Fatboy Slim Played a Free Set Outside Brighton Station as Thousands Shut Down the Far Right
Brighton answered. Thousands of counter-protesters pack Queens Road on 13 June 2026 as the Carnival Against Fascism shuts down the far right. Signs, flags and solidarity as far as the eye can see. Photos: ImJustBrighton
Fatboy Slim played an impromptu free DJ set outside Brighton station on 13 June 2026 as thousands of counter-protesters shut down a far-right rally in the city centre
Norman Cook, known the world over as Fatboy Slim, showed up for his city on Saturday 13 June 2026. As the Carnival Against Fascism gathered on Queens Road to block a far-right march by South East Patriots, Brighton's most famous resident set up outside Brighton train station and played to the crowd. No stage. No production. No headline slot. Just Fatboy Slim and his city.
NME were among the first major outlets to cover the moment, describing it as an impromptu set at the anti-fascism counter-protest rally in his hometown. Brighton and Hove News confirmed he had been entertaining protesters outside the station. ImJustBrighton, Brighton's independent local media platform, was on the ground throughout the day and was among the first to document and share footage of the moment on social media, with the post reaching over 129,000 views and thousands of reactions within hours.
Brighton answered. 4,000 vs 300.
Sussex Police estimated around 300 people turned out for the South East Patriots Stop the Boats rally. Around 4,000 gathered for the Carnival Against Fascism. The counter-protesters outnumbered the far right by more than ten to one. Eight arrests were made throughout the day for public order offences, having a pyrotechnic and assaulting police. No serious injuries were reported.
In a final statement Sussex Police confirmed: "More than 4,000 people gathered today to protest in Brighton city centre. We had a large policing operation in place, working with our partners to facilitate peaceful and lawful protest and ensuring the safety of all those involved and the wider public."
Council Leader Councillor Bella Sankey had said in advance: "Don't come. Your message of hatred is not welcome here. Brighton and Hove is a proudly diverse city." She was right.
The streets of Brighton on 13 June 2026. A city that does not back down, does not look away and does not stay home when it matters. Photos: ImJustBrighton
A man who always shows up for Brighton
After the protest, Fatboy Slim posted on social media: "Never been more proud of my home town. More disco, less fascism." He also commented directly on ImJustBrighton's coverage saying: "So proud of our City today. No place for hate."
This was not a one-off moment. Norman Cook has spent decades showing up for Brighton in ways that go well beyond the stage. In 2002 he organised Big Beach Boutique II, a free concert on Brighton beach that drew an estimated 250,000 people, more than four times the expected number. Mixmag described it in 2022 as the largest outdoor party ever held in the UK. Cook has said the concert cemented his relationship with the city he loves.
In 2023 he played a surprise secret set at the Prince Albert pub on Trafalgar Street to support its campaign against property developers threatening its future. He performed at the Amex Stadium in May 2026. He is bringing Big Beach Boutique 7 to Brighton Beach across four nights on 16, 17, 18 and 19 July 2026. Phil Hartnoll from Orbital also pledged his support to the counter-protest. More than 280 local musicians had signed a pledge backing the Carnival Against Fascism ahead of the day.
More disco, less fascism
Today Fatboy Slim did not need a crowd of 250,000 or a stage on Brighton beach. He set up outside the station with his equipment and played for the people of his city as they stood against hate. That is who Norman Cook is. That is what Brighton is.
The story was picked up by NME, Brighton and Hove News and outlets across the music world within hours. ImJustBrighton was there first, on the ground, documenting everything as it happened.
For the full story of what happened in Brighton on 13 June 2026 read our full coverage of the Brighton protest on 13 June 2026. For all Brighton and Hove news follow ImJustBrighton.
Fatboy Slim on the decks. Brighton on the streets. The moment the music world, NME and thousands of people across the country stopped and took notice of this city. Photos: ImJustBrighton
ImJustBrighton was on the ground throughout 13 June 2026, documenting everything as it happened. For the full story of the day read our full coverage of the Brighton protest on 13 June 2026, including the eight arrests confirmed by Sussex Police, the fighting on Queens Road and how Brighton shut down the far right.
For more Brighton news, events, food, nightlife and everything happening in the city, visit our Brighton News section. For things to do this summer read our Brighton Events Guide 2026. For nightlife and music in the city read our Brighton Nightlife Guide 2026.
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