Steel Pan Reimagined
Seventy-five years since the sound of the steel pan arrived in the UK, a spectacular night of new commissions celebrates the instrument’s heritage and horizons.
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.
Hosted by comedian and musician ‘The Sassy One’ Kayleigh Lewis, Steel Pan Reimagined 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, Delphina James, Soweto Kinch, Desmond Neysmith and Marlon The Pannist.
Kingston-born singer, rapper and songwriter Alicaì Harley joins as a guest artist alongside British-Guinean powerhouse singer-songwriter Jamilah Barry. Calypsonian heavyweights Tobago Crusoe and Alexander D Great showcase their mastery of extempo (a lyrically improvised form of calypso) together with the Soca Divettes. Plus, Kinetika Bloco brings their signature energy with a live performance.
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.
In the spirit of TASPO, 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.
Join us to dive into the musical legacy of steel pan – an instrument that has been a symbol of innovation and community-powered creativity for 75 years – and look to its dazzling future.
Need to know
Box package
You can buy an exclusive box package for this event. More details of our Royal Festival Hall exclusive box package.
Guest composers:
Blue Lab Beats
Jenny Gilberg
Delphina James
Soweto Kinch
Desmond Neysmith
Marlon The Pannist
Guest artists:
Jamilah Barry
Tobago Crusoe
Alexander D Great
Alicaì Harley
Kinetika Bloco
Soca Divettes
Line-up
Access
The performance at 6.30pm is BSL interpreted. To book tickets for BSL interpretation, email [email protected] or call us on 020 3879 9555.
You can join our free Access Scheme through your online Southbank Centre account or via email.
Find out more about our Access Scheme
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For your visit
This event is held at the Royal Festival Hall Southbank Centre
The Royal Festival Hall is open six days a week.
Tuesday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm
Monday, closed.
Plan your visit
The Royal Festival Hall is home to our largest auditorium as well as The Clore Ballroom, National Poetry Library, Members’ Lounge, Festival Bar & Kitchen, Ballroom Cafe and Skylon restaurant.
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Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
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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
On Level 2 of our Royal Festival Hall you can grab a slice of life by the Thames with drinks and freshly made pizza at our Festival Bar & Kitchen which opens out onto our Riverside Terrace. You can grab a coffee and a slice of freshly made cake from our Ballroom Cafe. Or alternatively enjoy destination dining in the restaurant at Skylon.
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.