ONE FOR THE ROAD launch night with Simon Fowler
2022-12-08 19:00 - 21:30 UTC
ONE FOR THE ROAD LAUNCH NIGHT
Join Simon Fowler and Daniel Rachel to celebrate the publication of ONE FOR THE ROAD: The Life & Lyrics of Simon Fowler and Ocean Colour Scene at the legendary Hawley Arms.
Simon will be in conversation with award winning author Daniel Rachel before performing a short acoustic set.
Tickets strictly limited to 100 people*
Thursday 8 December 2022
Upstairs at the Hawley Arms,
2 Castlehaven Rd,
London
NW1 8QU
Doors: 7 p.m.

To guarantee entry to the launch party: Enter the competition on either
Facebook: OceanColourSceneOfficial Instagram: www.instagram.com/ocsmusic Twitter: www.twitter.com/ocsmusic
or pre order the ‘Its A Beautiful Thing’ or ‘Hundred Mile High City’ deluxe package from One For The Road from www.ourfavourite.shop by Friday 25 November 2022

A NIGHT WITH SIMON FOWLER LIVERPOOL
2023-03-09 19:00 - 2023-03-10 21:00 UTC
One for the Road – An Evening with Simon Fowler
Thursday 9 March, 7.30pm
​
Expect a very special evening when we are joined by Simon Fowler, frontman of Ocean Colour Scene for an evening of storytelling and acoustic performance.
Discussing his extraordinary book, One For The Road, Simon Fowler recounts his life and songwriting through the prism of 69 songs from all stages of his career, from the first song he wrote when he was 16, through his formative groups, The Great Betrayal and The Fanatics, to Ocean Colour Scene and their multi-platinum selling albums in the mid-nineties.
Simon will play a selection of Ocean Colour Scene classics from ‘The Day We Caught The Train’, and ‘The Circle’’ to ‘Profit In Peace’ alongside a selection of new and previously unheard songs. Following the discovery of a cassette tape recorded in 1986 featuring over 20 previously unreleased songs, including a handful later recorded by Ocean Colour Scene, Simon will play a selection of these for the first time in public.
Simon will be joined by his lifelong friend and award-winning and best-selling author, Daniel Rachel. Having grown-up three doors apart, Daniel lived with Simon through the heyday of the Nineties and witnessed first-hand the writing of the multi-platinum selling Moseley Shoals. Discussing their adventures from forming bands in the Eighties to the Cool Britannia revelry of the nineties, An Evening with Simon Fowler promises to be a unique and heartfelt journey into fame, friendship and era-defining music.
Copies of the book will be on sale at the event.
‘When I was a teenager, my dream was to become a football commentator. Wanting to become a pop star seemed a stretch too far. It seemed daft enough to want to be John Motson, let alone John Lennon.’ SIMON FOWLER
‘It’s brilliant, beautiful, gorgeous, stunning… the kind of book you want to smell and stroke.’ CHRIS EVANS, VIRGIN RADIO
‘These pages reverberate with an insight and also a superb gallows humour.’ LOUDER THAN WAR
‘Simon Fowler is a success because of being blessed with a wondrous voice. He writes stunning songs. And he tells a damn good yarn.’ DANIEL RACHEL
​Our Star Café-Bar will be open from 6.30pm.
​All tickets £20

A NIGHT WITH SIMON FOWLER LONDON
2023-03-18 19:00 - 22:00 UTC
A Night With Simon Fowler (Ocean Colour Scene)
The Tabernacle, London. Saturday 18 March 2023
One For The Road: An Evening of Music and Conversation with Simon Fowler (Ocean Colour Scene) with award-winning author Daniel Rachel.
Discussing his life as the lead singer of the million selling Ocean Colour Scene and playing a live acoustic set, Simon Fowler shares stories from his new memoir – One For The Road – from forming bands in the eighties to the Cool Britannia revelry of the nineties. Simon will be joined by his lifelong friend and award-winning and best-selling author, Daniel Rachel. Having grown-up three doors apart, Daniel lived with Simon through the heyday of the nineties and witnessed first-hand the writing of the multi-platinum selling Moseley Shoals. An Evening with Simon Fowler promises to be a unique and heartfelt journey into fame, friendship and era-defining music.

A NIGHT WITH SIMON FOWLER BELFAST
2023-04-10 18:30 - 22:00 UTC
STARR RECORDS PRESENTS…SIMON FOWLER ‘ONE FOR THE ROAD’
18:30, 10 April 2023
Black Box, Belfast

Join us for an intimate evening with Ocean Colour Scene’s Simon Fowler in conversation with lifelong friend and award winning author Daniel Rachel.

Discussing his extraordinary book, One For The Road, Simon Fowler recounts his life and songwriting through the prism of 69 songs from all stages of his career, from the first song he wrote when he was sixteen, through his formative groups, The Great Betrayal and The Fanatics, to Ocean Colour Scene and their multi-platinum selling albums in the mid-nineties. Revealing a panoply of disparate influences from William Yeats and Cole Porter to David Bowie, Lou Reed and Neil Young, Simon reveals the stories behind the songs, the people and the places that inspired them and how he feels about them now.
Simon will play a selection of Ocean Colour Scene classics from ‘The Day We Caught The Train’, and ‘The Circle’’ to ‘Profit In Peace’ alongside a selection of new and previously unheard songs. Following the discovery of a cassette tape recorded in 1986 featuring over 20 previously unreleased songs, including a handful later recorded by Ocean Colour Scene, Simon will play a selection of these for the first time in public.
Simon will be joined by his lifelong friend and award-winning and best-selling author, Daniel Rachel. Having grown-up three doors apart, Daniel lived with Simon through the heyday of the nineties and witnessed first-hand the writing of the multi-platinum selling Moseley Shoals. Discussing their adventures from forming bands in the eighties to the Cool Britannia revelry of the nineties, An Evening with Simon Fowler promises to be a unique and heartfelt journey into fame, friendship and era-defining music.

£21

STARR RECORDS

STOKE NEWINGTON LITERARY FESTIVAL
2023-06-03 18:00 - 19:00 UTC
Daniel Rachel: The Beatles Lost Album
3rd Jun 2023 6pm – 7pm

at The Mildmay Club Upstairs Room
33-34 Newington Green, London, N16 9PR

The end of the Beatles wasn’t inevitable. It came through miscommunication, misunderstandings and missed opportunities to reconcile. But what if it didn’t end? What if just one of those chances was taken, and the Beatles carried on? What if they made one last, great album?
In The Lost Album of The Beatles, Daniel Rachel, winner of the Penderyn Music Book Prize, looks at what could have been. Drawing on impeccable research, Rachel examines the Fab Four’s untimely demise – and from the ashes compiles a track list for an imagined final album, pulling together unfinished demos, forgotten B-sides, hit solo songs, and arguing that together they form the basis of a lost Beatles masterpiece.

£5.00+ £0.50 fee

PRAISE FOR THE LOST ALBUM OF THE BEATLES
‘Painstaking detail and great stories’ Guardian
‘A fantastical journey through what might have been… exciting and compelling.’ BBC 6 Music
‘A fascinating detailed read’ Mojo
‘Ingenious.’ Record Collector
‘Full of enthralling details about the highs and lows of the band’s last year… it’s like the DNA in a crime scene.’ Word in Your Ear
‘A book that is religiously detailed and yet manages to create tantalising glimpses of what might have been’ Louder Than War
‘An extraordinary peek behind the curtain of one of the most celebrated music groups in history…a must-read for any music aficionado’ Music Devotee

Sevenoaks Literary Festival
2023-09-30
In conversation with MOJO editor, Pat Gilbert

‘Daniel Rachel imagines what the next Beatles album might have been like, with painstaking detail and great stories’
David Hepworth, The Guardian / Book of the Day
‘A fantastical journey through what might have been… Exciting and compelling.’
Chris Hawkins, BBC 6 Music
‘Daniel Rachel’s forensic investigation makes a strong case for looking afresh at the evidence… a fascinating detailed read’ –Mojo
‘In this meticulously crafted book, Rachel offers an extraordinary peek behind the curtain of one of the most celebrated music groups in history…a must-read for any music aficionado’
Music Devotee
‘A detailed researcher and writer… Ingenious.’
Record Collector
‘Full of enthralling details about the highs and lows of the band’s last year… it’s like the DNA in a crime scene.’
David Hepworth, Word in Your Ear
‘A book that is religiously detailed and yet manages to create tantalising glimpses of what might have been’
Louder Than War

Date
30th September 2023

Time
5.00pm

Venue
Ship Theatre

In his daring re-write of musical history, Daniel Rachel dares to dream… what if The Beatles had made one more great album? Drawing on impeccable research, he examines the untimely demise of the Fab Four and pulls together a track list of unfinished demos, B sides and hit solo songs to raise them from the ashes. Come along to hear more about this tantalising glimpse into what might have been.

To buy tickets, please visit https://sevlitfest.com/events/the-lost-album-of-the-beatles/

2 Tone launch in Hastings
2023-10-19 19:00 - 22:00 UTC
PRINTED MATTER BOOK & RECORD SHOP PRESENTS…
RUDIES COME BACK: DOCUMENTARY OF 2 TONE, PLUS BOOK LAUNCH
Join us for the launch of Daniel Rachel’s new book Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story: Rude Boys, Racism & the Soundtrack of a Generation, and see rare 1980 2 Tone film.

DIRECTOR: JEFF PERKS
CAST INCLUDES: THE SELECTER, TERRY HALL – THE SPECIALS, PAULINE BLACK, ADRIAN THRILLS
PLUS Q&A WITH AUTHOR DANIEL RACHEL AND DJ DEBBIE GOLT

FILM (33 MINS), PLUS SHORT INTERVAL AND Q&A / 1980 / UK

Printed Matter Book & Record Shop presents the official launch of Daniel Rachel’s new book, Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story: Rude Boys, Racism & the Soundtrack of a Generation.
About the book:
In 1979, 2 Tone exploded into the national conscience as records by The Specials, The Selecter, Madness, The Beat, and The Bodysnatchers burst onto the charts and a youth movement was born.
2 Tone was black and white: a multi-racial force of British and Caribbean island musicians singing about social issues, racism, class and gender struggles. It spoke of injustices in society and took fight against right wing extremism.
The music of 2 Tone was exuberant: white youth learning to dance to the infectious rhythm of ska and reggae; and crossed with a punk attitude to create an original hybrid. The idea of 2 Tone was born in Coventry, masterminded by a middle-class art student raised in the church.
Jerry Dammers had a vision of an English Motown. Borrowing £700, the label’s first record featured ‘Gangsters’ by The Specials’ backed by an instrumental track by the, as yet, unformed, Selecter. Within two months the single was at number six in the national charts. Dammers signed Madness, The Beat and The Bodysnatchers as a glut of successive hits propelled 2 Tone onto Top of the Pops and into the hearts and minds of a generation.
However, infighting amongst the bands and the pressures of running a label caused 2 Tone to bow to an inevitable weight of expectation and recrimination.
Still under the auspices of Jerry Dammers, 2 Tone entered in a new phase. Perhaps not as commercially successful as its 1979-1981 incarnation the label nevertheless continued to thrive for a further four years releasing a string of fresh signings and a stunning end-piece finale in ‘(Free) Nelson Mandela’. Too Much Too Young is the definitive story of a label that for a brief, bright burning moment, shaped British culture.
We’ll be screening the film Rudies Come Back followed by a Q&A with author Daniel Rachel and DJ Debbie Golt.
“We’re not just a dance band, we have things to say.” Grab this rare chance to see the 1980 BBC Arena film that heads to Coventry to quiz The Selecter and The Specials about the rise and rise of 2 Tone and all things ska.
About Debbie Golt
Debbie Golt FRSA is an award-winning broadcaster and arts consultant. She was actively involved in organising Rock Against Racism events in late ’70s and began DJ-ing at the same time, playing 2 Tone releases alongside Reggae, Ska, Punk and more and still plays out locally, nationally and internationally.

https://www.electricpalacecinema.com/
The Electric Palace, 39A High St, Hastings TN34 3ER.
https://www.printedmatterhastings.co.uk/

Too Much Too Young: An evening of Ska, Reggae & 2 Tone
2023-10-21 19:30 - 23:30 UTC
Saturday 21 October – An evening of Ska, Reggae and 2 Tone.
Come & celebrate the publication of Too Much Too Young: the Story of 2 Tone Records with special guests and 3 hours of dancing.
7.45 pm – In conversation with Rhoda Dakar (The Bodysnatchers), Miranda Joyce (The Bodysnatchers/Belle Stars) Comie Amanor (The Selecter) with author Daniel Rachel and chair Travis Elborough.
9pm – DJ sets from Rhoda Dakar, Tim Wells and Daniel Rachel
BUY TICKETS
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/mildmayclubandinstituteltd/961660
Rhoda Dakar https://linktr.ee/RhodaDakar
Compton Amanor https://twitter.com/amanorman
Miranda Joyce https://www.instagram.com/mirandajoyce/?hl=en
Tim Wells https://www.facebook.com/timwellspoet
Travis Elborough https://traviselborough.co.uk/

LOCATION

The Mildmay Club, N169PR

2 Tone launch in Coventry
2023-10-22 16:00 - 18:00 UTC
The 2 Tone Village presents
The publication of Too Much Too Young: the Story of 2 Tone Records with a rare screening of the Arena documentary Rudies Come Back (1980) and special guest panel with author, Daniel Rachel.
4pm: Film introduction by Daniel Rachel
4.45pm: Guest speakers, including Paul Heskett (Swinging Cats / The Specials) and John Mostyn (The Beat manager and 2 Tone live agent)
5.30: Book signing
6pm: Los Fastidious live set

Book your ticket now from https://www.wegottickets.com/event/591762
or from the 2 Tone Village

Beatles & Bowie: National Liberal Club
2023-11-02 19:00 - 22:30 UTC
AUTHORS CLUB TALK
BOWIE AND THE BEATLES
November 2, 2023 7:00 pm
London
Daniel Rachel and Paul Burston discuss their recent books, ‘The Lost Album of The Beatles’ and ‘We Can Be Heroes’
What if the Beatles hadn’t split up at the end of the Sixties? Music critic Daniel Rachel surmises what direction their music might have taken in his book ‘The Lost Album of the Beatles’. And lifelong Bowie-phile Paul Burston discusses the impact of his hero on his life in his acclaimed memoir. ‘We Can Be Heroes’.
You don’t have to choose between Bowie and the Beatles: at this special music book event you can enjoy both, as seen through the eyes of two scintillating commentators and critics.

Daniel Rachel ©Natalie Dawkins

Paul Burston
Daniel Rachel is a former musician turned award-winning author, whose previous books have covered the sounds of Cool Britannia, Oasis and Two-Tone. He’ll be talking about his thought-provoking ‘The Lost Album of the Beatles’ and asking: what if they hadn’t split up?
Paul Burston is the author of six novels and five non-fiction books and the editor of two collections of short stories. The host of the award-winning LGBTQ+ literary salon Polari, and the founder of the Polari book awards, he was editor of the Gay section of Time Out for many years. In his memoir, ‘We Can Be Heroes: A Survivor’s Story’ he explains why, at the age of 14, ‘David Bowie saved my life.’
The Lounge, National Liberal Club.
Free, but please book via our Eventbrite link www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/bowie-and-the-beatles-tickets-728767692787?

London Live!
2023-11-07 18:00 - 19:00 (Europe/London)
Daniel will be on London Live talking about his new book Too Much Too Young.
You will be able to view the whole show for a week after the air date on our ‘Watch Again’ feature at londonlive.co.uk

Birmingham 2 Tone launch
2023-11-30 19:00 - 23:00 (Europe/London)
TWO TONE NIGHT: IN CONVERSATION WITH HORACE PANTER & AUTHOR DANIEL RACHEL.
Adrian Goldberg talks to the bass player of The Specials, Horace Panter and Daniel Rachel author of the best selling book, “Too Much Too Young – The Story Of 2 Tone Records”.
For limited early discount use code “Goldie”
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/two-tone-night-in-conversation-with-author-daniel-rachel-tickets-751500828207?aff=oddtdtcreator

Thu, 30 Nov 2023 19:00 – 23:00 GMT

Location

Rock & Roll Brewery.

19 Hall Street Birmingham B18 6BS

More details to follow

The Redskins: 'These Furious Flames!'
2023-12-13 19:00 - 21:00 (Europe/London)
Redskins Live! 1985-86′ In Conversation
Rough Trade East
Wed, 13 Dec, 7:00 pm

About

Rough Trade East is excited to present an In Conversation event celebrating the release of The Redskins’ ‘These Furious Flames! Redskins Live! 1985-86’, released via London.
The panel for this event includes:

Martin Hewes – Redskins band member (bass/backing vocals)
Barney Ashton-Bullock – Redskins specialist, poet and project consultant.
Daniel Rachel – author

Tickets for this event also include a physical copy of the fantastic new album on your format of choice to be collected from Rough Trade East on the day of the show. More product information can be found HERE >> https://www.roughtrade.com/gb/product/redskins/these-furious-flames-redskins-live-1985-86

All ages

Presented by Rough Trade.

Sky News Breakfast
2023-12-21 09:30 - 22:00 UTC
Daniel will be a guest on Sky News Breakfast at 9.30 am on Thursday 21 December talking about his new book Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story with presenter Anna Jones.
Please note this has been re-scheduled form earlier in the month

Walthamstow Rock ‘n’ Roll Book Club
2024-02-20 19:00 - 22:00 (Europe/London)
Sharing stories about 2 Tone Records with Rhoda Dakar (The Bodysnatchers / The Specials / The Special AKA) and host Miranda Sawyer

Event by Walthamstow Rock ‘n’ Roll Book Club

Walthamstow Trades Hall 61-63 Tower Hamlets Road,London,E17 4RQ,GB

Tickets
via Eventbrite

Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story: Rude Boys, Racism and the Soundtrack of a Generation
A SUNDAY TIMES MUSIC BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023
#2 UNCUT BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 A
RESIDENT BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023
PENDERYN PRIZE 2024 SHORTLIST
We are thrilled to welcome prize-winning Daniel Rachel to Walthamstow Rock ‘n’ Roll Book Club at Walthamstow Trades Hall for an evening of discussion, debate and brilliant music.
In 1979, 2 Tone exploded into the national consciousness as records by The Specials, The Selecter, Madness, The Beat, and The Bodysnatchers burst onto the charts and a youth movement was born. 2 Tone was black and white: a multi-racial force of British and Caribbean island musicians singing about social issues, racism, class and gender struggles. It spoke of injustices in society and took fight against right wing extremism. The music of 2 Tone was exuberant: white youth learning to dance to the infectious rhythm of ska and reggae; and crossed with a punk attitude to create an original hybrid. The idea of 2 Tone was born in Coventry, masterminded by a middle-class art student raised in the church. Jerry Dammers had a vision of an English Motown. Borrowing £700, the label’s first record featured ‘Gangsters’ by The Specials’ backed by an instrumental track by the, as yet, unformed, Selecter. Within two months the single was at number six in the national charts. Dammers signed Madness, The Beat and The Bodysnatchers as a glut of successive hits propelled 2 Tone onto Top of the Pops and into the hearts and minds of a generation. However, soon infighting amongst the bands and the pressures of running a label caused 2 Tone to bow to an inevitable weight of expectation and recrimination. Still under the auspices of Jerry Dammers, 2 Tone entered in a new phase. Perhaps not as commercially successful as its 1979-1981 incarnation the label nevertheless continued to thrive for a further four years releasing a string of fresh signings and a stunning end-piece finale in ‘(Free) Nelson Mandela’. Told in three parts, Too Much Too Young is the definitive story of a label that for a brief, bright burning moment, shaped British culture.
Daniel with be joined by RHODA DAKAR singer and musician, best known as the lead singer of The Bodysnatchers, who were signed to the 2 Tone record label.
The discussion will be hosted by MIRANDA SAWYER .
AUDEINCE Q&A, BOOK SIGNING AND DJ’S playing the very best selection of Ska and 2 Tone. Plus the Trades Hall cheap bar.
PRESS REVIEWS
Gurinder Chadha, OBE
‘An incredible and detailed account of a massive watershed moment in British culture. Rachel’s book captures the daily struggles and contradictions within both the groups and the audience during harsh political times and ultimately delivers a message of positivity and the power of the music to affect social and political change’
John Harris
‘A brilliantly vivid account of one of British pop culture’s most inspiring movements – surely the definitive telling of the 2-Tone story’
Pauline Black, OBE
‘We lived in Britain, a country that had hugely benefited from immigration, but curiously had an innate antipathy to the ideas of multiculturalism and diversity. Daniel Rachel has managed to capture the essence of that contradiction in those Margaret Thatcher governed years, with this comprehensive, cautionary but nonetheless celebratory saga of the 2 Tone label.’
Billy Bragg
‘Daniel Rachel has managed to talk to all the significant players and the story he tells is one that shines a light on the challenges of mixing pop with politics. This feels like the definitive story of 2 Tone. Masterful.’
Charlie Higson
‘A great book about a time when record labels meant something and a brief period of hope when it seemed as if music might actually be able to change the world. This is a book about a few exceptionally talented people who came together and created something extraordinary.’
Pete Paphides
In Daniel Rachel, the great untold story of the post-punk era finally gets the storyteller it deserves. Too Much Too Young is every bit as thrilling, and just as achingly evocative as the music it was written to celebrate… a scintillating read
Suggs
Daniel Rachel has bagged the whirlwind of 2 Tone with joy, honesty and compassion to create the definitive account of one of Britain’s finest youth movements
The Wire
A brilliant book and a fitting account of one of British culture’s most epochal moments. Nothing is left out of this definitive book
MOJO
Essential read for anyone who ever moonstomped in tonic suit, DMs and stingy-brimmed trilby

Faversham Literary Festival
2024-02-24 17:00 - 18:00 (Europe/London)
Daniel Rachel and Charlie Higson

In 1979, 2 Tone exploded into the national consciousness, as records by The Specials, The Selecter, Madness, The Beat and The Bodysnatchers burst onto the charts and the definitive post-punk youth movement was born. Charlie Higson, comedy writer and actor from The Fast Show, fronted The Higsons, a band featured on the label. Daniel and Charlie chat about the political and social backdrop to the music, covering racism, class and gender struggles. Chaired by Siân Pattenden.

Event Information

Event Date
Sat 24 Feb 5:00pm

Individual Price
£12.00

Venue
Shepherd Neame Old Brewery Store

Categories
All events, 24 February (Saturday), Music & Art, Culture & Diversity

Tickets

Sound Affects: 2 Tone/Mod Special Brighton
2024-03-10 19:00 - 21:30 (Europe/London)
Details

This is a night dedicated to two-tone and mod with June Miles-Kingston, Eddie Piller and Daniel Rachel
Speakers:
June Miles-Kingston – As a drummer, singer and song-writer, she co-formed all girl band the Mo-dettes in 1979. She went on to work with the Funboy 3, Everything But the Girl, the Communards, and many others. June is also a prize-winning Filmmaker. Her current film project uses my personal archive to encapsulate my experiences as a female musician throughout the Eighties.
Daniel Rachel – Former musician-turned-bestselling author whose previous works include: “Isle of Noises: Conversations with Great British Songwriters”, “Don’t Look Back in Anger: the Rise & Fall of Cool Britannia” and “The Lost Album of The Beatles: What if the Beatles hadn’t Split Up?”. His new book Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story : Rude Boys, Racism and the Soundtrack of a Generation is the definitive guide to the legendary 2 Tone Records. The book maps out the a movement that shook up the nation with its rebellious spirit, fighting against the injustices in society and took the fight against the right wing extremism in the country.
Eddie Piller – Writer who has just released his best selling biography “Clean Living Under Difficult Circumstances” which looks at his life up to the age of 23. In his spare time he runs the indie label Acid Jazz and the independent radio station Totally Wired Radio. Past glories include owning Hoxton’s legendary Blue Note club.
TICKETS: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/sound-affects
Sound Affects is a night of talks about music and subcultures, how sound affects us and how music changes the world. It’s organised and hosted by journalist and documentary filmmaker Jak Hutchcraft.
£10 entry.
East Street Tap in Brighton.
Follow @SoundAffectsNight on Instagram.

Two-Tone/Mod Special: Daniel Rachel, June Miles-Kingston, Eddie Piller, more TBA
East Street Tap
Brighton

Sun 10 Mar 2024,
7:00PM – 9:30PM

Bristol Cube Microplex: MUSIC, CULTURE AND ANTI RACISM: THE 2 TONE STORY
2024-03-14 20:00 - 22:00 (Europe/London)
MUSIC, CULTURE AND ANTI RACISM: THE 2 TONE STORY
Film, talks and discussion about 2 tone and its relevance today.
Thu 14 March // 20:00
Tickets: £5 (full)
BOOK TICKETS

Film, talks and discussion.

Author of ‘Too Much, Too Young: The 2 Tone Story‘ discusses his book and the wider questions of music, culture and anti-racism in conversation with Bristol Poet and educator at Cargo; Lawrence Hoo and Publisher, Sociologist and Musician, Pete Webb of PC-Press and UWE.
Before the discussion there will be a film showing of the BBC Arena programme on 2 Tone called ‘Rudies Come Back’.
This event is sponsored by PC-Press and Sociology at University of the West of England.
Thursday 14th March – 7 – 11pm. £5 entry in advance.

~
Pic: Lawrence Hoo

Press reaction to ‘Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Story’:
A TIMES / SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR
AN UNCUT BOOK OF THE YEAR
A RESIDENT MUSIC BOOK OF THE YEAR
A LOUDER THAN WAR BOOK OF THE YEAR
A BLITZED BOOK OF THE YEAR
AURAIST CHOICE: BEST WRITTEN NON-FICTION
PENDERYN MUSIC PRIZE LONGLIST 2024
A brilliant book…nothing is left out of this definitive book WIRE
A disputatious, colourful & rife with contradictions UNCUT
Superb…Rachel writes with the undimmed passion and enthusiasm of the teenage tonic-suited rude boy VIVE LE ROCK
An exceptional portrait of Britain at a crucial time IRISH TIMES
An essential read…fasten your seat belts, rudies’ MOJO
A must-read for anyone interested in 2 Tone, ska or British music history LOUDER THAN WAR
A brilliant, insightful book & nothing short of definitive RECORD COLLECTOR
An incredible white-knuckle ride told with real love, style and attention to detail DO THE DOG
The ideal match of author and subject JON SAVAGE
The definitive telling of the 2 Tone story JOHN HARRIS
An incredible and detailed account of a massive watershed moment in British culture GURINDER CHADHA
A comprehensive, cautionary but nonetheless celebratory saga of the 2 Tone label PAULINE BLACK
Just as achingly evocative as the music it was written to celebrate… a scintillating read PETE PAPHIDES
The definitive account of one of Britain’s finest youth movements SUGGS
Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story
Daniel Rachel
White Rabbit publish the definitive guide to the legendary 2 Tone Records written by the bestselling British author Daniel Rachel. Titled Too Much Too Young The 2 Tone Records Story : Rude Boys, Racism and the Soundtrack of a Generation, the book maps out the journey of one of the UK’s most influential record labels that became a movement that shook up the nation with its rebellious spirit, fighting against the injustices in society and took the fight against the right wing extremism in the country.
In 1979, 2 Tone exploded into the national consciousness as records by The Specials, The Selecter, Madness, The Beat, and The Bodysnatchers burst onto the charts and a youth movement was born. 2 Tone was black and white: a multi-racial force of British and Caribbean island musicians singing about social issues, racism, class and gender struggles.
The music of 2 Tone was exuberant: white youth learning to dance to the infectious rhythm of ska and reggae; and crossed with a punk attitude to create an original hybrid. The idea of 2 Tone was born in Coventry, masterminded by a middle-class art student raised in the church. Jerry Dammers had a vision of an English Motown. Borrowing £700, the label’s first record featured ‘Gangsters’ by The Specials’ backed by an instrumental track by the, as yet, unformed, Selecter. Within two months the single was at number six in the national charts. Dammers signed Madness, The Beat and The Bodysnatchers as a glut of successive hits propelled 2 Tone onto Top of the Pops and into the hearts and minds of a generation. However, soon infighting amongst the bands and the pressures of running a label caused 2 Tone to bow to an inevitable weight of expectation and recrimination.
Still under the auspices of Jerry Dammers, 2 Tone entered in a new phase. Perhaps not as commercially successful as its 1979-1981 incarnation the label nevertheless continued to thrive for a further four years releasing a string of fresh signings and a stunning end-piece finale in ‘(Free) Nelson Mandela’.
Told in three parts, Too Much Too Young is the definitive story of a label that for a brief, bright burning moment, shaped British culture.
Author, Daniel Rachel, said: As a child, 2 Tone defined the way I saw the world. I was seduced by the off-beat rhythms, the cool looking clothes and most importantly the social and political lyrics. 2 Tone taught me about black and white unity, it gave a voice to the pointlessness of street violence, and it provided an understanding and awareness of the horror of rape and apartheid. That you could dance, look good and be educated by a record was incredible. This music and these bands have printed an indelible mark on my life. To write the story of 2 Tone is one of profound personal pride. But more so, to honour one of the greatest periods in modern popular culture. 2 Tone at its heart was a movement of great songwriters, musicians and songs – We danced and sang, and the music played in a de boomtown!
Publisher, Lee Brackstone said: The music and the aesthetic of 2 Tone set the dial for the prevailing mood of the counterculture in the 1980s, and we’re still feeling the aftershocks of the extraordinary achievements of the label four decades later. Through exhaustive interviews with the major artists and those associated with the label and deep research, award-winning writer Daniel Rachel brings the story of 2 Tone to life: the joy of a uniquely creative moment which arguably did more than any other to challenge racism and class prejudice in Britain, and in the process enlightened a whole generation of fans and created a catalogue of unparalleled quality. Essential reading.
Birmingham-born Daniel Rachel is a former musician-turned-award-winning and bestselling author whose previous works include: Isle of Noises: Conversations with Great British Songwriters (a Guardian and NME Book of the Year), Walls Come Tumbling Down: the music & politics of Rock Against Racism, 2 Tone and Red Wedge (winner of the Penderyn Music Book prize), Don’t Look Back in Anger: the Rise & Fall of Cool Britannia (An Evening Standard and Metro Book of the Year), The Lost Album of The Beatles: What if the Beatles hadn’t Split Up? (Guardian Book of the Day and Amazon No. 1 Bestseller), One For The Road (The Life & Lyrics of Simon Fowler & Ocean Colour Scene) Oasis: Knebworth: Two Nights That Will Live Forever (with Jill Furmanovsky – A Sunday Times Bestseller), When Ziggy Played the Marquee by Terry O’Neill (editor) and co-writer of Ranking Roger’s autobiography I Just Can’t Stop It: My Life in The Beat (a Vive Le Rock Book of the Year). In 2021, Daniel was a guest curator of 2 Tone Lives & Legacies exhibition as part of Coventry Cultural City 2021 and curated the anniversary edition of the Selecter’s debut album Too Much Pressure.

Laugharne Weekend
2024-03-17 03:30 - 05:30 (Europe/London)
Daniel will be discussing Too Much Too Young: the 2 Tone Records Story
https://www.thelaugharneweekend.com/line-up
Millennium Hall 4pm

LINE UP / YN CYMRYD RHAN

Here’s a list of the first acts confirmed for March 15-17, 2024. The tickets have all sold out, but you can join the waiting list in case people can’t come, and also live stream some acts for £10. Go to TICKETS.

​
Alexei Sayle, Cerys Matthews & Arun Ghosh, Mike Brearley, James Brown, Isy Suttie, Martin & Eliza Carthy, Caitlin Moran, Robin Askwith,Tracey Thorn, Sali Hughes, John Niven, Martin Rowson, Nick Revell, Luke Wright, Chris Bryant, Tim Burgess & Helen O’Hara, Allan Jones, Sheena Patel, Kiri Pritchard McLean, Daniel Rachel, Catherine Taylor, David Stubbs, Dan Stuart, Daljit Negra, Fflur Dafydd, Robin Ince, The Secret Tory MP, Pete Paphides, Fflur Dafydd, Catherine Taylor, Natasha Walter
​Click Here To Buy Tickets

Arts Online
2024-04-04 19:00 - 21:00 (Europe/London)
Thursday, 4 April

Rachel Mayfield – Arts Online – Daniel Rachel

Rachel Mayfield Arts Online, a weekly inspirational arts and healing arts event on Zoom

Date and time

Thu, 4 Apr 2024 19:00 – 21:00

19:00 – 20:00

Guest Author Daniel Rachel & Q&A

Arts Online with Rachel Mayfield – Special Guest Author Daniel Rachel – The Art of Interview & Music Journalism
Musician turned award-winning Author Daniel Rachel will discuss his personal writer’s journey, his writing process and style, and the story behind his inspiration while sharing ways to interview and write on music. This is a first-of-its-kind interview with Daniel. If you are interested in music, Indie Rock, Ska, Bowie, Oasis, Ocean Colour Scene, and so much more, don’t miss this opportunity to meet, talk, and be inspired by Daniel Rachel, who is an expert on the subject.
View More about Daniel Rachel at Daniel Rachel – Musician-turned-award winning author
Be inspired and stay connected to your creative mind at this weekly drop-in online event. Pour your favourite drink, get comfortable and log on wherever you are. Each week will be unique, with guest speakers, Q&A, themed discussion and creative workshopping. Whatever your art form, writing, music or multimedia, there will be something to light up your world. The sessions are interactive, you will be encouraged to share your thoughts and discuss your ideas and creative work. However, taking part in the conversation or workshopping is optional. You can join as an audience member and listen in with your camera off if you prefer. All are welcome, whether at the beginning or further along in your creative life. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to join Rachel Mayfield and connect with fellow creators. Sign up now to secure your spot in this inspiring creative cafe!
See more about Rachel Mayfield at
Home | Rachel Mayfield Arts
Music | Rachel Mayfield (bandcamp.com)
Instagram @RachelMayfieldArts
Event Details:

Date: 04/4/2024
Time: 7 pm
Location: Online

Upstairs at the Commercial Inn
2024-04-11 19:00 - 22:00 (Europe/London)
Daniel Rachel – Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story

Thu 11 Apr 2024 8:30 PM – 10:30 PM
The Commercial Inn, SK13 7SH

Daniel Rachel – Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story

‘In Conversation With’ and Book Launch

Press release
White Rabbit publish the definitive guide to the legendary 2 Tone Records written by the bestselling British author Daniel Rachel. Titled Too Much Too Young The 2 Tone Records Story : Rude Boys, Racism and the Soundtrack of a Generation, the book maps out the journey of one of the UK’s most influential record labels that became a movement that shook up the nation with its rebellious spirit, fighting against the injustices in society and took the fight against the right wing extremism in the country.
In 1979, 2 Tone exploded into the national consciousness as records by The Specials, The Selecter, Madness, The Beat, and The Bodysnatchers burst onto the charts and a youth movement was born. 2 Tone was black and white: a multi-racial force of British and Caribbean island musicians singing about social issues, racism, class and gender struggles.
The music of 2 Tone was exuberant: white youth learning to dance to the infectious rhythm of ska and reggae; and crossed with a punk attitude to create an original hybrid. The idea of 2 Tone was born in Coventry, masterminded by a middle-class art student raised in the church. Jerry Dammers had a vision of an English Motown. Borrowing £700, the label’s first record featured ‘Gangsters’ by The Specials’ backed by an instrumental track by the, as yet, unformed, Selecter. Within two months the single was at number six in the national charts. Dammers signed Madness, The Beat and The Bodysnatchers as a glut of successive hits propelled 2 Tone onto Top of the Pops and into the hearts and minds of a generation. However, soon infighting amongst the bands and the pressures of running a label caused 2 Tone to bow to an inevitable weight of expectation and recrimination.
Still under the auspices of Jerry Dammers, 2 Tone entered in a new phase. Perhaps not as commercially successful as its 1979-1981 incarnation the label nevertheless continued to thrive for a further four years releasing a string of fresh signings and a stunning end-piece finale in ‘(Free) Nelson Mandela’.
Told in three parts, Too Much Too Young is the definitive story of a label that for a brief, bright burning moment, shaped British culture.
Author, Daniel Rachel, said: As a child, 2 Tone defined the way I saw the world. I was seduced by the off-beat rhythms, the cool looking clothes and most importantly the social and political lyrics. 2 Tone taught me about black and white unity, it gave a voice to the pointlessness of street violence, and it provided an understanding and awareness of the horror of rape and apartheid. That you could dance, look good and be educated by a record was incredible. This music and these bands have printed an indelible mark on my life. To write the story of 2 Tone is one of profound personal pride. But more so, to honour one of the greatest periods in modern popular culture. 2 Tone at its heart was a movement of great songwriters, musicians and songs – We danced and sang, and the music played in a de boomtown!

A TIMES / SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR
AN UNCUT BOOK OF THE YEAR
A RESIDENT MUSIC BOOK OF THE YEAR
A LOUDER THAN WAR BOOK OF THE YEAR
A BLITZED BOOK OF THE YEAR
AURAIST CHOICE: BEST WRITTEN NON-FICTION
PENDERYN MUSIC PRIZE LONGLIST 2024
A brilliant book…nothing is left out of this definitive book WIRE
A disputatious, colourful & rife with contradictions UNCUT
Superb…Rachel writes with the undimmed passion and enthusiasm of the teenage tonic-suited rude boy VIVE LE ROCK
An exceptional portrait of Britain at a crucial time IRISH TIMES
An essential read…fasten your seat belts, rudies’ MOJO
A must-read for anyone interested in 2 Tone, ska or British music history LOUDER THAN WAR
A brilliant, insightful book & nothing short of definitive RECORD COLLECTOR
An incredible white-knuckle ride told with real love, style and attention to detail DO THE DOG
The ideal match of author and subject JON SAVAGE
The definitive telling of the 2 Tone story JOHN HARRIS
An incredible and detailed account of a massive watershed moment in British culture GURINDER CHADHA
A comprehensive, cautionary but nonetheless celebratory saga of the 2 Tone label PAULINE BLACK
Just as achingly evocative as the music it was written to celebrate… a scintillating read PETE PAPHIDES
The definitive account of one of Britain’s finest youth movements SUGGS
Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story
Daniel Rachel

LOCATION
The Commercial Inn, SK13 7SH

Freedom Sounds Festival - Cologne
2024-04-19 - 2024-04-20
I will be in conversation at the festival with Joe Scholes and special guests Rhoda Dakar (Bodysnatchers / Specials / Special AKA) and Penny Layton (Bodysnatchers).
Book signing of Too Much Too Young, Walls Come Tumbling Down and I Just can’t Stop It (My Life in The beat Ranking Roger)

Home

Heath Literature & Music Festival
2024-04-21 15:30 - 17:00 (Europe/London)
White Rabbit Books: ‘Too Much, Too Young’ – Two-Tone Music with Daniel Rachel and Pauline Black
21st Apr 2024 2:45pm – 4pm
at Hare & Hounds

70 High St, King’s Heath, Birmingham, B14 7JZ

This event is 15.00-16.00 followed by book signing.
Join best selling British author Daniel Rachel, author of ‘Too Much, Too Young. The 2 Tone Record Story: Rude boys, Racism and The Soundtrack of a Generation’, with special guest, iconic front woman of The Selecter, Pauline Black.
Daniel and Pauline will be in conversation with Lyle Bignon.
In 1979, 2 Tone exploded into the national consciousness as records by The Specials, The Selecter, Madness, The Beat, and The Bodysnatchers burst onto the charts and a youth movement was born. 2 Tone was black and white: a multi-racial force of British and Caribbean island musicians singing about social issues, racism, class and gender struggles.
Birmingham-born Daniel Rachel is a former musician-turned-award-winning and bestselling author whose previous works include: Isle of Noises: Conversations with Great British Songwriters (a Guardian and NME Book of the Year), Walls Come Tumbling Down: the music & politics of Rock Against Racism, 2 Tone and Red Wedge (winner of the Penderyn Music Book prize), Don’t Look Back in Anger: the Rise & Fall of Cool Britannia (An Evening Standard and Metro Book of the Year), The Lost Album of The Beatles: What if the Beatles hadn’t Split Up? (Guardian Book of the Day and Amazon No. 1 Bestseller), One For The Road (The Life & Lyrics of Simon Fowler & Ocean Colour Scene) Oasis: Knebworth: Two Nights That Will Live Forever (with Jill Furmanovsky – A Sunday Times Bestseller), When Ziggy Played the Marquee by Terry O’Neill (editor) and co-writer of Ranking Roger’s autobiography, I Just Can’t Stop It: My Life in The Beat (a Vive Le Rock Book of the Year). In 2021, Daniel was a guest curator of 2 Tone Lives & Legacies exhibition as part of Coventry Cultural City 2021 and curated the anniversary edition of The Selecter’s debut album Too Much Pressure.Performer, singer, artist, band leader and songwriter, Pauline Black has dedicated four decades to the music scene and is an undisputed icon of British music. Supporting and campaigning for racial equality throughout her work, she describes herself as first and foremost, a singer. Pauline was awarded an OBE in the 2022 New Year Honours and received an Honorary Degree from the University of Warwick in the same year.
A lifelong love of music inspired by punk and reggae artists from the 1970s led Pauline to join The Selecter and a career that has seen her travel across the world to share her passion and artistry with hundreds of thousands of fans. The Selecter went on to become a platinum-selling band and one of the most influential within the 2 Tone music scene, alongside others including The Beat, The Specials and Madness. Pauline Black is one of very few women in the 2-Tone scene – she is often referred to as the Queen of Ska.
From childhood to fame, from singing to acting and broadcaster to writer, from adoption to her search for her birth parents, Pauline shared her story of music, race, family and roots in her critically acclaimed memoir ‘Black By Design.’
She celebrated her 70th birthday in 2023 and is still performing live with The Selecter and recording new music. The Selecter is co-fronted by original member Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson with original drummer Charley ‘Aitch’ Bembridge.Lyle Bignon is a UK and European music, media, and PR consultant; music writer, and Night Time Economy Ambassador for Birmingham. A champion of all things music and NTE in his home city, Lyle works with artists, bands, bars, clubs, communities, DJs, labels, organisations, producers and venues. He has delivered hundreds of launches, premieres, projects, and tours spanning opera to grime, Qawwali to sludge metal, and folktronica to punk rock, and worked with some of the biggest names and brands in music over the past 20 years.
Lyle has written for or broken stories across international media including Arte, BBC, CBS, Channel 4, Classic FM, CNN, The Guardian, ITV, Metro, Mixmag, Music Week, NBC, NME, The Daily Telegraph, and The Times.
His lobbying and campaign work alongside policymakers, academics, business leaders, and industry continues to highlight and address issues affecting music and the NTE at a local and national level.
This event is part of ‘The Heath Bookshop Literature and Music Festival’ which is supported using public funding by National Lottery through Arts Council England.

Tickets

General Admission
E-TICKET
Ticket grants entry.

£6.50+ £0.30 fee

Next

Cathedral Quarter Arts Festival, Belfast
2024-05-12 19:00 - 22:00 (Europe/London)
Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story – Stuart Bailie in conversation with Daniel Rachel
The Black Box (Green Room)
Sunday 12 May, 7.00pm
Doors 6.30pm | Unreserved seating
£7.00
BUY TICKETS
Author Daniel Rachel joins us to talk about his new book 2 Tone: The Music, label and moment that shaped British Culture.
A SUNDAY TIMES MUSIC BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023
#2UNCUT BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023
In 1979, 2 Tone exploded into the national consciousness as records by The Specials, The Selecter, Madness, The Beat, and The Bodysnatchers burst onto the charts and a youth movement was born. 2 Tone was black and white: a multi-racial force of British and Caribbean island musicians singing about social issues, racism, class and gender struggles. It spoke of injustices in society and took fight against right wing extremism.
The music of 2 Tone was exuberant: white youth learning to dance to the infectious rhythm of ska and reggae; and crossed with a punk attitude to create an original hybrid.
The idea of 2 Tone was born in Coventry, masterminded by a middle-class art student raised in the church. Jerry Dammers had a vision of an English Motown. Borrowing £700, the label’s first record featured ‘Gangsters’ by The Specials’ backed by an instrumental track by the, as yet, unformed, Selecter. Within two months the single was at number six in the national charts.
Dammers signed Madness, The Beat and The Bodysnatchers as a glut of successive hits propelled 2 Tone onto Top of the Pops and into the hearts and minds of a generation. However, soon infighting amongst the bands and the pressures of running a label caused 2 Tone to bow to an inevitable weight of expectation and recrimination.
Still under the auspices of Jerry Dammers, 2 Tone entered in a new phase. Perhaps not as commercially successful as its 1979-1981 incarnation the label nevertheless continued to thrive for a further four years releasing a string of fresh signings and a stunning end-piece finale in ‘(Free) Nelson Mandela’.
Told in three parts, Too Much Too Young is the definitive story of a label that for a brief, bright burning moment, shaped British culture.

Tickets also available from:
Visit Belfast | 028 90 246 609
9 Donegall Square North – Open 7 days a Week

Here Comers The Weekend
2024-05-26
WWW PRESENTS HERE COMES THE WEEKEND!
Sponsored by Modfather Clothing Company & DRC Shipping
25 & 26 MAY 2024 – Doors 12pm

We’re very excited to announce that HERE COMES THE WEEKEND! is returning to Woking FC on Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th May 2024!

And we are honoured to have in conversation, The Jam’s drummer, Rick Buckler! Rick will be talking about the heady days of the rise of the band from local Woking haunts to Number 1’s, touring the world and in depth chat about the recording of some of the key moments in The Jam’s career.

Also they’ll be Q&A’s with award winning author Daniel Rachel (Walls Come Tumbling Down, Too Much Too Young, Cool Britannia), award winning documentary director Bob Smeaton (About The Young Idea – The Story of The Jam, The Beatles Anthology, Classic Albums) and author Ian Snowball (Thick As Thieves, Sounds From The Studio).

Live music comes from Small Fakers, the no 1 tribute to The Small Faces. (PW’s fav all time band.) We also have the return of teenage sensations The Molotovs! (More acts to be announced.)

Dan Jennings from the Paul Weller Fan Podcast will be MC for the weekend.

Tufty Tours will be taking place each morning as Steve Carver and pal Sam Molnar take a coach load of Paul Weller acolytes around the Woking area to places of significant interest and haunts from Paul’s youth, as well as places The Jam rehearsed and played, before hitting the charts.

If you’ve not been on one as yet, make sure you don’t miss out!

Richie Scooted and Booted will have his decks set up to DJ throughout each day with Sonny, and we will have a screen set up so those who want to watch the FA Cup Final as well.

We’re also putting a stage in this year so everyone can see the bands properly!

The Modfather Clothing Company will have their stall again and another Scooter Rideout will take place on the Sunday morning.

There are both indoor and outdoor bars, food vans, outdoor seating, free parking and free overnight secure parking for scooters and motorbikes.
Come and join us!

Weekend tickets £90 / Weekend tickets with Tufty Tour £100
*WEEKEND PASSES WILL BE SENT SPECIAL DELIVERY IN EARLY MAY*

Woking F.C.
Laithwaite Community Stadium
Kingfield Road
Woking GU22 9AA

*Weekend & Tufty Tour tickets on sale Thursday 23rd November at 8am from www.sddproductions.co.uk

Birmingham Ska & Reggae Festival
2024-06-01
Daniel will hosting a conversation with Rhoda Dakar (Bodysnatchers / Special AKA), Basil Gabbidon (Steel Pulse) and members of Symarip.
Daniel will be signing copies of Too Much Too Young: the 2 Tone Records Story

BRITISH ROCK READY FOR THE 80s & ITS AFTERSHOCKS
2024-07-02 19:30 - 23:00 (Europe/London)
Join us for a rare screening of British Rock Ready for the Eighties: Punk and its Aftershocks + Q&A with director Wolfgang Büld and the authors Daniel Rachel, Cathi Unsworth, and Richard Weight

doors: 7:00 start: 7:30
Tickets: £10

TICKETS

This sequel to the Munich-based filmmaker Wolfgang Büld’s classic doc, PUNK IN LONDON, finds punk not dead but Britain now on fire with the fresh sounds and street styles of Ska, Mod and New Wave.
An unmissable snapshot of the musical landscape of the nation in 1979, BRITISH ROCK READY FOR THE EIGHTIES: PUNK AND ITS AFTERSHOCKS features live performances and exclusive interviews with the likes of The Clash, The Jam, Ian Dury, The Pretenders, Secret Affair, Spizzenergi, The Boomtown Rats, Gary Numan, and 2-Tone pioneers The Specials, Madness, and The Selector.
Büld will be joined in a discussion about the film and the sounds and fashions of the late 70s by the authors Daniel Rachel (Too Much Too Young), Cathi Unsworth (Season of the Witch) and Richard Weight (Mod) hosted by pop culture historian Travis Elborough.
Don’t miss this rare screening of one of rock’s finest documentaries and a portrait of Britain on the cusp of enormous musical, political and social change.

Wolfgang Büld is a German-born but London-based filmmaker, scriptwriter and producer who studied at the University of Television and Film in Munich. His graduation film in 1977 was the music documentary PUNK IN LONDON, which became an instant international cult classic and resulted in two sequels before Büld branched out into making feature films.
Birmingham-born Daniel Rachel is a former musician-turned-award-winning and bestselling author whose books include Don’t Look Back in Anger: the Rise & Fall of Cool Britannia and Too Much Too Young: The 2 Tone Records Story.
Cathi Unsworth is a lifelong Goth. A teenage music journalist turned acclaimed crime writer and biographer of punk icon Jordan, her latest book, Season of the Witch: The Book of Goth, is a personal and social history of an enduring counter-culture – one that steadfastly refuses to give up the ghost.
Richard Weight is the author of the acclaimed MOD From Bebop to Britpop, Britain’s Biggest Youth Movement and the forthcoming Pleasure Island: Drugs & the British, A Global History.
The author and broadcaster Travis Elborough has been described by The Guardian as ‘one of Britain’s finest pop culture historians.’

Ventnor Fringe Festival
2024-07-23 19:30 - 20:30 (Europe/London)
The Story of Two Tone

Author Daniel Rachel discusses his definitive book about a label and musical movement that shaped British culture. Developed in Coventry in the late 70’s, 2 Tone was black and white: a multi-racial mix of British and Caribbean musicians singing about social issues, racism, class and gender struggles. One for all Rudies out there!

Show Information
Duration 60mins (no interval) Age Suitability: 12+ Culture / Unlimited Pass 2for1 Tickets Yes
Accessibility Information
Access: One step to building, steps to toilets. Wheelchair Spaces: No Accessible Toilets: No Standing/Seated: Seated

Location

Ventnor Arts Club
13 High Street
Ventnor
Isle of Wight
PO38 1RZ

British Library - Rudies Come Back
2024-07-25 19:00 - 22:00 (Europe/London)
Your Local Arena Film Screening and Panel Talk: Rudies Come Back or The Rise and Rise of 2-Tone
With Special Guests: Rhoda Dakar & Charlie Higson
Free event!

Thursday 25 July 2024 at 19:00 at the British Library, London NW12DB.

With its home in Coventry, its roots in reggae and its multiracial bands, 2-Tone was a British musical phenomenon. As part of the British Library’s Beyond the Bassline season, Your Local Arena screens Rudies Come Back, the energetic 1980 BBC Arena film made right at the moment that 2-Tone was emerging, capturing its unique blend of 1960s blue beat and ska with 1970s reggae, soul and punk.

After the film, the accompanying panel discussion with Rhoda Dakar (the Bodysnatchers), Charlie Higson (the Higsons) and Jeff Perks (2 Tone filmmaker) was around at the time, and the discussion will be chaired by Daniel Rachel, author of Too Much Too Young, The 2-Tone Records Story.

The event finishes with a new poem inspired by the film by the #YourLocalArena roaming-poet-in-residence, Helen Thomas. It promises to be an unforgettable evening highlighting Britain’s most multiracial music genre and it is completely free!

Get your free ticket now at the link in the bio. Booking early is recommended as this event will be very popular.
See also at: https://beyondthebasslineevents.seetickets.com/…/3083981

Your Local Arena is a Lucy Hannah & Speaking Volumes co-production featuring BBC Arena’s film archive. Funded by Arts Council England.

Your Local Arena is a unique project featuring iconic films from the archives of BBC TV’s Arena, the pioneering cultural documentary series. It includes new poems inspired by the Arena films and panel talks to explore the continuing relevance of the Arena archives today. The Your Local Arena concept was developed by Lucy Hannah and Speaking Volumes, with Arena’s award-winning director/editor Anthony Wall as creative consultant, and funded by Arts Council England.

The Wake Festival
2024-07-27
Daniel Rachel is in conversation with John Andrews at 1:30pm he also plays a 2 Tone 7” vinyl dj set at 5pm both are on the Meadow Stage.
Musician-turned-award winning author talks about his current book, THE DEFINITIVE STORY OF 2 TONE RECORDS.

AN UNCUT, RESIDENT MUSIC, LOUDER THAN WAR, BLITZED & TIMES/SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR.
An essential read…fasten your seat belts, rudies’ MOJO
A brilliant book…Nothing is left out of this definitive book THE WIRE
Disputatious, colourful & rife with contradictions UNCUT
An exceptional portrait of Britain at a crucial time IRISH TIMES
A must-read for anyone interested in 2 Tone, ska or British music history LOUDER THAN WAR
A brilliant, insightful book & nothing short of definitive RECORD COLLECTOR
Superb…Rachel writes with the undimmed passion and enthusiasm of the teenage tonic-suited rude boy VIVE LE ROCK
The most extensive & engrossing account of the 2 Tone movement written to date DO THE DOG
The ideal match of author and subject JON SAVAGE
Surely the definitive telling of the 2 Tone story JOHN HARRIS
An incredible and detailed account of a massive watershed moment in British culture GURINDER CHADHA
A great book about a few exceptionally talented people who came together and created something extraordinary CHARLIE HIGSON
Comprehensive, cautionary but nonetheless celebratory saga of the 2 Tone label PAULINE BLACK
The definitive story of 2 Tone. Masterful BILLY BRAGG
Every bit as thrilling, and just as achingly evocative as the music it was written to celebrate… a scintillating read PETE PAPHIDES
The definitive account of one of Britain’s finest youth movements SUGGS
