BBC's 2 Tone - The Sound of Coventry documentary (60 min)

The 2nd Wave Of Ska and the global impact the 2 Tone label and artists would have.

Release Information

• Original Broadcast: September 30, 2021 (BBC One – West Midlands only)

• Runtime: 60 minutes

• Produced by: Full Fat TV in partnership with Coventry UK City of Culture Trust

  ---

---

Featured Interviews & Appearances

The documentary brings together first-hand stories and reflections from iconic figures in the 2 Tone movement, including:

• Jerry Dammers – Founder of 2 Tone Records and keyboardist for The Specials

• Neville Staple – Member of The Specials

• Pauline Black – Lead singer of The Selecter

• Neol Davies – Guitarist and songwriter for The Selecter

• Pete Waterman – Coventry-born music producer and 2 Tone supporter

• Christine “Sugary” Staple – Singer and cultural contributor

• Gurinder Chadha – Film director and long-time 2 Tone fan

---

What the Documentary Covers

2 Tone: The Sound of Coventry explores:

• The Birth of a Movement
  How late-70s Coventry birthed a hybrid of Jamaican ska, punk, and new wave, setting the stage for a new British cultural voice.

• The Politics of the Dancefloor
  2 Tone’s response to racism, unemployment, and rising tension in Thatcher-era Britain. Music became a vehicle for inclusion, protest, and pride.

• The Labels & Legacy
  A look at 2 Tone Records and its impact beyond music—spanning fashion, identity, and a new British aesthetic.

• Timeless Anthems
  Tracks like “Ghost Town,” “Too Much Too Young,” and “On My Radio” serve as the heartbeat of the documentary’s message: rebellion, unity, and joy in the face of hardship.

---

Conclusion

The 2 Tone movement wasn’t just about music—it was about a shared identity, resistance, and expression. In a time of racial unrest, it brought Black and white youth together in mosh pits and record stores, pushing back against division through basslines and brotherhood.

---

BONUS 10 MIN DOC

---