Windrush 75 Concert Overview
Image via Royal Albert Hall - Official ‘Windrush 75 Concert’ Poster
The Windrush 75 Concert was one to remember: Friday 9th June 2023 7:30pm to after 10pm at the Royal Albert Hall. Before even entering the event, I took in the significance of the venue itself; opened by Queen Victoria in honour of her late husband, Prince Consort Albert, an advocate for ‘The Great Exhibition’. Her legacy of imperialism in place of the transatlantic slave trade made binding chains less physical, but evermore structural. However, those descended under colonial subjugation are now here, coming together in a melting pot gathering, commemorating resilience from deep-rooted sequences of events spanning generations.
From the programme, running of events to the contributors, you feel the care and attention to detail, precisely planned and executed with passion and flair. Presented by the brilliant Trevor Nelson, the concert illustrates the impact of the Windrush generation on British culture through music, taking the audience on a journey through the eras.
The opening by the Chineke! Orchestra, conducted by Chris Cameron felt powerful; dramatic horns and strings lulling the audience into an awed silence. They impeccably led into a lively party vibe playing an ensemble including Hot Chocolate’s ‘Every 1’s a Winner,’ Junior’s ‘Mama Used to Say,’ synonymously Caribbean steelpan drums were introduced during Des’Ree’s song ‘Life.’ They went on to play ‘You Gotta Be,’ also by Des’Ree and The Equals ‘Baby Come Back,’ written by Eddy Grant.
Following this, Trevor Nelson greeted the audience and started presenting, beginning the wonderfully balanced narrative of setting the scene using historical and personal accounts to paint pictures of nostalgia to spectators; with people from a wide range of nationalities, backgrounds and ages being equally captivated by the vision unfolded. The song by Lord Kitchener ‘London is the Place for Me,’ written onboard HMT Empire Windrush 1948 wonderfully performed by Tobago Crusoe led into how it inspired the founders of Notting Hill carnival. Trevor avidly conveyed the importance of 1964 Millie Smalls hit ‘My Boy Lollipop’ and how music is living memory.
The accomplished YolanDa Brown took to the stage and her interactive performance of ‘Is It Love’ by Bob Marley had the audience on their feet dancing under the strobe lighting set to red, gold and green, and offered a time for reflection. Following came G-Folk artist Hak Baker who delivered a great performance including the track ‘Windrush Baby’ from his debut album ‘Worlds End FM’ auspiciously released that day. Loose Ends, a band formed in London in the 1980’s then gave their performance continuing the celebratory tone.
After the interval, poet Salena Godden delivered a debut performance of her poem written for the Windrush 75 event, ‘My Heart is a Boat,’ transforming the hall with the assistance of band and lighting into an immersive experience. An orchestral Drum and Bass song by Goldie was played and then came the introduction for the infamous era of Lover’s Rock with Cleopatra Rey who played Rita in the Bob Marly musical, beautifully covering Janet Kay’s classic ‘Silly Games.’
Beverley Knight opened powerfully covering Louisa Mark’s 1975 song ‘Caught You in a Lie,’ followed by music from her own discography, captivating the crowd. Crowd still energized, the final performer Craig David closed the show performing his hit records, with heartfelt dedications in his speech to the genres created by Windrush descendants and the islands they hail from have changed the landscape of British, and global popular culture, their voices marked in time.
Trevor Nelson was sure to express homage to Patrick Vernon, David Lammy and other notable figures who are instrumental in the movement of commemorating Windrush into archives and celebrations; their contributions never forgotten. As each artist performed, they gave personal accounts of their journeys in a familiar, conversational way and seamlessly, the experience of the whole night delighted the audience. The ambience was joyful; chatters and conversations after the event speaking of being uplifted and the essence being well captured. I feel the phrase ‘active legacy’ summarizes the event, the whole movement and the spirit of Windrush.
The recorded broadcast of the event was live on BBC Radio 2 on Sunday 18th June.