In the 70s and 80s Britain was rife with racial tension and police harassment particularly against black British youths. These youths were the rebel generation who were also searching for an identity. They created a music – a sub genre of reggae known as Lovers Rock. This music allowed young people to experience intimacy and healing through dance- known as ‘scrubbing’- at parties and clubs. This dance provided a coping mechanism for what was happening on the streets. It was also ‘girl power’ music that empowered a generation of young women.
Lovers Rock developed into a successful sound with national UK hits and was influential to British bands (Police, Culture Club). It became a global brand through artists like UB40 and Maxi Priest. These influences underline the impact the music was making in bridging the multi-cultural gap that polarized the times. Live performance, comedy sketches, dance, interviews and archive shed light on the music and the generation that embraced it.