A huge crowd of fans have gathered in Braintree, Essex for the funeral procession
Fans are lining the streets in Essex to pay tribute to the late Prodigy frontman Keith Flint, who died earlier this month.
They wrote: “Fans are invited to line the procession route, starting at 3pm in Braintree, Essex on Fri 29th March, to pay their final respects & ‘raise the roof’ for Keef!” You can see details of the route here:
Fans are invited to line the procession route, starting at 3pm in Braintree, Essex on Fri 29th March, to pay their final respects & 'raise the roof' for Keef!
If anyone wishes to lay flowers or tributes these should be sent to St Mary's church in Bocking, no later than 2pm Friday pic.twitter.com/cMTDv2jKi9— The Prodigy (@the_prodigy) March 23, 2019
Flint died earlier this month (March 4) at his Essex home, with an inquest later stating that he had taken his own life. He was 49.
“It is with deepest shock and sadness that we can confirm the death of our brother and best friend Keith Flint,” said surviving Prodigy members Liam Howlett and Maxim Reality in a statement after he died. “A true pioneer, innovator and legend. He will be forever missed. We thank you for respecting the privacy of all concerned at this time.”
In an Instagram post, Howlett added: “The news is true. I can’t believe I’m saying this but our brother Keith took his own life over the weekend…I’m shell shocked, fuckin angry, confused and heart broken.”
A huge number of fans have gathered on the streets of Essex to honour the frontman, with many playing dance music in Flint’s honour. You can see some images fans have posted below:
BBC Essex "
Dance music plays out across the crowds of #Prodigy fans gathering outside St Mary's Church in Bocking near Braintree.
They've come to honour frontman #KeithFlint whose funeral will take place at 4pm following a street procession which… pic.twitter.com/QEQbF1uqYh"
— Total Essex (@TotalEssex) March 29, 2019
Wow what a mixture of emotions here at #KeithFlint @the_prodigy procession. So much love and dedication to Keith and his music, I feel privileged to be a part of it here today. #Music #OnceARaverAlwaysARaver #Braintree pic.twitter.com/LTBfMKbEYB
— Vicky Carter (@vickyecarter) March 29, 2019
On the way to Bocking to cover Keith Flint’s funeral for @NME. Train from Liverpool Street is full of Prodigy fans decked out in t-shirts, a few with hairstyles to rival Keith’s. It’s definitely going to be the celebration he deserves
.
— Nick Reilly (@NickJWReilly) March 29, 2019
Fans line streets for funeral of Prodigy star Keith Flint https://t.co/wSowzikLR2 pic.twitter.com/ufeCeO3WBn
— Independent.ie (@Independent_ie) March 29, 2019
Braintree raising the roof for Keef.
Rest in Noise#prodigy #KeithFlint pic.twitter.com/RIuJ9N4SKa
— Neil Brooks (@hatterneil) March 29, 2019
Keith Flint’s fans always said that his funeral would be a celebration, and this guy is the very proof of that
. pic.twitter.com/YfOJTgIXUP
— NME (@NME) March 29, 2019
In Braintree for the send off/celebration for the legend #KeithFlint sad sad day but incredible crowd gathering. #prodigy 4 ever pic.twitter.com/bDpvvIlFG3
— Samantha Seager (@SamanthaSeager1) March 29, 2019
Lively atmosphere in #Braintree. Keith Flint will be badly missed. #Prodigy #Legend #Firestarter pic.twitter.com/5OCSJxd8Vq
— Gerrard SolomonJFT96 (@PaulTreacyLFC) March 29, 2019
Keith Flint funeral – The Prodigy fans from across Europe line Essex streets to ‘raise the roof’ for music legend https://t.co/l9okTuQcDd pic.twitter.com/YuGhfIkEzl
— The Stars Post (@TheStarsPost2) March 29, 2019
Sharing this lovely floral tribute to Keith Flint on the day of his funeral #celebrantsrock #givingpeoplechoice pic.twitter.com/XCsdKw4vZ5
— KarenDPhillips (@mrspcelebrant) March 29, 2019
BBC Essex "The crowds outside St Mary's Church are growing ever larger as #Prodigy frontman #KeithFlint's funeral approaches later this afternoon.
They've lucked out with the weather too: currently 14 degrees and beaming sunshine in Braintree
pic.twitter.com/nMMqsYoePt"
— Total Essex (@TotalEssex) March 29, 2019
Some schools in the area have closed and Essex Police have asked drivers to avoid the area and find alternative routes wherever possible due to the large numbers of fans in attendance.
Essex Police have also asked for fans and members of the public to respect the privacy of Flint’s family and loved ones on this difficult day. Fans will be able to hear the service which is being relayed from St Mary’s Church, Bocking, to well-wishers outside.
For help and advice on mental health:
- ‘Am I depressed?‘ – Help and advice on mental health and what to do next
- Help Musicians UK – Around the clock mental health support and advice for musicians
- Music Support Org – Help and support for musicians struggling with alcoholism, addiction, or mental health issues
- YOUNG MINDS – The voice for young people’s health and wellbeing
- CALM – The Campaign Against Living Miserably for young men
- Time To Change – Let’s end mental health discrimination
- The Samaritans – Confidential support 24 hours a day
This is a developing story
The post Thousands line Essex streets in tribute to Keith Flint ahead of funeral procession appeared first on NME.