Steel Pulse Tour Dates and Upcoming Concerts
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On tour
Yes
Followers
219,532
Category
Reggae - Roots - Dub
Concerts
Nov
09
Holo Holo Music Festival 2024
Tacoma
Tickets
Nov
24
Audio
São Paulo
Tickets
Nov
29
Circo Voador
Rio De Janeiro
Tickets
Dec
27
Culture Room
Fort Lauderdale
Tickets
Dec
28
Culture Room
Fort Lauderdale
Tickets
Dec
30
Brooklyn Bowl
Brooklyn
Tickets
Dec
31
Brooklyn Bowl
Brooklyn
Tickets
Jan
25
One Love Festival 2025
Papamoa Beach
Tickets
Jan
31
50th Anniversary Tour
Sydney
Tickets
Feb
01
50th Anniversary Tour
Tyagarah
Tickets
Feb
02
50th Anniversary Tour
Newstead
Tickets
Mar
09
50th Anniversary Tour
Norwich
Tickets
Mar
11
50th Anniversary Tour
London
Tickets
Mar
13
50th Anniversary Tour
Bristol
Tickets
Mar
14
50th Anniversary Tour
Birmingham
Tickets
Mar
15
50th Anniversary Tour
Manchester
Tickets
Mar
19
50th Anniversary Tour
Amsterdam
Tickets
Mar
20
50th Anniversary Tour
Utrecht
Tickets
Mar
21
50th Anniversary Tour
Eindhoven
Tickets
Mar
23
50th Anniversary Tour
Köln
Tickets
Mar
25
50th Anniversary Tour
Köln
Tickets
Mar
26
50th Anniversary Tour
Fribourg
Tickets
Mar
27
50th Anniversary Tour
Winterthur
Tickets
Mar
28
50th Anniversary Tour
Paris
Tickets
Mar
30
50th Anniversary Tour
Barcelona
Tickets
Mar
31
50th Anniversary Tour
Madrid
Tickets
About Steel Pulse
Steel Pulse was formed in 1975 in Birmingham, England, specifically the inner city area of Handsworth. The founding members were schoolmates David Hinds (the primary songwriter as well as the lead singer and guitarist), Basil Gabbidon (guitar), and Ronnie "Stepper" McQueen (bass). All of them came from working class West Indian immigrant families, and none had much musical experience. They took some time to improve their technical proficiency, often on Roots inspired material by the Wailers, Burning Spear and several other prominent Jamaican artists. McQueen suggested the group name, after a racehorse, and they soon fleshed out the lineup with drummer Steve "Grizzly" Nisbett, keyboardist/vocalist Selwyn "Bumbo" Brown, percussionist/vocalist Alphonso "Fonso" Martin, and vocalist Michael Riley.
Steel Pulse initially had difficulty finding live gigs, as club owners were reluctant to give them a platform for their "subversive" Rastafarian politics. Luckily, the punk movement was opening up new avenues for music all over Britain, and also finding a spiritual kinship with protest reggae. Thus, the group wound up as an opening act for punk and new wave bands like the Clash, the Stranglers, Generation X, the Police, and XTC, and built a broad-based audience in the process. In keeping with the spirit of the times, Steel Pulse developed a theatrical stage show that leavened their social commentary with satirical humor; many of the members dressed in costumes that mocked traditional British archetypes (Riley was a vicar, McQueen a bowler-wearing aristocrat, Martin a coach footman, etc.). The band issued two singles -- "Kibudu, Mansetta and Abuku" and "Nyah Love" -- on small independent labels, when they then came to the attention of Island Records after opening for Burning Spear.
Steel Pulse's first single for Island was the classic "Ku Klux Klan," which happened to lend itself well to the band's highly visual, costume-heavy concerts. It appeared on their 1978 debut album, Handsworth Revolution, which was soon hailed as a classic of British reggae by many fans and critics, thanks to songs like the title track, "Macka Splaff," "Prodigal Son," and "Soldiers." Riley departed before the follow-up, 1979's Tribute to the Martyrs, which featured other key early singles in "Sound System" and "Babylon Makes the Rules," and solidified the band's reputation for uncompromising political ferocity. That reputation went out the window on 1980's Caught You, a more pop-oriented set devoted to dance tracks and lovers rock. By that point, Steel Pulse was keen on trying to crack the American market, and went on tour over Island's objections. Caught You was issued in the States as Reggae Fever, but failed to break the group, and they soon parted ways with Island.
Steel Pulse moved on to Elektra/Asylum, which released an LP version of their headlining set at the 1981 Reggae Sunsplash Festival. Their studio debut was 1982's True Democracy, a generally acclaimed set that balanced bright, accessible production with a return to social consciousness. It became their first charting LP in America, making both the pop and R&B listings. The slicker follow-up, Earth Crisis, was released in 1984 and featured producer Jimmy "Senyah" Haynes subbing on guitar and bass for founding members Gabbidon and McQueen, both of whom left the group by the end of the recording sessions. They were replaced by guitarist Carlton Bryan and bassist Alvin Ewen for 1986's Babylon the Bandit, another Haynes-produced effort that ranked as the group's most polished, synth-centered record to date. It featured the powerful "Not King James Version" and won a Grammy for Best Reggae Album.
In 1988, Steel Pulse released State of Emergency, their most explicitly crossover-oriented album yet. They also contributed the track "Can't Stand It" to the soundtrack of Spike Lee's classic Do the Right Thing. In 1991, they released another heavily commercial album, the Grammy-nominated Victims, which featured the single "Taxi Driver." Backing up the song's views, Steel Pulse filed a class-action lawsuit against the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission, charging that drivers discriminated against blacks and particularly Rastafarians. Founding member Fonso Martin left that year, reducing Steel Pulse to a core trio of Hinds, Nisbett, and Brown. Their backing band still featured Ewen and was elsewhere anchored by guitarist Clifford "Moonie" Pusey, keyboardist Sidney Mills, trumpeter Kevin Batchelor, Saxophonist Jerry Johnson and Trombonist Clark Gayton.
The 1992 live album Rastafari Centennial marked the beginning of a return to the group's musical roots, and earned another Grammy nomination. The following year, they performed at Bill Clinton's inaugural celebration, the first reggae band to appear at such an event. 1994's studio album Vex completed Steel Pulse's re-embrace of classic roots reggae, though it also nodded to contemporary dancehall with several guest toasters and a digital-flavored production. 1997's Rage and Fury continued in a similar vein, and was nominated for a Grammy. In 1999, the group released another collection of live performances, Living Legacy.
Fast forward a long seven years since their previous album, Rage and Fury, Steel Pulse would return yet again, this time with African Holocaust, and yet again have their ranks dwindled. Core members David Hinds (vocals, rhythm guitar) and Selwyn Brown (keyboards, backing vocals) are the only ones to remain from the band's original line-up, but they more than hold their own and they're joined by a deep roster of supporting musicians, a list too long to list. As always, the music is what's most important, and on that count, this Steel Pulse lineup indeed makes the mark. Granted, it did take them seven years to get the album out, but still it won a Grammy Awards Nomination for Best Reggae Album of the year. There's really not too much else to say about African Holocaust. Longtime fans will know what to expect. Newcomers should know a few things: above all, Steel Pulse are known for performing well-written, Afrocentric songs that are rebellious without being negative or inflammatory, and though the band membership has changed over the years, the type of songs hasn't, nor has the steady move away from dancehall that was apparent on the band's previous album. the message and music remain true to the band's principles and vision.
Steel Pulse is one of Britain's greatest reggae bands, in terms of creative and commercial success. Steel Pulse started out playing authentic roots reggae with touches of jazz and Latin music, and earned a substantial audience worldwide. Their 1978 debut, Handsworth Revolution, is still regarded by many critics as a landmark and a high point of British reggae. By the late '80s, Steel Pulse had won a Grammy and were working full-fledged crossover territory. They subsequently returned to a tough-minded, rootsy sound and have added touches of dancehall and hip-hop along the way.
Follow on Bandsintown
Genres
Reggae - Roots - Dub
Band members
Amlak Tafari - (Bass), David Hinds - (Vocals Guitar), Selwyn Brown - (Keyboards, Vocals), Wayne C# Clarke - (Drums)
Photos
What fans are saying
Samuel
This was my first time at concord music hall, the venue it’s self was amazing, and the bands were 110% on point and sounded perfect!!! I would highly recommend these bands and this fine venue.
Concord Music Hall
Chicago, IL
Aug 29, 2018
Lauren
Love them, this is my 2nd time seeing them and it was amazing. The room was small and I was about 40 ft from them. They are always so fun and loving. ❤️
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
Atlantic City, NJ
Jun 25, 2023
Ras
Irie Vibration, enjoyed every second of the show! InI was blessed to take a picture with brethren Steven Jacobo (Tribal Seeds), much Love and RaspeCt Steel pulse +Tribal seeds ✊
Concord Music Hall
Chicago, IL
Aug 30, 2018
Lisa
It was my first time seeing still post I've seen Mystic vibration a few times I had the best time hadn't been out in two years waiting for more shows
Kenan Auditorium
Wilmington, NC
Mar 20, 2022
Poppapolis
Mighty Birmingham UK rockers Steel Pulse reggae band performance at the Stony Pony summer Fest in Asbury Park, NJ was super. Amplified by: POPPMusic.net via: Poppapolis America @poppapolis
Stone Pony
Asbury Park, NJ
Sep 01, 2018
Steel Pulse Tour Cities
Brooklyn, NY
Tacoma, WA
São Paulo, Brazil
Fort Lauderdale, FL
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Fribourg, Switzerland
Barcelona, Spain
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Paris, France
Winterthur, Switzerland
Sydney, Australia
London, United Kingdom
Madrid, Spain
Newstead, Australia
Bristol, United Kingdom
Norwich, United Kingdom
Eindhoven, Netherlands
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Manchester, United Kingdom
Utrecht, Netherlands
Frequently Asked Questions About Steel Pulse
Concerts & Tour Date Information
Is Steel Pulse on tour?
Yes, Steel Pulse is currently on tour. If you’re interested in attending an upcoming
Steel Pulse concert, make sure to grab your tickets in advance. The Steel Pulse tour
is scheduled for 26 dates across 20 cities. Get
information on all upcoming tour dates and tickets for 2024-2025 with Hypebot.
How many upcoming tour dates is Steel Pulse scheduled to play?
Steel Pulse is scheduled to play 26 shows between 2024-2025. Buy
concert tickets to a nearby show through Hypebot.
When does the Steel Pulse tour start?
Steel Pulse’s tour starts Nov 09, 2024 and ends on Mar 31, 2025.
They will play 20 cities; their most recent concert was held in
Tacoma at Tacoma Dome and their next upcoming concert
will be in Tacoma at Tacoma Dome.
What venues is Steel Pulse performing at?
As part of the Steel Pulse tour, Steel Pulse is scheduled to play across the following
venues and cities:
2024 Tour Dates:
Nov 09 - Tacoma,
WA @ Tacoma Dome
Nov 24 - São Paulo,
SP @ Audio
Nov 29 - Rio De Janeiro,
Brazil @ Circo Voador
Dec 27 - Fort Lauderdale,
FL @ Culture Room
Dec 28 - Fort Lauderdale,
FL @ Culture Room
Dec 30 - Brooklyn,
NY @ Brooklyn Bowl
Dec 31 - Brooklyn,
NY @ Brooklyn Bowl
2025 Tour Dates:
Jan 25 - Papamoa Beach,
Bay of Plenty @ Tauranga Mainfreight Transport
Jan 31 - Sydney,
Nsw @ Metro Theatre
Feb 01 - Tyagarah,
NSW @ The Green Room Byron
Feb 02 - Newstead,
QLD @ The Triffid
Mar 09 - Norwich,
United Kingdom @ UEA LCR Norwich
Mar 11 - London,
United Kingdom @ Roundhouse
Mar 13 - Bristol,
ENG @ Bristol Beacon
Mar 14 - Birmingham,
United Kingdom @ O2 Institute Birmingham
Mar 15 - Manchester,
ENG @ Albert Hall
Mar 19 - Amsterdam,
North Holland @ Paradiso
Mar 20 - Utrecht,
Netherlands @ TivoliVredenburg
Mar 21 - Eindhoven,
06 @ Effenaar
Mar 23 - Köln,
Germany @ Die Kantine
Mar 25 - Köln,
Germany @ Die Kantine
Mar 26 - Fribourg,
canton de Fribourg @ FRI-Son
Mar 27 - Winterthur,
25 @ Salzhaus
Mar 28 - Paris,
09 @ L’Olympia
Mar 30 - Barcelona,
CT @ Sala Paral·lel 62
Mar 31 - Madrid,
Comunidad de Madrid @ Sala La Riviera