your country needs you to go shopping, Is that we are good for in 2009 ?” @ The Boogaloo, March'09.

Panel: Ken Livingstone

Ken Livingstone

Kenneth Robert "Ken" Livingstone is an English politician who is currently a member of the centrist to centre-left Labour Party...

, Laura Manuel (Reverend & the Makers) & Polly Styrene (X-ray Specs). Host: Andy Zaltzman

Andy Zaltzman

Andrew "Andy" Zaltzman is a British comedian and author who largely focuses on political material. He has worked extensively with John Oliver; their work together includes Political Animal, The Department and The Bugle.-Early life:...

. Live: Fionn Regan

Fionn Regan

Fionn Regan is an Irish singer-songwriter and artist from Bray, County Wicklow, who came to prominence in 2006 with the release of his Mercury-nominated debut album, The End of History...

.

• “The Nature of Greed. The expenses, the bonuses, the holidays, the 2nd houses…” @ The Boogaloo May '09.

Panel: Jon McCLure

Jon McClure

Jon McClure, known as the Reverend, is lead singer and frontman of Reverend and The Makers and ex-vocalist of 1984 and Judan Suki. He claims that the name "Reverend" became his moniker because "I'm a big mouth and always running on at people"....

 (Reverend & the Makers), Melissa Suffield

Melissa Suffield

Melissa Hollie Suffield is a British actress from London, best known for her role in the BBC soap opera EastEnders as Lucy Beale. Her first appearance on the show was 28 October 2004 and her last on 27 August 2010.-Career:...

 (Eastenders) & Karen Buck

Karen Buck

Karen Patricia Buck is a British Labour Party politician, who has been the Member of Parliament for Regent's Park and Kensington North since 1997, and is a former Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport....

 M.P. (Regents Park & North Kensington). Host: John O’Sullivan. Live Act: The Lost Brothers.

• “Taking Liberties: Is the price right for our Freedom?” @ The Paradise Gardens Festival, June '09.

Panel: Bianca Jagger

Bianca Jagger

Bianca Jagger is a Nicaraguan-born social and human rights advocate and a former actress and model...

 (World Future Council), Joe Corre (Agent Provocateur) & Adam Price

Adam Price

Adam Price is a politician in Wales, and former Plaid Cymru Member of Parliament for Carmarthen East and Dinefwr. He was elected to Parliament in the 2001 general election and re-elected in 2005 but stood down at the 2010 election...

 M.P. Host: John O’Sullivan.

• “Tabloid Culture: Is Our News Media Walking a New Street of Shame?” @ Latitude Festival, July '09.

Panel: Jon McClure

Jon McClure

Jon McClure, known as the Reverend, is lead singer and frontman of Reverend and The Makers and ex-vocalist of 1984 and Judan Suki. He claims that the name "Reverend" became his moniker because "I'm a big mouth and always running on at people"....

, Ben Bradshaw

Ben Bradshaw

Benjamin Peter James Bradshaw is a British Labour politician who has been the Member of Parliament for Exeter since 1997, and served in the Cabinet as Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport....

 (Secretary of State of Culture, Media & Sport), Peta Todd

Peta Todd

Peta Louise Todd is an English glamour model and Page Three girl.-Career:Todd first appeared on The Sun newspaper's Page 3 when she was 18. She took time out of her modelling career in 2006 to have her son Finnbar but returned to Page 3 soon after...

 (Page 3 Girl & political activist) & Terence Blacker

Terence Blacker

Terence Blacker is an English author, columnist, journalist, and publisher. He is the son of General Sir Cecil Hugh Blacker, and the brother of sculptor Philip Blacker....

 (Journalist for The Independent & author). Host: John O’Sullivan.

• "Dead or Alive? Can Independent Music Survive the 21st Century?" @ Reading & Leeds August '09.

Reading Panel: Jon McClure

Jon McClure

Jon McClure, known as the Reverend, is lead singer and frontman of Reverend and The Makers and ex-vocalist of 1984 and Judan Suki. He claims that the name "Reverend" became his moniker because "I'm a big mouth and always running on at people"....

, Steve Lamacq

Steve Lamacq

Steve Lamacq , sometimes known by his nicknames Lammo or "The Cat" is an English disc jockey, currently working with the BBC radio stations BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2.-Early career:He was born in Basingstoke, Hampshire...

 (BBC6 presenter), Stephen Street

Stephen Street

Stephen Street is an English music producer best known for his work with The Smiths in the 1980s, as well as Blur and The Cranberries in the 1990s. Street also collaborated with Morrissey on some of his most popular work after The Smiths broke up, playing instruments and co-writing songs...

 (Blur / Smiths producer), Paul Stokes

Paul Stokes

Paul Stokes is a former Irish footballer.A striker he made a League of Ireland scoring debut for Waterford United at Bray Wanderers on the 31st of October 1993. In total he scored 7 goals in 13 appearances for the Blues before moving to Newry Town.Paul was then transferred to Cliftonville F.C...

 (News Editor NME) & Nadia Khomami (NME.com competition winner, Host: John O’Sullivan. Live: Drew McConnell

Drew McConnell

Drew McConnell is the bass guitarist and backing vocalist with Babyshambles, the band formed and fronted by frontman of The Libertines, Pete Doherty. He lived in Tenerife, Spain, for much of his childhood, and he speaks Spanish fluently...

 (Babyshambles/Helsinki).

Leeds Panel: Jon McClure

Jon McClure

Jon McClure, known as the Reverend, is lead singer and frontman of Reverend and The Makers and ex-vocalist of 1984 and Judan Suki. He claims that the name "Reverend" became his moniker because "I'm a big mouth and always running on at people"....

, Clint Boon

Clint Boon

Clint Boon is an English musician and DJ. Boon originally rose to notability as the keyboards player with Inspiral Carpets.-Career:...

 (Xfm Manchester), Carl Barat

Carl Barât

Carl Ashley Raphael Barât is an English musician, actor and author. He was the frontman and lead guitarist of Dirty Pretty Things, and recently debuted a solo album, but is best known for being the co-frontman with Peter Doherty of the garage rock band The Libertines.-Early life:Carl Barât was...

 (The Libertines), Jamie Fullerton (Assistant News Editor NME) & Lara Fudge (NME.com competition winner). Host: John O’Sullivan. Live: Kieran Leonard

Kieran Leonard

Kieran Leonard is a British singer-songwriter and musician of Irish descent, who performs as a solo artist and with his four piece band he refers to as 'The Horses'.He is particularly known for his poetical songwriting, and compelling live performances...

• "Is The Party Over?" @ Union Chapel April '10.

Panel: Rt Hon Harriet Harman

Harriet Harman

Harriet Ruth Harman QC is a British Labour Party politician, who is the Member of Parliament for Camberwell and Peckham, and was MP for the predecessorPeckham constituency from 1982 to 1997...

 MP, Peter Tatchell

Peter Tatchell

Peter Gary Tatchell is an Australian-born British political campaigner best known for his work with LGBT social movements...

, Simon Hughes

Simon Hughes

Simon Henry Ward Hughes is a British politician and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats. He is Member of Parliament for the constituency of Bermondsey and Old Southwark. Until 2008 he was President of the Liberal Democrats...

 MP, Justine Greening

Justine Greening

Justine Greening is a Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom. She has been the Member of Parliament for Putney since 2005. She was appointed Economic Secretary to the Treasury in May 2010, and became Secretary of State for Transport on 14 October 2011...

 MP. Chair: John O’Sullivan. Satire: Tommy and the Weeks. Live Music: Shlomo

Shlomo

Shlomo, meaning God's peace, is a common Hebrew male given name.It also means Hello in syriacThe following individuals are often referred to only by the name Shlomo:* Solomon* Shlomo...

 (Human Beatbox Artist), Rose Elinor Dougall

Rose Elinor Dougall

Rose Elinor Dougall is an English singer, songwriter and musician best known for being a member of The Pipettes and for performing with Mark Ronson. She currently also performs and records as a solo artist.-Career:...

 & Romeo Stodart (The Magic Numbers).

• "I Predict a Riot? How Will Music & Culture React to Cuts and Dole Queues?" @ Leeds & Reading August '10.

Leeds Panel: Jon McClure

Jon McClure

Jon McClure, known as the Reverend, is lead singer and frontman of Reverend and The Makers and ex-vocalist of 1984 and Judan Suki. He claims that the name "Reverend" became his moniker because "I'm a big mouth and always running on at people"....

, Ollie Steadman (Stornoway), Laura Snapes (Reviews Editor NME) & Emily Cotterill (NME.com competition winner). Host: John O’Sullivan. Live: The Violet May.

Reading Panel: Steve Lamacq

Steve Lamacq

Steve Lamacq , sometimes known by his nicknames Lammo or "The Cat" is an English disc jockey, currently working with the BBC radio stations BBC 6 Music and BBC Radio 2.-Early career:He was born in Basingstoke, Hampshire...

 (BBC6 presenter), Drew McConnell

Drew McConnell

Drew McConnell is the bass guitarist and backing vocalist with Babyshambles, the band formed and fronted by frontman of The Libertines, Pete Doherty. He lived in Tenerife, Spain, for much of his childhood, and he speaks Spanish fluently...

 (Babyshambles/Helsinki), Jon and Tracy Morter (RATM X-Mas No.1 Campaign), Paul Stokes

Paul Stokes

Paul Stokes is a former Irish footballer.A striker he made a League of Ireland scoring debut for Waterford United at Bray Wanderers on the 31st of October 1993. In total he scored 7 goals in 13 appearances for the Blues before moving to Newry Town.Paul was then transferred to Cliftonville F.C...

 (News Editor NME) & Rosie Balfour-Lynn (NME.com competition winner, Host: John O’Sullivan. Live: Kieran Leonard

Kieran Leonard

Kieran Leonard is a British singer-songwriter and musician of Irish descent, who performs as a solo artist and with his four piece band he refers to as 'The Horses'.He is particularly known for his poetical songwriting, and compelling live performances...

.

External links

• http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/features/politics-starts-at-home-for-new-wave-of-protest-singers-1520127.html
• http://www.nme.com/news/carl-barat/44923
• http://www.nme.com/news/get-cape-wear-cape-fly/43708