Desert Island Dissent with Linton Kwesi Johnson

Join legendary poet and activist Linton Kwesi Johnson for Desert Island Dissent — a powerful in-conversation event exploring art as a force for resistance.

In this special event, chaired by Professor Mykaell Riley, Linton will consider the music, poetry and political works that have most profoundly shaped his life and activism. Drawing on his experiences of 1970s Britain, the rise of the National Front and the cultural resistance that followed, he will reflect on the moments that forged his voice and defined decades of struggle.

From dub poetry to political literature, the evening will explore the enduring power of creative expression to confront injustice, challenge dominant narratives and inspire collective action. At a time when old ideologies are resurfacing and reactionary politics are gaining ground, Linton’s perspective offers a vital reminder that culture can provoke change — and that resistance has its own soundtrack.

An evening of reflection, performance and urgent conversation with one of the most influential political voices of our time.

Linton Kwesi Johnson
The award-winning reggae poet and political activist was born in Jamaican 1952 before moving to London in 1963. He studied at Goldsmiths College, was a member of the Black Panthers and was poetry editor of Race Today, introducing new voices to the British public, including Michael Smith and Oku Onuora. In 1974, the Race Today Collective published Linton’s first poetry book, Voices of the Living and the Dead.

In 2002 he became only the second living poet and the first black poet to have his work included in Penguin’s Modern Classics series, under the title Mi Revalueshanary Fren. Penguin continue to publish him, now in their Selected Poems series.

Linton’s first album Dread Beat An Blood was released in 1978. Since then, he has released fourteen albums made with long-time collaborator and producer, Dennis Bovell, and has been running his own record label, LKJ Records, since 1981. He is also a Trustee of the George Padmore Institute and Chair of 198 Contemporary Arts and Learning.

Professor Mykaell Riley
Prof. Mykaell Riley is a pioneering musician, academic and curator. In 2024 he initiated and co-curated the first national exhibition on Black British music with the British Library, the National Sound Archive and the Black Music Research Unit (BMRU). He is Music Director of the BBC drama Boarders (on iPlayer), currently working on series three, and Principal Investigator on AHRC-funded project Equalize, working with Young Sounds UK to research access to electronic and Black music in schools.

A founder member of the British roots reggae band Steel Pulse, Mykaell has performed, produced, managed and consulted across TV, film and theatre, achieving 11 UK Top 20s and three No.1s. He founded the Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra—Britain’s first Black pop string section—and has composed widely for BBC One/Two, ITV and Sky.

He established the BMRU in 2004, co-authored landmark jazz reports, and has secured over £1m in competitive research funding. Awarded the AHRC “Bass Culture” grant in 2016, he led research on Jamaican music’s impact in Britain, championed the Grime Report that informed policy change in 2017, and produced the Bass Culture exhibition (2018) and film (2019).

Mykaell serves on the academic board for the London Museum and Leeds Arts University, and is a trustee of Tavaziva Dance.

Date: Thursday 28th May

Time: 7pmVenue: The British Music Experience, British Music Experience, Cunard Building, Pier Head, Liverpool, L3 1DSTickets: £12Photo Credit: Danny Da Costa

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Writing on the Wall