Sound System Outernational in association with Sonic Street Technologies presents SSO#8: UK Sound System Reasoning Day: Continuities and Disruptions brings together sound system operators from around the UK and across different generations to celebrate and exchange knowledge about how sound system culture and practice is performed; preserved or changed between generations; appropriated; accessed or limited. Through three reasoning sessions, we will learn how different practitioners started their sound systems; their approach to their practice and why; and how various political and social situations have influenced their sound system approach. How and why is the culture transforming, or being passed down and preserved, or being gatekept, or appropriated? What are the responsibilities of youngers and elders? What does the future hold?

We will also explore how broader cultural landscapes and technological changes inform practitioners’ experiences. Indeed, is the traditional definition of a sound system still fitting, given technological and media platform changes in sound systems’ social and musical functions? The sessions are for sound system practitioners - artists, DJs, selectors, engineers, musicians, and activists - to reason with each other. Researchers and anyone else who participates directly or indirectly in sound system culture are welcome as an audience with some limited time for questions.

Outside the reasoning sessions, the atrium of the Professor Stuart Hall Building will be filled with various exhibits and stalls. The two exhibitors will be Sisters in Sound and Let’s Play Vinyl. The stalls include Lewisham Rebel Music Map, Sonic Street Technologies Sonic Map, and BASSISbikes. Papa Face will run a pop-up record shop, and local bookseller The Word will have a stall selling books. Local Black-owned family business Pristine Eats is catering lunch and dinner.

The day will feature a great selection of sound system DJs and musicians. Nzinga Soundz will supply the music via Unit 137’s system during morning check-in, break and during the lunch hour. BASSISbikes will play during dinner, and Unit 137 powers the after-party featuring artists Jerry Lionz performing a live dub mix, vocalist Sista Lexxy, Hylu on the decks and multi-instrumentalist A.P. Grimshaw.

Sound System Outernational #8 is staged in association with Sonic Street Technologies (SST), an ongoing initiative of practitioners and researchers, in association with Goldsmiths, University of London and funded by the European Research Council, dedicated to recognizing, stimulating and supporting sound system culture worldwide.

Programme:

10.30-11.00am: Check-in and light refreshments at Professor Stuart Hall Building (music supplied by Nzinga Soundz)

11.00-11.15am: Welcome from SSO and SST

11.15-12.45pm: Younger and Veteran reasoning sessions run in parallel, chaired by Yassmin Foster and June Reid

12.45-13.45pm: Lunch (music supplied by Nzinga Soundz)

13.45-15.15pm: 2 intergenerational (younger/veterans together) reasoning sessions to run in parallel, chaired by Mykaell Riley and Lez Henry

15.15-15.30pm: Break (music supplied by Nzinga Soundz)

15.30-16.00: Final remarks, led by SST

16.00-17.30: Film screening of 'Ina Vanguard Style: A Documentary On Iration Steppas'

17.30-19.00pm: Dinner, sound supplied by BASSISbikes, from Lionbeat

19.00-22.00pm: Afterparty in the Atrium, powered by Lewisham-based sound system Unit 137

22.00-01.00am: After-afterparty - Juke Joint Jamaica with DJs Tiny T and Lucky Cat at Isla Ray Cafe, 37 Deptford High Street, SE8 4AD

*The event will be filmed, recorded, and captured on social media, but will not be live-streamed.

Any questions please email soundsystemouternational@gmail.com

Sound System Outernational presents SSO#8: UK Sound System Reasoning Day