Tom Morello shares message for Tommy Robinson at Download 2026

At Download Festival 2026, Tom Morello took to the Opus Stage to deliver a scathing message to British far-right activist Tommy Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon. Morello, the guitarist of Rage Against The Machine and Audioslave, is no stranger to using his music as a vehicle for social justice. As he played a set of provocative songs, including 'Killing In The Name' and 'Soldier In The Army Of Love', he made a powerful statement by writing "FUCK TOMMY ROBINSON" in large letters on the back of his guitar. This bold move was captured by the big screens, sending a clear message to the crowd.

Morello's attack on Robinson is not an isolated incident. He has a history of clashing with right-wing British leaders, particularly Nigel Farage. In 2018, Rage Against The Machine criticized Farage for co-opting their name for his podcast 'Farage Against The Machine'. The band called him a "pissweasel" for peddling "inane, blame-heavy bullshit". Morello even went as far as to say he was open to giving Farage a "dry slap" if they encountered each other on the tube. This vendetta continued in 2019, when Morello taped a sign to the back of his guitar that read "FUCK FARAGE" at a show supporting Muse.

Morello's message at Download Festival was not just a personal attack on Robinson, but a call to action for the crowd. By playing songs like 'Killing In The Name' and 'Power To The People', he was reminding them of the power of music to spark social change. This is a theme that Morello has explored in his music and interviews. In 2024, he spoke to NME about the importance of using music as a tool for resistance. He listed his all-time favourite protest songs, including 'Imagine' by John Lennon and 'Biko' by Peter Gabriel.

Morello's message at Download Festival is also a precursor to his upcoming festival, Power To The People, which he is curating in October in Maryland. The festival promises to be a "non-partisan celebration of peace, justice, solidarity, music and community action", featuring performances by Bruce Springsteen, Foo Fighters, Joan Baez, and Serj Tankian. This festival is evidence of Morello's commitment to using his platform to promote positive change.

As Tom Morello continues to use his music as a vehicle for social justice, it's clear that he will not back down from confronting those who promote hate and intolerance. His message at Download Festival was a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up against toxic ideologies like Robinson's. With his upcoming festival and continued activism, it's clear that Morello will continue to be a voice for those seeking peace, justice, and solidarity.

As Morello takes the stage at Power To The People, one thing is certain: he will be using his music to spark change and promote a message of hope and resistance.