British Ska
Two-tone or British Ska music arrived in Britain in the late 70s; it originated in the midlands, particularly Coventry, with bands like The Specials at the helm. The genre combined Jamaican ska, rocksteady and reggae with punk, with the social and political issues of the day.
Fuelled by the energy of punk and reggae with an already-established audience, the once-local scene soon became a national movement. A movement that echoed the social and political messages and musical styles from the preceding decade of soundsystem culture.
Ska was popular among skinheads, old school rudies like Prince Buster and some mod revivalists.
The embrace of the distinctive Jamaican ‘rude boy’ style with the bands dressed in sharp mohair two-tone suits, hence, the title of the movement, and the adoption of a black and white checkerboard motif, created an iconic visual aesthetic.
Amongst the few females involved, Pauline Black and Rhoda Dakar are still active today.
The ska revival was a brief but significant youth movement that saw young British ska fans propel a new sound into the charts. Their choice of acts ranged from The Specials, with songs, such as "Gangsters" Ghost Town, "Rudi don't fear", The Selecter, "On My Radio"...
...Madness "My Girl", Must Be Love", "One Step Beyond" and "Baggy Trousers" – The Beat, Mirror in the Bathroom", "I Just Can't Stop It", "Too Nice to Talk To", Tears of a Clown" with most of these hits taking place between 1979 and 1980.
All of these bands listed achieving top-ten charts success between 1979 and 1981, this was a short but influential run of success.
Channel One Sound System by Angela OgunfojuriNotting Hill Carnival
Reggae Festivals and Events
The affinity between sound system gatherings and outdoor settings had been established well before these events came to Britain. Soundsystems represent more than just a means of broadcasting music; they serve as a cultural beacon, uniting people in a shared love of music.
While these gatherings can take place indoors, they are primarily about the outdoors and forging unique experiences with music and nature.
Nevertheless, given the nature of the British weather, soundsystems events have had to shift indoors. But out of necessity, come summer; they've evolved to capitalise on the small window to participate in outdoor festivals.
DJ Kool Herc (2006) by Rock & Roll Hall of FameRock & Roll Hall of Fame
In many ways, soundsystem events can be viewed as early iterations of contemporary music festivals, playing a pivotal role in the growth and acceptance of reggae within the UK.
British soundsystem events were also a platform to access new music, influencing a range of genres, from pop to afrobeats. Genres that, over time, have all featured in British music festivals.
But historically, in Britain, Nottinghill Carnival, with the exception of the one-off Rock Against Racism event in 1978, was one of the few opportunities for reggae to showcase in a festival-type event.
Festus and Coxsone Sound System by Jean Bernard SohlezNotting Hill Carnival
Today, festivals have stages or areas dedicated to specific genres. Reggae often features in these spaces, reflecting the continued popularity and influence of the genre.
