Broadcaster Ritche Brave and special guests explore the powerful and often overlooked relationship between Black music, Black British culture and the development of punk.
Punk did not emerge in isolation. It developed in a Britain shaped by migration, working-class communities, racial tension, political resistance and youth rebellion.
Camden became one of the places where these movements collided, helping to create a culture that challenged authority and transformed music, fashion and ideas about identity.
From reggae, ska, rocksteady and dub to soul, funk, blues and Caribbean sound-system culture, Black music helped create the musical, political and visual landscape from which punk emerged.
The connections could be heard in the music, seen in the clothes and experienced in the venues where Black and white musicians and audiences came together. Punk and reggae shared stages, influences and a willingness to confront racism, inequality and the political establishment.
This thought-provoking discussion will examine those connections and consider the contribution of Black artists, musicians and communities to punk’s development.
The panel will also explore Camden’s distinctive role in the history of musical and social change, from its influential venues and creative communities to its continuing reputation as a place of experimentation and rebellion.
The evening will be hosted by broadcaster and cultural commentator Ritche Brave, joined by special guests.
Tickets are available on a Pay What You Can basis.
All proceeds will be donated to the African Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT), a charity providing hope and support to people living with blood cancer and other serious illnesses who need a matching stem-cell, blood or organ donor.
This event forms part of Camden Council’s Black History Season 2026.
Advance booking is recommended.
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