Events by this organizer

From school bands to community stalwarts, youth ensembles from across the city showcase the future of the instrument’s form.

The day is hosted by Flagz Sound, a collective who have been championing Caribbean culture for over a decade. Expect authentic island spirit and energy with Sir Influential bringing hype on the mic and Clarkie Tee locked in on the decks.

The day is woven together by a historic musical moment: a special arrangement of The TASPO Story by the last surviving member of TASPO (Trinidadian All Steel Percussion Orchestra), Sterling Betancourt MBE.

Watch as each ensemble brings their own unique arrangement to this commission, symbolising the passing of a legendary baton and the beginning of the next chapter in the UK’s pan history.

Discover the fascinating history of the Trinidad All-Steel Percussion Orchestra (TASPO) and ‘Operation Britain’, the legendary grassroots campaign that galvanised the nation of Trinidad to fund the orchestra’s historic trip taking them to their performance outside the Royal Festival Hall as part of the 1951 Festival of Britain.

Captured on film and broadcast worldwide, this landmark performance propelled the steel pan onto the global stage.

There’s also a chance to get involved and design your own modern ‘Operation Britain’. Inspired by history, share your vision for the community efforts we can build together to create a connected, supportive and musically expressive society.

This project is a collaboration with Culture&, an independent arts and heritage organisation diversifying the industries since 1988.

Come one, come all it’s time to celebrate the enduring spirit and sound of steel pan, a movement that has shaped the British musical landscape for generations, almost 75 years to the day.

Get ready for a spectacular celebration of Caribbean culture featuring mas costumes, live soca and calypso performances, tassa and interactive dance classes.

This intergenerational celebration of steel pan and Caribbean culture is woven together by Just Vibez, who are bringing together the sweet sounds of steel pan with the high-energy Caribbean atmosphere of their Big People Party!

We’ve also got appearances from steel pan veterans Martin Jay and Smokey Joe as well as performances from Triniboi Joocie and other UK soca stars. Holding down the decks are Just Vibez DJs plus guests including DJ Markee (Soca Addict), Pharxoh (BBC 1Xtra) and DJ Kiy (Elements) dropping the absolute best in soca, zouk, reggae and dancehall, alongside the unstoppable energy of MC The Trini Gladiata, Gavin DC and MC Marcus.

Expect nothing but the best in pan and pure Vibez for everyone!

The day is centred on a historic musical moment: a special arrangement of The TASPO Story by the last surviving member of TASPO (Trinidadian All Steel Percussion Orchestra), Sterling Betancourt MBE.

Watch as each ensemble brings their own unique arrangement to this commission, symbolising the passing of a legendary baton and the beginning of the next chapter in the UK’s pan history.

Since Gerald Forsyth first introduced steel pan to the UK school curriculum it has been celebrated as a remarkable tool for engaging young people. Yet, despite its richness, the steel pan has been routinely sidelined in formal music education and accreditation.

Led by educator Dawn K Batson in conversation with consultant and artist manager Elise Brown and musician Tom Challenger, join this captivating conversation as we trace the journey of the steel pan player – from those first school lessons to higher education, and right into the professional music arena. We dive into the systemic barriers that have historically kept steel pan from achieving academic equality with other instruments, and ask the big question: how do we change the game?

Come down and think together about how to dismantle the ‘novelty ceiling’ and ensure pan players are fully recognised as ‘total musicians’ and legitimate scholars of their craft – paving a truly recognised career pathway that embeds the pannist into the fabric of the music industry, now and into the future.

In 1951, the grassroots campaign ‘Operation Britain’ galvanised the nation of Trinidad to fund the Trinidad All-Steel Percussion Orchestra’s (TASPO) historic trip to the 1951 Festival of Britain.

Running alongside the Rhythm of History Exhibition, this interactive space invites you to uncover the histories and stories that occurred behind the scenes of Operation Britain and reflect on moments of collectivism and support in your own communities.

Bring your memories and join others in building a living archive of community action. In celebrating these powerful historical moments, we can find inspiration for the connected, supportive communities we want to build today.

Explore the soulful syncopation of reggae on steel pan under the wonderful guidance of UFO Steelband.

Leading the session is Jason Constantine, an accomplished arranger for bands in Trinidad and the UK, and a recipient of the national lottery award for contributions to music in the UK.This workshop is perfect for beginner pan players who are keen to learn the fundamentals of different sections that make up a steel pan orchestra.

UFO believes music belongs to everyone. Based in North Acton, their charity steelband brings people together from all walks of life, ages and abilities for weekly lessons, community gigs and joyful carnival performances. UFO are dedicated to bringing this vibrant art form to as many people as possible through sharing their love for steel pan.

This conversation and Q&A examines how 75 years of the steel pan in the UK has impacted our society, supported by excerpts from Johnson’s 2014 documentary.

The panellists explore the enduring labour required to sustain a movement that has revolutionised music.

By inhabiting local theatres, churches, and schools, pan musicians embed themselves into the daily fabric of community practice. Thus, the panyard functions as a permanent site of radical social organisation. This year-round presence is often obscured by a narrow public focus on the summer carnivals and outdoor performances.

How do we challenge the seasonal lens that reduces a complex musical way of life to a temporary spectacle?

The discussion moves beyond the carnival stage to foreground the sophisticated social architecture that remains when the costumes are put away.

Originating from Trinidad and Tobago, calypso’s joyful cadence and syncopated beats are now in your hands.

Join us for a hands-on session and learn the fundamental rhythms of calypso to play like a full-scale steel orchestra – from the first beat to the final melody.

Led by RASPO’s founder Mary Genis and composer and arranger Paul Jr Watson, alongside members of the RASPO Steel Orchestra, the session is a chance to learn, listen and build a band together.

For all levels, beginners and experienced players alike.

RASPO is well established as Reading’s premier steel orchestra and welcomes all age groups. The name – Reading All Steel Percussion Orchestra – commemorates the very first steel band to play in the UK at the 1951 Festival of Britain: TASPO (Trinidad All Steel Percussion Orchestra). RASPO has performed at The Royal Albert Hall, WOMAD festival, Glastonbury, for the London 2012 Olympics, live on BBC and ITV, and annually at London’s Notting Hill Carnival.

As part of the 1951 Festival of Britain, The Trinidad All-Steel Pan Percussion Orchestra (TASPO) performed in the UK for the first time – forever transforming the DNA of British music. Since then, the steel pan instrument has been a symbol of innovation and community-powered creativity.

Hosted by comedian and musician ‘The Sassy One’ Kayleigh Lewis, this spectacular night illuminates the true dynamism of the art form, cementing the steel pan’s place as one of the most innovative instruments of the 20th century.

The evening features world premieres and new works, fusing the steel pan with disciplines ranging from classical and jazz to afrobeat, gospel and blues.

Featured composers include Blue Lab Beats, Jenny Gilberg, Nabihah Iqbal, Delphina James, Soweto Kinch, and Marlon The Pannist.

Calypsonian heavyweights Tobago Crusoe and Alexander D Great are showcasing their mastery of extempo (a lyrically improvised form of calypso). Stay tuned for more guest artists to be announced.

In the spirit of TASPO – which brought 11 players together for the first-ever UK steel pan performance – this concert features a brand-new, bespoke 25-piece steel orchestra. The ensemble unites top talent from the UK’s premier and legacy steel bands, including Ebony, Endurance Mangrove, Metronomes, Pan Nation, Real Steel, New Generation, North Tyneside, Dallaway Steel, Southside Harmonics and Stardust.

Steel Pan Reimagined dives into the musical legacy of steel pan music and cements its central place within the global pantheon of genre-defying music.

Seventy-five years since the sound of the steel pan arrived in the UK, a suite of dazzling new commissions celebrates its incredible heritage and bright horizons.

Learn the layout of a steel pan, practice some scales and try your hand at playing the first ever song played on pan. It’s time to fill the Riverside Terrace with music.

Led by national and international panorama winning performer, Fareed Siddiqui and players from his group, Impact Steel Band, the session is a fun and unique way to explore the history of steel pan through melody.

All levels are welcome, but this workshop is particularly suited to beginners.

Founded in 2007 by band leader Fareed Siddiqui, Coventry’s Impact Steel Band are hugely passionate about education, engagement and inspiring the next generation of players through workshops and live performances.

One instrument, 75 years of history in the UK: witness Jubilee Gardens transform into a resonant soundscape built by Caribbean craft.

Bringing generations together through a love of steel pan, this celebration features iconic appearances by veterans Martin Jay, plus live sets from Miss Desire, Triniboi Joocie and fellow UK soca heavyweights.

Each steel pan orchestra performance is woven together by a historic musical moment: a special arrangement of The TASPO Story by the last surviving member of TASPO (Trinidadian All Steel Percussion Orchestra), Sterling Betancourt MBE.

Watch as each band brings their own incredible repertoire and unique arrangement to this commission, symbolising the passing of a legendary baton and the beginning of the next chapter in the UK’s pan history.

Holding down the decks are Just Vibez DJs plus guests including Pharxoh (BBC 1Xtra) and Hyper Spice dropping classics in soca, reggae and dancehall. The infectious energy of MC’s The Trini Gladiata and MC Marcus hold it all together. Expect nothing but the best in pan!

Join Joelle Gardiner, Romaya Sorzano and New Generation steel players for a deep dive into the legendary sounds of the joyous and iconic anthem ‘Hot Hot Hot’!

Gardiner, alongside New Generation Steel Orchestra players, hosts this remarkable rhythmic workshop with the aim of sending you home with some new skills and a deeper understanding of the instrument.

Joelle Gardiner is the founder and artistic director of New Generation Steel Orchestra. Her journey began at age seven with the Ebony Steel Band, where the steel pan became a passport to global travel and professional success. Driven by these life-enriching experiences, she founded New Generation Steel Orchestra to pay that legacy forward: providing young people with the same transformative opportunities, community and musical excellence that shaped her own life.

Founded in 2019, New Generation Steel Orchestra is dedicated to providing free steel pan lessons, uniforms, trips and mentoring to disadvantaged young people. Beyond their core educational programs, the organisation performs and facilitates workshops for schools, community organisations, corporations and private functions, in addition to hosting various community events.