Jacob Alon has told NME about their determination to stand up against injustice, and said that they will always use their platform “in the most benevolent way” possible.
The Scottish singer-songwriter – who recently took home the Critic’s Choice Award at the 2026 BRITs – caught up with us backstage at the Trans Mission show in London on Wednesday (March 11).
Organised by Olly Alexander and Mighty Hoopla’s Glyn Fussell, the event came as a night of solidarity for the trans community, and raised both awareness and funds for non-profit organisations Good Law Project and Not A Phase.
Alon appeared as part of the star-studded line-up, which included Wolf Alice, Beth Ditto, Sugababes, Adam Lambert, Beverley Knight, HAAi, Kae Tempest, Kate Nash, MNEK, Romy, Sophie Ellis-Bextor – and took to the stage in a collaboration with Jasmine.4.T.
The night also saw guest appearances from Sir Ian McKellen, Jordan Stephens, Munroe Bergdorf, Nicola Coughlan, Russell Tovey, Tia Kofi, Green Party leader Zack Polanski and more.
Ahead of their performance, Alon spoke to NME backstage, and praised Olly Alexander and co for creating “an event of hope for a community that is being oppressed and scapegoated by people that want to distract everyone from the real problems in society”.
“This is a moment of power,” they added. “It’s a moment of resistance and love, and music is so vital to bring hope and love when it’s needed the most. So I’m really honoured to have been a small part of that.”
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We also asked Alon why they are so determined use their platform to stand up for what they believe in – including the recent appearance at the BRITs, where they held up a keffiyeh (a Middle Eastern scarf that has been adopted as a symbol of Palestinian solidarity) during Sharon Osbourne’s speech, seemingly in defiance to her support of Israel.
“It’s an artist’s duty to reflect the world around them. At least to me, if I’ve got any platform at all, I’m going to use it in the most benevolent way I can,” Alon explained. “There comes a point sometimes where you’ve got to have an active resistance.
“You can’t just sit idly and maintain the status quo. You’ve got to have a fight. All of us have got a voice. It doesn’t matter how big or small you feel it is, it’s worth using it. I’ll continue to try and do that as much as I can.”
Speaking about the role of politics in their art, Alon told us: “As queer people, we don’t have a choice. It’s who we are.
“We grew up in a world that we don’t fit into very easily, and some people have the privilege of turning on and off their state of activism. We don’t. Our mere existence threatens the foundations made by people who want to maintain a system that dominates and controls,” they added. “I won’t live in that world. I believe in a better world. So come on, let’s fight for it.”
The folk star also shared a message of support for those who support trans rights, but feel hesitant to speak out in fear of backlash. “I definitely understand how you feel. I have believed in many causes and felt scared to speak out, but I think real bravery is when you feel scared, but you do it anyway,” they said.
“It’s important to think about what you’re fighting for, and think about those who might not have the choice whether they can fight or not. All of us have an element of privilege, so it’s important that we take stock of that and use it to do some good.”
The appearance at the Trans Mission show came following Alon sharing their critically acclaimed debut album, ‘In Limerence’ last year – which also saw them nominated for the Mercury Prize.
Speaking to us at the BRITs last month, Alon looked back at the huge wave of praise for the record, and revealed that they were already working on new material.
“I couldn’t have possibly thought that it would take me on this journey… I’ve connected with so many people that have changed my life in reflection,” they said.
“Now, going into making something new, it’s already different. It’s a different place to create from because now I know what’s out there. I’m trying not to let it get in the way of what I know, but it’s shown me that music is important and it can make a difference.”
As well as the musical performances at Trans Mission, there were also powerful moments from guest speakers, including from Sir Ian McKellen took to the stage to recite Shakespeare’s politically-charged The Strangers’ Case speech – the same that he shared in his appearance on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.
Green Party leader Zack Polanski also spoke about the importance of “standing together” in the face of oppression, while Caroline Litman – the author of Her Name Is Alice, a book about her transgender daughter who took her own life – made a moving speech.
Check out more images, footage, and quotes from the night in NME’s full report, here.
