Coventry Festival of Books: 2 Tone Extravaganza
July 12
A Tale of 2 Tone City
Sun 12 Jul
Techno Centre – Coventry University
A Tale of 2 Tone City. Come and celebrate with us one of Coventry city’s most iconic cultural stories.
About the event
A Tale of 2 Tone City
Come and celebrate with us one of Coventry city’s most iconic cultural stories.
As the Festival of Books draws to a close we have one final Tale to tell, a story that time will never forget, a tale that began with a special sound that hit Coventry’s thriving music scene of the late 1970s. Born in Coventry, the 2 Tone movement brought black and white musicians together, creating a sound that changed British music forever.
A panel discussion exploring the people, music and legacy behind this iconic movement will be hosted by acclaimed author Daniel Rachel,
the panel features:
Pauline Black OBE DL, legendary frontwoman of The Selecter,
Pete Chambers BEM, founder of Coventry Music Museum,
An author with a ‘passion’ for 2 tone Shelley Hinchliffe Reece.
Whether you’re reliving the era or discovering it for the first time, come and hear the stories behind Coventry’s most influential musical movement.
The event includes a Q&A, photo opportunities, book signing and meet-and-greet and a merch stall.
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£6.00
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Time & Location
12 Jul 2026, 19:00
Techno Centre – Coventry University, University 3 Puma Way, Priory St, Coventry CV1 5FB, UK
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About the event
Coventry Festival of Books is about to write its very first chapter, and you’re invited to be part of the story. Taking place over one spectacular weekend on 11th – 12th July 2026, this brand-new festival is the first of its kind for Coventry, transforming the city into a true book lover’s paradise. From page-turning talks to hands-on workshops, immersive exhibits to creative activities, this is a full weekend celebration of books, literacy, art and history, with a few delightful plot twists along the way.
The Book Extravaganza will take over the National Trust’s Charterhouse, hosting a buzzing bookish marketplace packed with indie authors, beautiful books, crafts, merchandise and curiosities for every kind of reader. Entry to Charterhouse is via the standard admission fee (or free with a National Trust pass). Meanwhile, the Anglican Chapel at London Road Cemetery will set the stage for our international and headline authors, with ticketed talks and performances available to book in advance via this website. Two venues, countless stories, and more reasons than ever to fall in love with the power of storytelling.
And we haven’t come to the final chapter yet… this year we are proud to announce that we are part of the National Year of Writing 2026, led by the National Literacy Trust ‘Go All In’, so the Coventry Festival of Books is set to become a defining moment in the city’s cultural calendar – a cornerstone event, a statement of intent, and a love letter to the magic of reading.
We’ve taken our story, torn out the limits, and written something huge and it’s being told in bold, unforgettable type.
Bookmark the dates, clear your shelves, and ready your imagination, because this is not just Coventry’s story but your story that you will bring to the Coventry Festival of Books.
“There is more than one way to tell a story!”