Tribute to Colin Jerwood

I came to your music late but it made a momentous and lasting impact. The first time I saw Conflict (supporting Steve Ignorant's Feeding of the 5000 gig in London in 2007), I was hit by a juggernaut by the lyrical energy of the set. Since then I've been fortunate enough to see you with Conflict many more times. The last time was last year when my partner and I spoke to you afterwards, as we'd done a few times in recent years. You were so excited and proud of the (then, forthcoming) new album This Much remains. Your last gigs were incredible - your passion, conviction, anger for all the injustices and shit going on in the world was amplified by the fierce energy of the band lineup, Fi, Gav, Stu and Fran. I was mesmerised by each and every gig and you became a beacon in the dark for my own activism. I, like many, many others, am still struggling to process a world without you in it. A gaping hole remains. But, let that chasm be filled by all these voices that are remembering you, celebrating you, carrying on tiny acts of rebellion and defiance and activism, led by your voice and words that will never be erased. I was lucky to know you a little and cannot begin to fathom the deep loss felt by those closest to you. I give them all my love. Always yours.