Black British Music: Outside the London Frame

While London has often been positioned as the centre of Black British music culture, vital scenes have emerged across cities and communities throughout the UK, each shaped by local histories, diasporas and creative networks. This conversation brings together artists, researchers and cultural practitioners to reflect on how Black music has been made, shared and sustained beyond the capital.

From grassroots movements to nationally influential sounds, the panel will consider how musicians have drawn on their immediate environments to develop distinct sonic identities. Together, speakers will explore how these regional perspectives challenge dominant narratives and expand our understanding of Black British music culture as plural, situated and deeply interconnected.

This panel forms part of a wider series of talks and screenings presented in collaboration with UCL and curated by Dr Clive Chijioke Nwonka for The Music is Black Festival from East Bank at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Full programme details will be released soon.