Nottingham sound system culture explored at New Art Exchange
An exhibition at Nottingham’s New Art Exchange explores Caribbean migration through sound system culture, bringing together archive, music, and personal stories.
Morning briefing Nottingham
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Dry today
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Strong winds today
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Our Yard: Foundations enters its second month of residency at the New Art Exchange. The curated archives pull together artefacts and experiences that tell stories of the Windrush generation's migration to the UK, using the Sound System Culture as the backdrop.
In the 1940s, sound systems were a key aspect of culture for many Jamaican music lovers: whereas Western music was even then largely controlled by big record labels, in Jamaica individual DJs and sound engineers were the ones finding and producing cutting edge music. Groups of these producers were known as sound systems.
Crossing to the UK, many emigrants found themselves isolated. Cut off from the continuous stream of new music of their homeland and ostracised from 'whites only' parties. Our Yard tells the story of how many people found their way through that time, often with difficulties, but always with rhythm.
Nottingham is a main character in the story being told too. Visitors can listen to recordings of Heatwave Radio, a 1988 pirate radio station which played reggae, soul, and hip hop, but also kept the community together through conversation. There's also recognition given to the Natural Ites, a 1980s reggae band.
Pick up a guidebook on entry — the context is especially helpful for those less familiar with the history.
The exhibition extends beyond the NAE galleries. Tomorrow, Mimm Studios hosts a blues-inspired dance party, on the theme that remembering love keeps us alive. There are other events to keep an eye out for throughout April and the start of May. Some of these events require booking, but are often free.
Entrance is free to the exhibition, which is open any time the New Art Exchange is. It is open 10am until 4pm everyday, except for Sunday and Monday when it is closed.
