Exhibition and evening of celebration for 40 years of Leeds Black Musical Festival comes to Leeds Playhouse

Free exhibition runs alongside Pay-What-You-Can panel discussion hosted by Leeds poet and writer Khadijah Ibrahiim

For 40 years, Leeds Black Music Festival has brought communities together through the power of music and culture. Roots to Rhythm: 40 Years of Black Music Festival celebrates that remarkable legacy with an evening of stories, history, and live performances in the Bramall Rock Void at Leeds Playhouse on 3 October, honouring the people and music that have shaped the festival across four decades.

The event is supported by a timeline exhibition on Level 2 (Bar/Kitchen) of the Playhouse, curated by local historian Danny Friar, with design by alineD Graphics, bringing together four decades of festival history and celebrating the people, music and moments that have helped create this important part of Leeds’s cultural heritage.

The live panel discussion, hosted by Leeds poet and writer Khadijah Ibrahiim, features former event organisers and contributors DJ Fluid Irie, Paulette Morris and Tashi Brown. They will share personal memories, behind-the-scenes stories and reflections on the festival’s journey, its significance to the community and its future direction.

The evening will also feature a live performance by Hayley Lloyd, singing well-loved reggae covers and bringing the sounds central to the festival’s story to life.

Whether you’ve been part of the festival’s story for decades, are discovering it for the first time, or simply love music and history, Roots to Rhythm: 40 Years of Black Music Festival is an opportunity to come together, celebrate the past, and reflect on the continuing influence of Black music and culture in Leeds.

Join us to celebrate 40 years of music, memories, heritage and community.

Roots to Rhythm: 40 Years of Black Music Festival is presented by Black Health Initiative, a community engagement organisation working towards equality of access to Health and Social Care around Leeds.

Roots to Rhythm: 40 Years of Black Music Festival comes to Leeds Playhouse 3 October. Tickets are available here.