30 Years Of La Haine At London’s Royal Festival Hall With Asian Dub Foundation’s Live Soundtrack

by | Jan 29, 2025

This performance is part of the 30th anniversary celebrations of La Haine the 1995 Cannes winner of Best Director for Matthieu Kassovitz, as well as winning three Cesars including for best film. For this showing, Asian Dub Foundation performed a live soundtrack as a trio of Steve Chandra Savale, Jamil Ahmed and Brian Fairbairn. The film was shot in colour and then edited and printed in grainy black & white to give it more impact. In order to get the co-operation of the residents of the banlieue La Haine was filmed on the cast and crew lived on location for 6 weeks.

Asian Dub Foundation were playing beneath a huge screen, facing the audience rather than the screen. At times it was hard not to watch the band rather than the film, for the opening scenes they played some moody drum & bass (reminiscing of Th9 on their first album) which as the opening riot scenes unfolded, had some Chandrasonic guitars accentuating the violence caused by the police shooting a resident of a banlieue in the head while interrogating them in custody. This was based on a true incident two years before and La Haine mirrored the simmering tensions in France at the time, soon becoming the first film of its kind, openly talking about structural racism and police brutality.

Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro

Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro

As the three central characters the film is based around : the angry young Jewish skinhead Vinz played by Vincent Cassel, his muslim North African friend Said played by Said Taghmaoui and the brilliant Afro-Caribbean friend Hubert played by Hubert Kounde, take us on a journey into the Banlieue’s on the point of collapse, rioting has erupted and the local disaffected youth are battling the police.

For the first scenes of them rolling spliffs, the music became deeply dubby, with the sharp conversations, they go around the estate seeing all the damage, going to hang out on the roof to eat merguez, the arguments have a funky flavour to them, the futility of the police attitude towards the poor inhabitants is distressing to watch now, as it was when I first saw this film way back when. Senseless hate instead of finding ways to make living on the estates a happier experience.

Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro

Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro

They are in Hubert’s burnt out destroyed boxing gym discussing how the burnt-out car got there, over some very Indian blues over a dark bassline, who stole the cops gun, screams the wailing synth affected guitar lines, could it be Vinz trying to prove a point once more? The music was powerful in different ways to the original soundtrack. When they then go in search of some debt collection and have a weird toilet scene that’s broken up by an old Russian guy coming out of a loo to tell them what it was like to be sent to Siberia to their utter consternation, highlighted by fraught drumming, it stands it illustrate no matter how bad the problems they were fighting, others had it worse, even if that is a message seemingly lost on them, no matter how often it’s brought up later in the film.

They argue with the racist police going into downtown Paris to collect the money owing to Said, from the campest character in the film, who may or may not have been someone Said rented himself too. They get into another fracas with the police on leaving his apartment, Said and Hubert being arrested as Vinz does a bunk, the music got a lot more angsty, with Steve firing off all sorts of effects. Getting out of the nick and back to the mean decaying streets is no relief, even if the inherent humour is never far from the banter, they share with everyone they come in contact with, no matter how scary the guitar and bass sound. They get released in time to miss the last train back to the banlieue reuniting with Vinz the trio gatecrash an art opening, enjoying the free bar and food, before failing to have the social graces for the situation and getting thrown out.

They try to get back home things take once last super dark twist against a maelstrom of noise the very unhappy ending plays out. Asian Dub Foundation then freaked out a bit over the end credits and played an outro coda to allow the audience to give them the standing ovation they deserved at the end of a thrilling viewing of this french classic. As La Haine so beautifully says it… The important isn’t the fall, it’s the landing. And Asian Dub Foundation understood the assignment.

  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
    Asian Dub Foundation, live soundtrack of La Haine, Royal Festival Hall, London - 2025.01.19, © Pauline Di Silvestro
  • Asian Dub Foundation @ The Hootananny
    Asian Dub Foundation @ The Hootananny
  • Asian Dub Foundation @ The Hootananny
    Asian Dub Foundation @ The Hootananny
  • Asian Dub Foundation @ The Hootananny
    Asian Dub Foundation @ The Hootananny
  • Asian Dub Foundation @ The Hootananny
    Asian Dub Foundation @ The Hootananny

Live review of Asian Dub Foundation at The Royal Festival Hall, London on 19th January 2025 by Simon Phillips, photography by Pauline Di Silvestro.

“Weekend Energy On A Tuesday Night”: Vampire Weekend’s Return To The O2 Academy Brixton

Henge performing at The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea

Henge Bring Psychedelic Rock From Parts Unknown To Portsmouth’s Wedgewood Rooms

Recently, the dirty deeds of squillionaires running their private space tourism businesses, and the world laughing at...
Yungblud (Tom Pallant)

YUNGBLUD Announces Bold Fourth Studio Album ‘Idols’

British rock trailblazer Dominic Harrison – AKA YUNGBLUD – has officially announced his highly anticipated fourth...
REEF (Press)

REEF Celebrate 30 Years Of ‘Replenish’ With UK Anniversary Tour

In a year packed with big anniversaries and nostalgic reunions, one of Britain’s most beloved rock acts is marking a...
Wolf Alice (Press)

Wolf Alice Return With Euphoric New Single ‘Bloom Baby Bloom’

London’s genre-defying quartet Wolf Alice have returned in full bloom with their new single, Bloom Baby Bloom—a vibrant, effervescent track that signals a fresh chapter for one of Britain’s most dynamic modern rock bands. Released after a period of relative silence since their Mercury Prize-winning 2021 album Blue Weekend, the single has sent ripples through the alternative scene, sparking excitement about what might be next for the group.

Pet Needs (Vanessa Söllner)

Pet Needs Are Primetime Entertainment At The Old Church

It’s lunchtime in sunny Stoke Newington, the part of London that really feels like a village. Most of the crowd lined up outside the historic Old Church are making this the first stop on their weekend, and as they mingle among the old tombstones with beers in hand, the anticipation is fizzing in the air. For the fourth year in a row, Pet Needs are about to kick off their Fractured Party weekender, and we’ve so far beyond ready for it.

Alice Phoebe Lou @ Roundhouse (Sam Eve)

Alice Phoebe Lou Enchants London At The Roundhouse

On Friday, 2nd May, 2025, the Roundhouse in London played host to a spellbinding performance by South African-born...
Lizzie Esau @ The Grace (Kalpesh Patel

Lizzie Esau Unleashes Explosive New Single ‘Bugs’ — A Dark, Defiant Step Forward From A Rockshot Favourite

Rockshot Magazine favourite Lizzie Esau continues her rapid ascent through the UK’s alt-rock landscape with the release of her most accomplished single to date, Bugs. A darkly euphoric track filled with emotional grit and lyrical nuance, Bugs sees the 25-year-old Newcastle native confront the chaos of creative self-doubt with ferocity — and catharsis.

EMMMA (João Viegas)

EMMMA Finds Power In Heartache With Stirring New Single ‘Wednesday’s Child’

EMMMA is no stranger to vulnerability — but with her latest single, Wednesday’s Child, the rising UK-based alt-pop artist turns raw emotion into a seismic act of self-empowerment. Released as the next step toward her second EP, the track is a defining moment in her artistic evolution: darker, bolder, and more emotionally fearless than anything she’s released before.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing