Institute of Contemporary Music: Long Play Sessions
February 12 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
The Long Play Sessions : Daniel Rachel with This Ain’t rock and Roll
Date & Time: 12th February, 7:00 PM onwards
Venue: ICMP Queen’s Park Campus
Open to: ICMP students, staff and the general public
Join us for an exclusive evening with award-winning author Daniel Rachel as he discusses his groundbreaking new book, This Ain’t Rock ’n’ Roll: Pop Music, the Swastika and the Third Reich. This compelling work delves into the complex and often troubling relationship between popular music and fascist imagery, tracing seven decades of rock and pop’s fascination with the aesthetics and ideology of the Third Reich.
With an introduction by Billy Bragg, Rachel’s book asks urgent questions about accountability, cultural memory, and the legacy of music icons who flirted with Nazi symbolism—from punk provocateurs to rock legends. It’s a thought-provoking exploration of art, rebellion, and responsibility in the face of history’s darkest chapters.
What to Expect:
- A captivating talk by Daniel Rachel on the themes and stories behind the book
- Interactive Q&A session
- Book signing opportunity—bring your copy or purchase one at the event
Don’t miss this chance to engage with one of Britain’s most acclaimed music historians and gain fresh insight into the intersections of music, politics, and culture.
Location
The Venue and Refectory, ICMP (Queens Park Campus), NW6 6PA
ICMP is delighted to announce a new event series with music writers visiting our campus to share the stories behind their books, insights and music industry experiences with students.
The Long Play Sessions will be held at ICMP’s Queen’s Park campus and begin on 12th February with writer Daniel Rachel visiting to discuss his book, ‘This Ain’t Rock’n’Roll – Pop Music, the Swastika and The Third Reich’.
Other authors already confirmed for our 2026 events include Debsey Wykes, Keith Cameron, Huey Morgan and Will Hodgkinson, the writer behind the acclaimed, ‘Street Level Superstar – a Year with Lawrence’.
The Long Play Sessions launched in 2025 with an inaugural event featuring music journalist Miranda Sawyer, who discussed her book ‘Uncommon People: Britpop and Beyond in 20 Songs‘.
Ace, Head of Industry and Brand Partnerships at ICMP, said: “The Long Play Sessions is a fantastic event series and we’re thrilled to welcome these literary talents to ICMP to talk about their brilliant books.”
There’s an increasingly exciting array of books, authors and writers out there exploring stories within contemporary music and beyond. We’re looking forward to many of them visiting ICMP to share their stories.”
All events will start at 7pm and are held at our Queen’s Park campus in London. The Long Play Sessions are open to the public for a small fee and are free to ICMP students.
UPCOMING EVENTS