Babylon: Revisited with Jazz Jamaica
Watch the classic film framed by live music, performed by Jazz Jamaica and guest artist Brinsley Forde, followed by a conversation with composer Dennis Bovell.
Set in 1980s south London, during the rise of reggae and the decline of punk, against the backdrop of Margaret Thatcher’s government, Babylon tells the story of Blue, a young Jamaican sound system DJ in Brixton, who dreams of making it big in the music industry.
But as he navigates a world of racism, police brutality and systemic oppression, his hopes and dreams are constantly challenged. Babylon is a raw and unflinching portrayal of the realities faced by Black British youth in the 1980s.
Presented in association with BFI, this event begins with leading British jazz/reggae music group Jazz Jamaica performing music from Dennis Bovell’s original score, bringing their original style and sound together with guest artist, Brinsley Forde.
This is followed by a screening of the film, ending with a conversation with Forde and Bovell, hosted by TYSON, about the making of the film and personal experiences of sound systems, music and south London in the 1980s.
TYSON works in an alternative world with an R&B lens. Named Breakthrough Act of the Year at Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide Awards, TYSON continues a streak of celebrated solo releases, working with underground royalty like Dean Blunt, Coby Sey, rRoxymore and Wu-Lu among many others.
Schedule
7pm – 7.40pm: Jazz Jamaica with Brinsley Forde
7.40pm – 9.15pm: Babylon screening
9.15pm – 9.35pm: interval
9.35pm – 9.45pm: Jazz Jamaica with Brinsley Forde
9.45pm – 10.30pm: Dennis Bovell and Brinsley Forde in conversation, hosted by TYSON
Need to know
For your visit
This event is held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall Southbank Centre
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is open from 90 minutes before events start until they finish. It’s closed at all other times.
Plan your visit
The Queen Elizabeth Hall is home to both our second-largest auditorium and the Purcell Room.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Food & drink
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.