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Benefit Gigs for the Miners
Simon Phillips, Newport
Twenty-five years ago, the benefit shows that happened across South Wales saw hundreds of artists and bands step up and support the miners' cause, putting food and money in the hands of affected families, so they could carry on with the fight. In the Newport area, ex-gig promoter and music shop owner Simon Phillips and his colleagues put on over 200 shows during the course of the strike in '84-'85.
One of his earliest benefits was headlined by Billy Bragg, fresh from a number one album in the indie charts and with a social and political fire to assist where he could.
