Blog

Channel One Meets Iration Steppas at The Steel Yard, London

By Channel One

Channel One Meets Iration Steppas at The Steel Yard, London
We are so excited to announce that we're back with our first sound system show in London, with Iration steppas at The Steel Yard on August 6th. This will be a real celebration, finally the end of restrictions and a chance to play our sounds once again! The last show we held a year ago was with Iration Steppas, so it felt right that they would be the first people we would invite back!

Read more


Channel One - Boxing Day Live Stream with Rum Tasting

By Channel One

Channel One - Boxing Day Live Stream with Rum Tasting

We are so excited to announce our legendary annual Boxing Day Sound System session but an opportunity to watch the guys do their thing whilst enjoying a very special Live Rum Tasting with Rompa’s Reggae Shack.

 

For the past 11 years we have held a Boxing Day session; a chance for everyone to get together, meet their sound system family and skank off the Christmas turkey.  This has always been one of the highlights of our calendar. This year, not only are we bringing you this online but with the added excitement of a rum tasting session with a twist.

 

Hosted by Rompa’s Reggae Shack and The Duppy Share, expect reggae, award winning rum, carnival dancers, laughter, and lots of prizes, whilst at the same time attempting a world record attempt for the amount of people on an online rum tasting event at any one time. The event will be raising money and awareness for TONIC (Music for Mental Health).

 

If rum isn’t your thing, buy our online tickets to bring the Sound System vibes into the comfort of your own home. It’s been a strange year for us all but if music is the antidote, we all need it more than ever! We will playing our usual selection of dub reggae classics, exclusive dubplates and current roots tunes.  Strictly positive vibes.  Featuring our MC Ras Kayleb on the mic.

 

We look forward to welcoming you digitally or in person (COVID-19 safely). Make a selection below for which kind of ticket you’d like and have a merry little one!

 

CHANNEL ONE LIVE STREAM TICKETS: https://link.dice.fm/X8Wg1URoWbb

 

RUM TASTING EVENT TICKETS: https://www.ticketfairy.com/event/rum-tasting-online-boxing-day-world-record-attempt-26dec2020/?r=CHANNELONE

Read more


Love Saves the Day Festival 2019

By Channel One

Love Saves the Day Festival 2019

We spent a fantastic weekend at the Love Saves the Day Festival in Bristol.  Teachings In Dub booked us to play in their area for the 2 full days.

Read more


International Dub Gathering 2019

By Channel One

International Dub Gathering 2019

We're back from a mammoth trip.  A week in total, we set off last Tuesday, with a last minute port adjustment from Portsmouth to Plymouth (luckily enough we had enough time to factor in the extra time), we then spent over 24 hours on the freight ferry over to Santander, Spain...

Read more


Busy weekend with the sound system

By Channel One

Busy weekend with the sound system

We've just had a BUSY BUSY weekend.  Covered almost 500 miles in total.  Big up all who came to see us.  3 dates with the sound system, back to back.

Thursday - loaded up the van with the sound system, help from crew.

Friday - drove 125 miles to BRISTOL.  Big session on Friday night with Highrise at The Black Swan.  Great turn out and a big vibes.

Saturday - had a little lie in, after getting into the hotel room at 6am..  then hit the road and headed 180 miles to SHEFFIELD.  Happy to play with the great-sounding Sinai Sound at Hope Works.  Nice session.  Also extremely happy to have our favourite Yorkshire tea included on the rider. 

Sunday - headed down the motorway to London - another 170 miles.  Brief time at home to freshen up, before heading to our London home - VILLAGE UNDERGROUND for one of our legendary Sunday sessions.  This session, as usual was full of vibes.  

Great weekend! Thanks all for passing through..  and now time for some rest!

 

Read more


Review of 40th anniversary at Brixton Electric

By Channel One

Review of 40th anniversary at Brixton Electric

Thanks to all who came down to Brixton Electric on Friday 8th Feb to help us to celebrate the start of our 40th year!  The venue sold out, and we ended up having a total of around 1800 people passing through.  I spoke to a few who had travelled from Japan, Jamaica and New York especially to be at the event.  There were also lots of people who had made the trip over from mainland Europe to be there to help us celebrate.

The event began with Ras Kayleb and Prince Zebulion selecting for a variety of guest MCs, all of whom had been personally chosen by Mikey Dread.  Earl Sixteen, Brother Culture, Robert Dallas, Donovan Kingjay, Ramon Judah, Afrikan Simba, Robert Dallas, and live trombone played by Henry from Matic Horns.  There were also two PAs, performed by legendary singers Vivian Jones and sister Aisha.   It was great to see the audience captivated by the performers and watch much of the crowd sing along to "Lion of Judah" sung by Aisha and "Red Eyes" by Vivian Jones.

The stage performances were brought to an end by the presentation of a sound system cake, that was presented to Mikey.  Mikey spoke a few words thanking key crew members, promoters and fans for taking Channel One to where they are today.

It really was a fantastic evening, full of vibes, smiles, skanking and bass lines.  Here is some feedback from the event - 

"Friday night was the boom"

"Wicked night, blessed love Channel One"

"Thank you so much for an amazing night of dancing and good vibes.  You brighten my life and lift up my spirit."

"Historic!! Epic!! Magnificent! Some of the words to describe last night’s celebration!! Happy 40th Anniversary to the entire Channel One Family!!"

"Good night was had 🎼🎶🎵"

"Channel One crew!!! Wow! Treated us ohhh so well!!! Vibes unlimited 🔥🔥🔥 Long live Channel One Sound System" 

"Pure vibes last night what a dance 🔥"

"Give thanx to you for this great evening/night ❤💛💚 still on a buzz 😍🔊🎛"

Read more


2019 - Channel One's 40th year celebration

By Channel One

2019 - Channel One's 40th year celebration
This year, sees our 40th year celebration.  40 years since brothers Mikey Dread and Jah T (Trevor) took over the runnings of the sound system, now named Channel One.

Read more


We are Channel One

By Channel One

We are Channel One
Channel One Sound System is one of the UK’s best known and most loved
reggae sound systems. Having taken over the running of their father’s sound
in 1979, Mikey Dread and his brother Jah T took the sound to local blues
parties and dances. Mikey took the name Channel One as homage to the
legendary Channel One studio in Jamaica. In 1983, Channel One started
playing at Notting Hill Carnival, they have played at Carnival every year since.
Channel One is made up of selector Mikey Dread and MC Ras Kayleb.

Channel One play a unique selection of conscious reggae, exclusive
dubplates and uplifting steppas. Channel One’s hand built sound system
provides a rich heavyweight bass sound, which compliments their tight
selection of old and new roots music.

Channel One’s mission is “to break down barriers via reggae music”, they
have achieved this by travelling and playing to new audiences and venues all
over the world. Highlights from the last decade have included winning the
Redbull Culture Clash in 2010, (beating Metalheadz and Skream and Benga),
playing in the next round of the Culture Clash at Wembley Arena against
Major Lazer, Annie Mac and Boy Better Know in 2012 and embarking on 5
national tours with backing from the Arts Council, curating line ups including
the Twinkle Brothers, Congo Natty, Mad Professor.

For the last 3 years Channel One have held a residency at one of London’s
coolest warehouse venues – Village Underground. Youtube videos of
Channel One’s sessions there have gone viral, with hundreds of thousands of
views. Channel One has also gained online viewers via it’s monthly residency
at Giles Peterson’s award winning online station – Worldwide FM.
Channel One never fail to provide upliftment with their positive music and
message.

Read more