Live

Steel Pulse: O2 Forum Kentish Town, London 13/5/22

One of the few upsides to all those months we were forced to stay home in 2020 and 2021 was the chance to catch up on good music.  The long and frankly boring days were at least a chance to spend some time playing albums through and listening to them with a fresh ear...

So it was that the brilliant "Handsworth Revolution" became one of my go-to records during lockdown. Recorded sometime before I was born, it still bursts from the speakers with an energy and urgency that's just as relevant in the 2020s as it was in the 1970s.

It was little surprise that the affection and respect the British reggae heavyweights are held in saw a packed out crowd descend on the O2 Forum Kentish Town to see them celebrate an incredible career.

While many acts with such an impressive catalogue might be tempted to hark back to past glories, 2019's "Mass Manipulation" shows off an act with plenty more to say.

Frontman David Hinds is a compelling presence and lit up the stage with his irrepressible energy, while his bandmates were more than capable of shining.

"Rally Round" and "Don't Shoot" showcased an act who still sound fresh after all these years, while "Babylon Makes The Rules" was a powerful performance from the reggae icons. "Ku Klux Klan" carries as much weight as it did when it was first released in 1978, its anti-racism message as needed now as it ever was.

Amlak Tafari is a compelling bass player with a brilliant sense of showmanship, while guitarist David Elecciri was a powerful presence.
Selwyn Brown added plenty of flair on keyboards, as it was clear the band are well drilled and love being in front of a crowd.

For their part, the crowd were full of appreciation for the group, who delivered a high quality, high evening night.

PHOTOS: DAVE BURKE
Words Dave Burke