History of Damon Albarn in Timeline
"Damon Albarn, an English singer and musician hailing from Whitechapel, London, is best known for his impactful contributions to the music world. He is recognized as the frontman and primary lyricist of the popular rock band Blur, and also for his role as the co-creator and main musical force behind the virtual band Gorillaz."
March 1968: Damon Albarn is Born
Damon Albarn was born in Whitechapel, London in March 1968. He is the eldest child of artist Keith Albarn and Hazel Albarn.
1968: Albarn's Early Life and Family Business
At six months old in 1968, Albarn participated in testing designs for children's educational aids and toys created by his father's company, "Keith Albarn & Partners Ltd.", operating under the trade name "Playlearn, Ltd." These designs included items like fibreglass furniture and play structures with imaginative names such as "The Kissmequiosk", "The Apollo Cumfycraft", and "The Tailendcharlie".
1971: Damon's Sister is Born
Damon's sister, Jessica, was born in 1971 and would also pursue a career as an artist.
December 1988: Formation of Seymour
Damon Albarn, Graham Coxon, and Dave Rowntree formed the band Circus. They were later joined by Alex James, and in December 1988, they changed their name to Seymour, drawing inspiration from J.D. Salinger's "Seymour: An Introduction".
March 1990: Signing with Food Records and Name Change to Blur
In March 1990, Seymour changed their name to Blur and signed with Food Records, marking the beginning of their journey as a band.
October 1990: Release of "She's So High"
Blur released their debut single, "She's So High," in October 1990, which reached number 48 on the UK Singles Chart.
1990: Albarn and Hewlett's First Meeting
Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett first crossed paths in 1990 when Hewlett, a comic artist known for his work on "Tank Girl," interviewed Blur for Deadline magazine.
1991: Release of Debut Album "Leisure"
Blur released their debut album, "Leisure," in 1991. It peaked at number seven on the UK Albums Chart but received mixed reviews. Albarn himself has since referred to the album as "awful".
1991: Relationship with Justine Frischmann
Damon Albarn began a relationship with Elastica's frontwoman, Justine Frischmann, in 1991. This relationship would go on to significantly influence his songwriting.
1992: Blur Tours the US
Blur embarked on a two-month tour of the United States in 1992 to try to recover financial losses. The experience left the band feeling homesick and dissatisfied, leading them to start writing songs with a more distinctly English feel.
May 1993: Release of "Modern Life Is Rubbish"
Blur released their second album, "Modern Life Is Rubbish," in May 1993. While it peaked at number 15 on the UK charts, it failed to make a significant impact in the United States.
1994: Release of "Parklife"
Blur released their breakthrough album, "Parklife," in 1994. The album, featuring the hit single "Girls & Boys," reached number one on the UK charts and established Blur as major players in the Britpop movement.
1994: Collaboration with Terry Hall Begins
Damon Albarn, having frequently cited Terry Hall as an early influence, began a collaborative musical relationship with the former Specials frontman in 1994. Their initial collaboration involved the EP "The Rainbows," with Albarn co-writing the lead track "Chasing A Rainbow."
September 1995: Release of "The Great Escape" and Blur's Decline in Popularity
In September 1995, Blur released "The Great Escape" to initial acclaim, reaching number one in the UK. However, the media quickly shifted its attention to Oasis, whose album "(What's the Story) Morning Glory?" was met with international success. Blur was subsequently perceived as an "inauthentic middle-class pop band" compared to the "working-class heroes" Oasis, leading to a decline in their popularity.
1995: Blur's Success and Britpop Rivalry
Blur won four awards at the 1995 Brit Awards, including Best British Group and British Album of the Year for "Parklife." This period marked their rise to fame and their rivalry with Oasis in the Britpop scene.
1995: Release of "The Great Escape" and "Country House"
Blur's fourth album, "The Great Escape," was released in 1995, featuring the single "Country House." This song became central to Blur's public rivalry with Oasis, as the two bands released singles on the same day in what was dubbed the "Battle of Britpop." "Country House" outsold Oasis's single, becoming Blur's first number-one single.
1996: Internal Tensions and Albarn's Trip to Iceland
Throughout 1996, tensions within Blur heightened, particularly with guitarist Graham Coxon's preference for lo-fi and alternative rock. This led to Albarn re-evaluating the band's direction. During this time, Albarn traveled to Iceland, inspired by a childhood dream of black sand beaches he saw on television.
February 1997: Release of "Blur" and International Success
February 1997 saw the release of Blur's fifth studio album, "Blur". Recorded in Iceland, the album marked a departure from their Britpop sound, incorporating lo-fi and experimental elements. Despite initial concerns, the album was well-received and topped the UK charts. The album also gained significant international recognition, particularly in the US, bolstered by the hit single "Song 2".
1997: "Beetlebum" Release and Inspiration
Blur released the song "Beetlebum" in 1997, a track inspired by Albarn's and Frischmann's experiences with heroin.
1997: Release of "Blur"
Blur released their self-titled fifth studio album, "Blur" in 1997.
1997: Laugh Album Collaboration
Damon Albarn and Terry Hall furthered their musical collaboration in 1997, co-writing two songs, "For The Girl" and "A Room Full Of Nothing," for Hall's second solo album, "Laugh." This collaboration demonstrated their shared musical sensibilities and continued exploration of songwriting.
1997: Acting Debut in "Face"
Damon Albarn made his acting debut in the film "Face" alongside Ray Winstone and Robert Carlyle in 1997.
1997: Albarn and Hewlett Become Flatmates
In 1997, Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett began sharing a flat on Westbourne Grove in London. Both were navigating personal breakups at the time, with Albarn ending his high-profile relationship with Justine Frischmann.
1998: Breakup with Justine Frischmann
Damon Albarn and Justine Frischmann ended their relationship in 1998. The breakup heavily influenced several songs on Blur's album "13," released the following year.
1998: Formation of Gorillaz
Damon Albarn and comic book artist Jamie Hewlett formed the virtual band Gorillaz in 1998.
1998: New Relationship and Fatherhood
Damon Albarn began a relationship with artist Suzi Winstanley in 1998.
1998: London Pride Recording
Damon Albarn collaborated with composer Michael Nyman in 1998 to record "London Pride" for the tribute album "Twentieth-Century Blues: The Songs of Noël Coward." The song, originally written by Noël Coward during the Blitz in 1941, reflects a patriotic sentiment.
1998: Radio Play Role
In 1998, Albarn played the character "Bull" in a Radio 4 play adaptation of Joe Orton's "Up Against It," originally written for the Beatles.
1998: Blur's Previous Glastonbury Performance
In 1998, Blur had previously headlined the Glastonbury Festival, a performance that became a significant moment in their career.
March 1999: Release of "13" and Albarn's Personal Lyrics
Released in March 1999, Blur's album "13" marked a further departure from their Britpop roots. Albarn's lyrics on this album were notably more personal and introspective, reflecting his breakup with Elastica frontwoman Justine Frischmann.
October 1999: Birth of Daughter, Missy
Damon Albarn and Suzi Winstanley welcomed their daughter, Missy, on October 2, 1999. Albarn has spoken about fatherhood as a profound experience.
1999: "13" Album Release
Blur's album "13" was released in 1999, featuring songs like "Tender" and "No Distance Left to Run," which reflected on the end of Albarn's relationship with Justine Frischmann.
1999: Film Soundtrack Contributions and Composition
Damon Albarn's song "Closet Romantic" was featured on the "Trainspotting" soundtrack, along with an early Blur recording of "Sing." He also composed the score for the film "Ravenous," collaborating with Michael Nyman and receiving a Saturn Award nomination for Best Music.
2000: Gorillaz Conceptualized
Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett conceived the idea for their virtual band, Gorillaz, in 2000. Inspired by their observation of MTV's content, they envisioned the band as a commentary on the lack of substance they perceived in the channel's programming.
2000: Contribution to Ordinary Decent Criminal and Mali Music Inspiration
Damon Albarn contributed to the soundtrack of the film "Ordinary Decent Criminal" in 2000. This year also marked the beginning of his musical exploration inspired by a trip to Mali in support of Oxfam.
November 2001: Anti-War Statement at MTV Europe Music Awards
At the MTV Europe Music Awards in November 2001, Damon Albarn wore a Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament T-shirt and spoke out against the bombing of Afghanistan, emphasizing the importance of using one's voice against injustice.
November 2001: Coxon's Departure and Recording of "Think Tank"
Blur began recording their next album in November 2001 in London. Shortly after, guitarist Graham Coxon left the band. Although the split was amicable, it significantly impacted Blur's sound.
2001: Release of Gorillaz's Debut Album
Gorillaz, the virtual band co-created by Damon Albarn, released their self-titled debut album in 2001, achieving global success.
2001: Gorillaz Debut Album Release and Success
In 2001, Gorillaz, the virtual band conceived by Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett, released their debut album. The album was a global hit, selling over seven million copies, propelled by popular tracks like "19-2000" and "Clint Eastwood". This success earned them recognition in the Guinness Book of World Records as the Most Successful Virtual Band.
2002: Anti-Iraq War Campaigning
Damon Albarn actively campaigned against the potential invasion of Iraq in 2002. He collaborated with others to organize campaigns and even purchased anti-war adverts in the NME.
2002: Mali Music Release
Damon Albarn released "Mali Music" in 2002, an album showcasing the musical experiences and collaborations from his transformative trip to Mali in 2000.
2002: Death of Damon's Grandfather
Damon Albarn's paternal grandfather, Edward Albarn, passed away in 2002.
February 2003: Emotional Response at Anti-War Protest
In February 2003, Damon Albarn was scheduled to speak at a massive anti-war protest in London's Hyde Park but became too emotional to deliver his speech. He later attributed this to thinking about his grandfather's pacifist beliefs and the significance of the event.
May 2003: Release of "Think Tank"
In May 2003, Blur released "Think Tank", their seventh studio album. Characterized by atmospheric, electronic sounds and Albarn's exploration of African and Middle Eastern music, the album achieved commercial success, reaching number one in the UK and receiving a Grammy nomination.
2003: Release of "Think Tank"
Blur released their seventh studio album, "Think Tank", in 2003.
2003: The Hour of Two Lights Collaboration
Continuing their musical partnership, Damon Albarn collaborated with Terry Hall and Mushtaq on the album "The Hour of Two Lights" in 2003. Albarn contributed vocals and co-wrote the track "Ten Eleven" for the album, which was released on Albarn's label, Honest Jon's Records, in the UK.
2003: Uncredited Vocal Contributions
Damon Albarn provided uncredited backing vocals for Nathan Haines' song "FM" and Massive Attack's song "Small Time Shot Away" in 2003. His contributions were attributed to Gorillaz frontman 2-D.
2003: Democrazy EP Release
Damon Albarn released "Democrazy," an EP comprising demos recorded during the United States leg of Blur's "Think Tank" tour, in 2003. This release provided a glimpse into his creative process and offered a more intimate collection of songs.
2003: Previous Studio Recording ("Think Tank")
In 2003, Blur had released their critically acclaimed album "Think Tank," which marked a significant departure in their sound.
2003: Collaborations and Guest Appearances
In 2003, Damon Albarn worked with The Strokes on their album "Room on Fire," providing backing vocals that were ultimately not included in the final release. He also performed "Fashion" live with David Bowie that same year.
2004: Brit Award Nomination
In 2004, Blur's "Think Tank" was nominated for best album at the Brit Awards, highlighting the album's critical acclaim.
2005: Criticism of Live 8 Concert and Eden Project Performance
Damon Albarn criticized the Live 8 concert for its lack of diversity, leading organizers to add a separate event at the Eden Project in Cornwall. He chose not to participate in Live 8, expressing concerns about exclusivity and potential self-promotion.
2005: Demon Days Release
Gorillaz's second studio album, "Demon Days," was released in 2005. The album featured hit singles such as "Feel Good Inc.", "Dare", "Dirty Harry", "Kids with Guns", and "El Mañana".
May 2006: The Good, the Bad & the Queen Formation and Album Announcement
In May 2006, NME reported that Damon Albarn was collaborating with Danger Mouse on a new project under the moniker The Good, the Bad & the Queen. This supergroup also featured Paul Simonon, Simon Tong, and Tony Allen, promising a unique blend of musical styles and influences.
October 2006: Herculean Release
The Good, the Bad & the Queen released their debut single, "Herculean," in late October 2006. The song marked the first official release from this collaborative project and hinted at the unique musical direction they were taking.
2006: Honorary Degree from University of East London
Damon Albarn received an honorary Master of Arts degree from the University of East London. He has a personal connection to the institution, as his father previously worked there.
2006: Grammy Award Recognition for Demon Days
In 2006, Gorillaz received five Grammy Award nominations for their album "Demon Days". They won one award in the category of Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.
January 2007: Kingdom of Doom and Debut Album Release
The Good, the Bad & the Queen released their second single, "Kingdom of Doom," followed by their self-titled debut album, in January 2007. The album received critical acclaim and achieved commercial success, reaching number two on the UK Albums Chart and achieving gold certification in its first week of release.
April 2007: Green Fields Release
"Green Fields," the third single from The Good, the Bad & the Queen's debut album, was released in April 2007. The song narrowly missed the UK Top 50, showcasing the band's continued musical exploration and experimentation.
June 2007: "Monkey: Journey to the West" Premiere
Damon Albarn and Jamie Hewlett collaborated with director Chen Shi-zheng on a stage adaptation of "Journey to the West," titled "Monkey: Journey to the West." The production premiered at the Manchester International Festival on June 28, 2007.
2007: Combined Sales Milestone
By 2007, the combined album sales of Gorillaz's debut album and "Demon Days" surpassed 15 million copies, demonstrating the band's continued success.
2007: Voice Acting in "Anna and the Moods"
Damon Albarn lent his voice to the animated film "Anna and the Moods," directed by Gunar Karlsson and featuring Terry Jones and Björk, in 2007.
2007: Best Album Award at the MOJO Awards
The Good, the Bad & the Queen's self-titled debut album won the prestigious Best Album award at the 2007 MOJO Awards, recognizing its critical acclaim and impact on the music scene.
April 2008: Love Music Hate Racism Carnival Performance
On April 27, 2008, The Good, the Bad & the Queen headlined the Love Music Hate Racism Carnival in Victoria Park, London. Their performance included guest appearances, notably ex-Specials keyboardist Jerry Dammers, adding to the event's significance and showcasing their commitment to combating racism through music.
December 2008: Blur Announces Reunion Concert
In December 2008, Blur announced their highly anticipated reunion, with a concert scheduled for July 2009 at London's Hyde Park. The announcement generated considerable excitement among fans.
2008: Composition of "Monkey: Journey to the West"
Damon Albarn composed the score for the stage production "Monkey: Journey to the West", which premiered in 2008.
2008: Damon Albarn Named One of the Most Powerful People in British Culture
The Daily Telegraph named Damon Albarn the 18th most powerful person in British culture in 2008.
June 2009: Release of "Midlife: A Beginner's Guide to Blur" and Albarn's Statements on Future Plans
Blur released their second greatest hits collection, "Midlife: A Beginner's Guide to Blur", in June 2009. Following their reunion, Albarn stated that the band had no immediate plans for further recording or touring, citing the emotional toll and a desire to focus on other projects.
July 2009: Blur Reunion Concerts at Hyde Park and Critical Acclaim
Blur performed two highly praised reunion concerts in July 2009 at London's Hyde Park. Critics lauded their performances, noting their musical growth and maturity.
January 2010: Release of "No Distance Left to Run" Documentary and Grammy Nomination
January 2010 saw the release of "No Distance Left to Run", a documentary chronicling the band's career. The film was well-received and later nominated for a Grammy Award in the Best Long Form Music Video category, marking Blur's first-ever Grammy nomination.
April 2010: Release of "Fool's Day"
In April 2010, Blur surprised fans with "Fool's Day," their first new track since 2003's "Think Tank". Released as a limited-edition vinyl single for Record Store Day, the song was later offered as a free download on the band's website.
December 2010: The Fall Release
In December 2010, Gorillaz released their experimental album "The Fall". The unique aspect of this album was its creation process: it was recorded over a span of 32 days during the band's North American tour.
2010: Collaboration with Massive Attack
In 2010, Albarn collaborated with Massive Attack on their album "Heligoland," contributing vocals to the track "Saturday Come Slow" and keyboards to "Splitting the Atom."
2010: Concerts Cancelled in Israel
In 2010, Damon Albarn cancelled concerts in Israel following the Gaza flotilla raid, demonstrating his support for Palestinian rights.
October 2011: First Performance as Another Honest Jon's Chop Up!
Damon Albarn's side-project, Rocket Juice & the Moon, featuring Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea and Afrobeat legend Tony Allen, performed live for the first time on October 28, 2011, in Cork, Ireland. They appeared under the name Another Honest Jon's Chop Up! at the Cork Jazz Festival.
2011: Film Score for "The Boy in the Oak"
Damon Albarn composed the score for the film adaptation of "The Boy in the Oak," a book written by his sister, Jessica Albarn. The film was released in select theatres in the spring of 2011.
2011: "Doctor Dee" Opera Debut
Damon Albarn teamed up with theatre director Rufus Norris to create the opera "Doctor Dee." The opera, based on the life of John Dee, premiered at the Manchester International Festival in 2011.
2011: Kinshasa One Two Release
In 2011, Damon Albarn released "Kinshasa One Two," an album recorded in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. This collaborative project, featuring producers like Dan the Automator and Richard Russell, aimed to benefit Oxfam's work in the region. The album's proceeds were donated to support Oxfam's initiatives in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
February 2012: Outstanding Contribution to Music Award at the Brit Awards and New Track Premiere
Blur received the Outstanding Contribution to Music award at the 2012 Brit Awards, recognizing their lasting impact on the music industry. That same month, Albarn and Coxon performed their new song "Under the Westway" live for the first time.
March 2012: Debut Album Release
Rocket Juice & the Moon released their self-titled debut album on March 26, 2012. The album showcased the trio's unique musical chemistry, blending elements of funk, Afrobeat, and experimental rock.
2012: Composition of "Dr Dee"
Damon Albarn composed the score for the stage production "Dr Dee", which premiered in 2012.
2012: Production and Performance with Bobby Womack
Damon Albarn produced Bobby Womack's album "The Bravest Man in the Universe," released in 2012. He also performed with Womack on Jools Holland's Hootenanny on New Year's Eve that year.
2012: Future of Gorillaz Uncertain
In a 2012 interview, Damon Albarn expressed doubts about the future of Gorillaz. Citing a strained relationship with Jamie Hewlett stemming from creative differences during the "Escape to Plastic Beach World Tour," Albarn suggested that further collaborations were unlikely. However, he later hinted at a potential reconciliation and future projects.
2013: Glastonbury Festival Performance with Bobby Womack
Damon Albarn joined Bobby Womack on stage at the Glastonbury Festival in 2013.
2013: Maison Des Jeunes Release
Damon Albarn's project Africa Express released the album "Maison Des Jeunes" in 2013, continuing his exploration of cross-cultural musical collaborations and showcasing his commitment to bridging musical worlds.
2013: Charity Performance with Former Rivals
In 2013, Damon Albarn and Graham Coxon of Blur set aside their rivalry with Noel Gallagher of Oasis and Paul Weller of The Jam to perform "Tender" for the Teenage Cancer Trust.
2013: Solo Album and Tour Announcement
In a 2013 interview with Rolling Stone, Damon Albarn revealed his plans for a solo album produced by XL Recordings' Richard Russell. He also expressed his intention to embark on a tour, performing songs from his diverse musical projects, including Blur and Gorillaz.
April 2014: Everyday Robots Release
Damon Albarn's debut solo album, "Everyday Robots," was released on April 25, 2014, to generally positive reviews. The album, a more personal and introspective work, reached number 2 on the UK charts and garnered a nomination for the prestigious Mercury Prize.
2014: Collaboration on Tony Allen's Albums
Damon Albarn furthered his musical partnership with Tony Allen in 2014 by appearing on the song "Go Back" from Allen's albums "Film of Life" and "The Source". This collaboration solidified their shared musical journey and showcased their enduring creative connection.
2014: Release of "Everyday Robots"
Damon Albarn released his debut solo album, "Everyday Robots", in 2014.
2014: Performance at Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East Gala Dinner
Damon Albarn showed his continued support for Palestine by playing a concert at the Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East Gala Dinner in 2014.
2014: Contribution to "Lucy" Soundtrack
Damon Albarn's song "Sister Rust" was included on the soundtrack of the science fiction film "Lucy" in 2014.
February 2015: Announcement of New Album "The Magic Whip"
In February 2015, Blur announced their eighth studio album, "The Magic Whip", set for release in April of the same year. This marked their first album in 12 years and their first with the original lineup in 16 years, generating significant anticipation among fans.
June 2015: "Wonder.land" Musical Premiere
The musical "Wonder.land," with music by Damon Albarn and contributions from Rufus Norris and Moira Buffini, premiered at the Manchester International Festival on June 29, 2015.
2015: Release of "The Magic Whip"
Blur released their eighth studio album, "The Magic Whip", in 2015, marking their first studio album in 12 years.
2016: Composition of "Wonder.land"
Damon Albarn composed the score for the stage production "Wonder.land", which premiered in 2016.
2016: Ivor Novello Award and OBE
Damon Albarn received the Ivor Novello Award for Lifetime Achievement and was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) for his contributions to music in 2016.
2016: Collaboration with De La Soul
Damon Albarn reunited with De La Soul in 2016, contributing vocals to the song "Here in After" from their album "And the Anonymous Nobody..." This marked their fourth collaboration, following previous work on Gorillaz' albums.
2016: Honored in Mali
Damon Albarn's long-standing appreciation for the music of Mali was acknowledged when he was named "Local King" and a music and dance school was named in his honor south of Bamako.
March 2017: Humanz Announcement
On March 23, 2017, the much-anticipated fifth Gorillaz studio album, "Humanz," was officially announced.
April 2017: Humanz Release
Gorillaz released their fifth studio album, "Humanz," worldwide on April 28, 2017, marking their return to the music scene after a period of uncertainty about the band's future.
2017: Collaboration with Mura Masa
In 2017, Albarn collaborated with Alex Crossan, known as Mura Masa, on the track "Blu," featured on Mura Masa's debut album.
May 2018: The Now Now Announcement
Continuing their renewed creative momentum, Gorillaz announced their sixth studio album, "The Now Now," on May 31, 2018.
June 2018: The Now Now Release
"The Now Now," Gorillaz's sixth studio album, was released on June 29, 2018, showcasing their prolific output and evolving sound.
2018: Brexit Criticism and "Merrie Land" Inspiration
A vocal critic of Brexit, Damon Albarn has described it as nonsensical. He signed a 2018 editorial calling for a "Citizen's Assembly" to address the parliamentary impasse on withdrawal terms. His album with The Good, the Bad & the Queen, "Merrie Land," was inspired by Brexit.
October 2020: Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez Release
Gorillaz released their seventh studio album, "Song Machine, Season One: Strange Timez," on October 23, 2020. This album compiled tracks from their innovative "Song Machine" project, which involved releasing new songs as monthly "episodes" featuring various collaborations.
2020: Icelandic Citizenship Granted
Damon Albarn was granted Icelandic citizenship in 2020.
June 2021: Signing with Transgressive Records and The Nearer the Fountain Announcement
In June 2021, Damon Albarn announced his signing with Transgressive Records for the release of his second solo album. The album's title, "The Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows," and its release date of November 12 were also unveiled, along with the release of the title track.
2021: Release of "The Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows"
Damon Albarn released his second solo album, "The Nearer the Fountain, More Pure the Stream Flows", in 2021.
August 2022: Cracker Island Announcement
On August 31, 2022, Gorillaz announced their eighth studio album, "Cracker Island," signaling a continuation of their musical journey.
February 2023: Cracker Island Release
Gorillaz released "Cracker Island," their eighth studio album, on February 24, 2023, solidifying their presence as a significant force in contemporary music.
2023: Release of "The Ballad of Darren"
Blur released their ninth studio album, "The Ballad of Darren", in 2023.
2023: Speculated Separation and Album Release
Speculation arose about a separation between Damon Albarn and Suzi Winstanley in 2023, fueled by lyrics on Blur's album "The Ballad of Darren." Albarn has not confirmed the separation but has hinted at a recent difficult breakup.
2024: Pro-Palestine Speech at Glastonbury Festival
During Glastonbury Festival 2024, Damon Albarn made a speech where he called the Israel–Hamas war an "unfair war" and encouraged attendees to vote in the upcoming UK general election.
