Bronski Beat share ‘Why?’ 40th anniversary short film: Watch

Bronski Beat have released a short documentary-style video to mark 40 years of their iconic track, ‘Why?’.

First appearing on the gay synth-pop outfit’s debut album ‘Age Of Consent’ in 1984, the newly released short film documents the socio-political context of LGBTQ resistance and liberation from which the track emerged, and its enduring significance today.

When the track was originally released in 1984, it was packaged with a music video that the band reportedly felt was at odds with its tone. Informed by the intolerance and dangers faced by the LGBTQ community at the time, and the community’s spirit of defiance against that, the track was intended as a protest anthem, and singer Jimmy Somerville wanted a video that reflected that.

Matt Lambert, who has directed the new short film, commented: “Jimmy wanted to commission me to make a project that spoke to the climate of LGBTQ+ rights today. I ended up exploring archives from past and present, material from my phone and friends — self shot material from the community — which became a documentary short film. We had access to Bronski Beat original stems to sculpt the timeless and still timely score to this film.”

A 40th anniversary edition of ‘The Age of Consent’ will be released tomorrow, 18th October, including previously released remixes of ‘Smalltown Boy’ by a ABSOLUTE. and Planningtorock, and a remix of ‘Why?’ by Neil Tennant and Superchumbo.

You can pre-order it via the Bronski Beat store.

Revisit DJ Mag’s celebration of ‘Smalltown Boy’ and its enduring legacy here.