How Coventry's music scene continues to change the minds of listeners across the globe - the story of 2-Tone

Written by Will Roberts

Pete Chambers (BME) described Coventry as “multicultural before we knew what that meant”. And, with 44.7% of residents identifying as being part of an ethnic minority group, it is apparent that Coventry is a home for people no matter where they are from or what they look like. This is what is at the heart of the 2-Tone movement. 2-Tone music is formed of reggae, ska and punk music. It blends the ideals of 1960s Jamaican reggae with British music from the 70s. Jerry Dammer, lead singer of ‘The Specials’ was the founder of 2-Tone records in 1979 and most bands that followed the movement were signed to the label at the time. Bands such as ‘The Selecter’, ‘Madness’ and ‘The Beat’ came together to help Dammer create a 2-Tone movement that couldn’t be stopped. However Pete Chambers (BME) also believes that it wasn’t just Coventry who felt the power that ebbed from 2-Tone, Chambers stated “Outside the West Midlands … the movement became something of a huge eye-opener, songs like "It Doesn't Make It Alright" and it's hard-hitting lyrics (Just because you're a black boy, just because I'm white, it doesn't mean you have to hate me, doesn't mean we have to fight).” Similarly, Gordon Mazvihwa (director of operations at Dhillon’s brewery, one of Coventry’s larger music venues) believes that “The Iconic 2-Tone and Ska movement was truly revolutionary as it did not only envelope Coventry, it mesmerised the whole world. Showed the progressive nature of Coventry as people of all backgrounds all over the world enjoy 2-Tone and Ska till to this date.” Local businesses still hold the values of 2-Tone close to their hearts. Dhillon’s Brewery for example has recently brought out a two-tone lager alongside their already popular Ghost Town lager, a favorite of Coventry City FC match-going fans. Gordon Mazvihwa referred to the brand as “molded by Coventry's rich history and culture”. Furthermore pointed out the fact that “As a multicultural company Dhillon's Brewery has been inspired by the 2-Tone pattern and is encapsulated in our Ghost Town Lager and the 2-Tone Black Lager. A celebration of the 2-Tone pattern and how a simple 'Cheers' of a beer can bring people together”. The 2-Tone café and simmer-down restaurant in Walsgrave are similarly 2-Tone centralised. The music movement has clear reflections in not only the name of the company but also in the décor and background music. With Jerry Dammers himself said to be a ‘fan’ of the establishment, these businesses not only encapsulate the scope of 2-Tone by the length of distance some fans travel to come and visit but also how orientated the city still is around the genre with those that gather there feeling at home. Not only were people changed, but, the music scene as a whole had to make space for the meteoric 2-Tone to leave a mark. Pete Chambers (BME) even mentioned how “It bought mixed race bands to the fore, energising a generation of would-be musicians of any colour to follow the 2-Tone example. It made it acceptable to sing about racism and intolerance and to take a stand. This was of course exemplified with the Jerry Dammers classic (Free) Nelson Mandela, probably one of the finest protest songs ever written. A song that brought Nelson Mandela’s name into the consciousness of millions of people. A proud day for 2-Tone Records, Jerry Dammers and of course Coventry.” This cry of protest was heard globally and its release in 1984 under the 2-Tone label was a response to Mandela’s arrest under the apartheid government and reached number 9 in the UK music charts. With its upbeat melodic tones, this song was not only a protest but drew off the music culture and traditions of South Africa. And, the fact a multi-racial band sang this draws together the ideas of what 2-tone held at its core. So where does this leave the future of 2-Tone? Coventry continues to until this day to celebrate the bands that made an impact and the bands themselves still bring their message to the world. Speaking to ‘Just Dropped In’ a music and record store in Coventry’s Fargo Village, they stated that “there’s still stuff in the pipeline for The Specials”. However, they also believe that this could be a rumor, with the death of Terry Hall in December 2022 (as announced by them on social media) having a major impact on the recording of their new album in America with their last recorded performance being at Coventry Cathedral in 2023. Fortunately, Coventry Cathedral has always, since its creation, symbolised rebuilding and restoration. And, whilst the band The Specials may be coming to a conclusion themselves, the message that they so beautifully put out to the world lives on. New 2-Tone music is made until this day, with bands such as Madness releasing music as recently as March 2024. In terms of the link between 2-Tone and protest movements, we still see the bond thriving. In recent times, we saw the case of Saffiyah Khan who “became a powerful symbol of passive resistance against an angry EDL member. That photograph spoke a thousand words, a young mixed race woman smiling defiantly in the face of racism she was also wearing a Specials T-Shirt on that day. She eventually got to sing with them too” – tells Pete Chambers. 2-Tone events still occur around Coventry with Gordon Mazvihwa telling us about the way they “work very closely with the 2Tone Museum and are proud sponsors. Yes, we hold an annual all day festival with the Sukhi from the 2Tone Museum. It is for a fantastic cause as it is for charity, a truly momentous day with upto seven bands playing live. It is one not to miss.” And the 2-tone museum themselves still greeting guests from across the globe, with “Just Dropped In” stating that, when you look at the booklet of names and where theyre from they travel from all around to come and see the powerful displays. 2-Tone is coventry’s greatest movement and it’s clear to see how so many hold it in their hearts to this day, the sound continues on and seems never ending, anthisesizing the lyrics from the song ‘the sound of this town’ “the band’s wont play no more”. Except they do, and in my eyes, they always will.