Row over classical music being 'weaponised' to disperse youths

Row over anti-yob speakers blaring out 'weaponised' music2 hours agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleMarc WaddingtonNorth WestClassical music to drive away troublemakersIt may be world famous as a city of music, but music is now being used in Liverpool as an unlikely weapon in the fight against troublemakers. Classical arrangements have been loudly pumping out of speakers on lampposts in Liverpool's Whitechapel area. The BBC has learned that both Merseyside Police and Liverpool City Council are behind the tactic, which they said was "an effective tool" in breaking up groups of youths and "preventing anti-social behaviour". But classically trained musicians in the city said they were angry that it was being "weaponised" against young people, reinforcing stereotypes of it being elitist and exclusive. And they point to the fact that Liverpool City Council puts funding into the Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, which runs outreach projects that "use orchestral music making to improve the life chances of children by increasing confidence, well-being, skills and resilience".Laura MacmillanClassical musician Laura Macmillan said she was incensed classical music was being "weaponised" against young peopleLaura Macmillan, a conservatoire-trained violinist who now plays in the Liverpool band Ian Prowse and Amsterdam, said: "It makes me feel really angry as a classical musician who, as someone from a working class background, was made to feel that I wasn't good enough to play that kind of music."There's always been this stereotype that classical music is for people who have lots of money and is too complicated for some people, and to weaponise it like this is appalling."Macmillan, 36, added: "If you wanted to get rid of groups of young people, play something from K-Pop Demon Hunters, because no-one over the age of about seven wants to hear that song Golden anymore."Some trader...