You might have missed this, but Grammy-winning filmmaker, DJ, broadcaster and cultural icon Don Letts is heading to Shoreham-by-Sea’s iconic Ropetackle Art Centre (Little High Street, Shoreham-by-Sea, BN43 5EG) this week for a rare, up-close-and-personal night of reggae, dancehall, lovers rock and rocksteady
A true legend of British music culture is coming to town — and he’s bringing the sound system with him.
Don Letts, the legendary “Rebel Dread”, is set to take over Shoreham’s flagship arts venue on Friday 18th September for a rare opportunity to see one of the most influential figures in British music history performing in an intimate, small-venue setting.
Presented by African Night Fever & Easy Skankin, the special one-night event will see Letts behind the decks, spinning a heavyweight mix of Roots Reggae, Dancehall, Lovers Rock and Rocksteady, alongside the African Night Fever family and friends.
For an artist who has spent decades working alongside some of the biggest names in music and film, appearing in a small venue makes this a particularly special occasion.
Don Letts is far more than a DJ. His influence stretches from the birth of the UK punk movement through reggae, dub, dancehall, rock and hip-hop, while his work as a filmmaker has documented some of the most important artists and cultural movements of the past five decades.
He first became renowned in 1977 as the DJ at The Roxy, London’s legendary first punk club, where he famously introduced a generation of punks to reggae. His passion for the music led him to embrace the punk DIY philosophy and create The Punk Rock Movie, shot on Super-8 and featuring footage of artists including The Sex Pistols and The Clash.
His career subsequently took him behind the camera for more than 300 music videos, working with an extraordinary range of artists, before moving into acclaimed documentary and feature filmmaking.
His work has explored artists and cultural figures including Bob Marley, Gil Scott-Heron, The Jam, Sun Ra, George Clinton and Paul McCartney. His documentary Westway to the World, chronicling The Clash, earned him a Grammy Award in 2003.
Now, rather than a festival main stage or a huge concert hall, the Rebel Dread is bringing that extraordinary musical history into a much smaller room — giving audiences the chance to experience Letts doing what he does best, up close and surrounded by fellow music lovers.
The night will also feature African Caribbean food from African Night Fever favourites Soul Food Sister, alongside rum, dancing and a soundtrack designed to keep the room moving.
One legendary DJ. One very intimate venue. One unforgettable night.
Sounds like a fab night out with your friends! It’s a really easy venue to get to as well – travel options HERE.
Grab your tickets HERE.
More ‘Rebel Dread’ action below:
Check out Don’s filmography on IMDb HERE.
Discover Don Letts ‘Culture Clash Radio’ HERE on BBC iPlayer Radio.
