In an unprecedented first, WoW held a celebration of reggae sound system culture at Toxteth Library. A tremendous amount of work went into this event from forming a panel of guests, to transforming the children’s library into to a reggae dance hall, and not least, transporting a huge collection of speakers, mixing desks and miles of cable into the space.
The feedback from the expert panel and the audience (many of whom were experts themselves) made the hard work wholly worthwhile. Mykaell Riley, one of the UK’s leading figures in documenting black British music, said that this was the type of work that we need to see more of on a national scale. Errol Graham of Bozra Man Sound hopes to continue working with us in documenting this important heritage with Liverpool. African Dance pioneer, Maxine Brown said that it was a privilege to be included on the panel and thanked us for including an often-over-looked female perspective.
The audience were fully engaged in the panel discussion, many having direct experience of Liverpool’s sound system culture, blues parties, and nightclubs. Following the discussion, we danced ’til midnight, and it was endearing to see so many young people discovering and revelling in the sounds of King Struggler. We were transported back to the days of the Frontline where the sounds of the heavy, heavy base line was all that mattered for a precious few hours.
Thanks go to Whispered Tales for the inspiration and to Culture Liverpool and the Library Service for their support in making this happen and allowing us to have a Blues in the library. Special thanks to Rich at One Fell Swoop for his hard work on this project.
Maxine Brown sent this lovely message in the days following the event;
I just wanted to say, thank you for an evening celebrating Liverpool’s Sound System Culture.
Also, thanks for inviting me to be part of Stories of the Blues. It was truly an honour to be the only female panellist among such distinguished voices, sharing stories and reflections about Liverpool’s and the UK rich sound system legacy.
The panel discussion was inspiring, and it was a privilege to contribute to the stories of how sound system culture has shaped not only the musical but also the social and cultural landscape of Liverpool. The audience’s input during the discussion added such depth to the evening. Their shared stories, lived experiences, and perspectives enriched the conversation and showed how vital it is to preserve this collective history.
For me the evening’s highlight was, without a doubt, the listening and dancing to King Struggler Sound System. The music and dancing reminded us all of the joy, resilience, and community spirit that sound systems have always brought to Liverpool and other areas of the UK. It was a powerful and fitting way to end such a celebratory event.
Thank you to the organizers, especially Madeline Heneghan, for bringing this event to life and providing a platform to preserve and celebrate this important musical heritage. Events like this not only honour our past but inspire the future.
Looking forward to more opportunities to celebrate and share stories from Liverpool’s vibrant sound system culture.
