Pioneering British group Soul II Soul comes to Sheffield City Hall for an evening celebrating one of the most influential sounds in modern Black British music.
Born from London’s sound-system culture, Soul II Soul helped change the direction of British soul, R&B and dance music, creating a distinctive style that connected club culture, Caribbean influence and contemporary Black British identity.
The collective became internationally recognised through groundbreaking songs including Keep On Movin’ and Back To Life, records that brought the group global success and helped establish a new confidence and visibility for British Black music internationally.
Their distinctive Funki Dred philosophy extended beyond recordings. Soul II Soul grew out of house parties and sound-system events, developing an approach in which music, fashion, visual identity and community were closely connected.
The group went on to achieve major international success, including Grammy recognition, while its influence can still be heard across generations of British soul, R&B, dance and electronic music.
For a Black History Month audience, Soul II Soul represents an important chapter in the story of Black British creativity: artists rooted in multicultural London who developed their own sound and achieved recognition around the world.
The Sheffield concert provides both longtime fans and newer audiences with the opportunity to experience music that helped define an era while continuing to influence artists today.