Steel Pulse 

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Singapore, Singapore Change
  1. Jan

    25Arrow right icon

    2025
    Tauranga, New Zealand

    One Love Festival

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Upcoming concerts (5)

  1. Sep

    19

    Little Rock, AR, US

    First Security Amphitheater

  2. Sep

    20

    Tulsa, OK, US

    Greenwood Cultural Center

  3. Sep

    20Arrow right icon

    North Adams, MA, US

    FreshGrass Music Festival

  4. Nov

    9Arrow right icon

    Tacoma, WA, US

    Holo Holo Music Festival

  5. Jan

    25Arrow right icon

    2025
    Tauranga, New Zealand

    One Love Festival

Biography

  • Steel Pulse formed in Birmingham, England, UK and is well known for their roots reggae music. They are critically acclaimed for their political take on music and were the first non-Jamaican band to receive a Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album.

    Steel Pulse formed in 1975 and is looked at as one of the most important British reggae bands. The band was known for their Rastafarian and protest-minded beliefs. The band’s music consists of an upbeat reggae sound with elements of Latin and Jazz music. Despite the band’s sound varying from punk music, their music was well received by the punk community in the UK and they toured with well-regarded punk acts such as The Stranglers and XTC.

    Eventually the band started to tour with bands closer to their style of music like Burning Spear. The band soon caught the attention of Island Records, who signed them to a record deal. Their debut album “Handsworth Revolution” was released in 1978 and was considered a milestone album for the growth of British reggae. The album was a great critical and commercial success. The album reached the No. 9 position on the British charts and contained the singles “Ku Klux Klan” and “Prodigal Son”. The success of the album gained the band an opening slot on Bob Marley’s tour as well as gave the band an opportunity to headline their own shows.

    After the band released two more successful albums, “Tribute to the Martyrs” in 1979 and “Caught You” in 1980, they parted ways with Island Records and signed a deal with Elektra Records. The group released their album “True Democracy” in 1982, which showed the band returning to more political roots as well as a more light-hearted sound. The album peaked on the Billboard’s Top Pop Albums chart and contained the single “Worth His Weight In Gold (Rally Round)”. The band continued with their political tone in their music with the release of their 1984 album “Earth Crisis”.

    For the band’s next album Island Records urged Steel Pulse to take a more pop oriented direction with their next release. In 1986 the group released their album “Babylon the Bandit”, which was well received critically and commercially. The album contained the hit single “Not King James Version” and received the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album. In 1988 the band switched labels and released their album “State of Emergency” through MCA Records. The album was more advanced in production quality compared to the band’s previous albums and blended rap elements with reggae. The band’s 1991 album “Victims” followed in the same style as the band’s previous album and gained them a Grammy nomination in the Best Reggae Album category.

    In 1997 the band released the album “Rage and Fury”. The album is considered one of the band’s politically heaviest albums with songs like “The Real Terrorist” and “Black and Proud”. The album was also well received, reaching the No. 4 spot on the Billboard Top Reggae Album chart as well as receiving a Grammy nomination. The band’s 2004 album “African Holocaust” was also well received and contained guest appearances by Damian Marley and Capleton as well as a cover song of Bob Dylan’s “George Jackson”.

    Steel Pulse’s music has also appeared in several films. The band contributed the song “I Can’t Stand it” to Spike Lee’s film “Do The Right Thing”. Steel Pulse is also well renowned for their live performances and has appeared at many notable reggae festivals such as Reggae Sunsplash USA, Jamaican Sunsplash, and Northern California annual Reggae on the River Festival.

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Live reviews

  • I have been a huge Steel Pulse fan since I got their live CD back in the early 1990’s. I think they are one of the best Reggae bands ever. I know most of their songs and love to see them live. This concert did not disappoint.

    They opened as usual with their hit political song “State of Emergency” which was a protest song against White South African oppression. They then did their hit song “Roller Skates” and the classic “Steppin Out”. The audience was very fun and all were die hard Steel Pulse and reggae fans. They ended their show with an encore of “Rally Round the Flag” which is an anthem for Pan African Freedom and unity. The band sounded great and are not showing their age.

    They put on a great show and it was a lot like the recordings I have heard of them live from 20 years ago. I also like the fact that they are a political band and are not afraid to stand up to oppression and speak out for social justice. You do not see that today in many of the current bands. They are more concerned about making money and bowing to corporate America.

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    By Anonymous
  • The Afro-Caribbean settling in Birmingham seemed to inspire a number of musicians in the 70s and 80s to recreate a piece of their homeland. The roots reggae band Steel Pulse are considered to be one of the most important groups to have appeared during this era and as they now approach their 40th anniversary, they continue to tour for the delighted fanbase.

    Their music was often politically charged so it resonated with the early fanbase and it is perhaps this importance that saw Steel Pulse records being passed from generation to generation. Therefore nowadays the shows consist of a whole range of audience members all here to enjoy the good vibes and reggae music. The group does not disappoint, with a variety of musicians all coming together in perfect unison to deliver those roots style sounds. The mannerism is laid back, the vibe is unified and the atmosphere is fantastic. There is no doubt that despite not being from Jamaica, Steel Pulse very much represent the island way of life and these beliefs are directly translatable through their awesome music.

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  • Steel Pulse - Still Perfect, Still at the Pinnacle, still the best!!

    If you find one person who didn’t like the show please tell me.

    I enjoyed every moment of the concert. Standing in front of the stage and watching them play was a dream come true. David Hinds is a genius, enigmatic and talented, and Amlak was very entertaining.

    I heard of Steel Pulse in the early 1980s when True Democracy was released.

    Yesterday was a chance to see them live for the first time right here in my backyard. It’s an opportunity I’d never had let slip away. I prayed to God that if His Son was returning, it shouldn’t be on September 14, 2019 because I wouldn’t be present for the roll call, and my prayer was heard and answered.

    Afunya.

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  • Show was great. Only wish they played longer. They played an array of their greatest hits along with some of the new stuff. David had the crowd jamming from beginning to end. Entire band was full of energy. Very happy to see that band consisted of the same guys I've been following on utube concert videos. It was great that they finally came back to Charleston SC. They were here over 20 years ago.....and I saw them then also. It amazes me that after all this time they still are at the top of their game. I AM A FAN FOR LIFE. I really love those guys.

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  • This is definitely a moment I wish could have been frozen in time. What more can I say, Steel Pulse is a living legacy. The music is timeless. It's amazing & a little sad all at the same time that concepts they've shared through this music are still relevant in the world decades later. I appreciated having the opportunity to see Steel Pulse live, hope they come back to Minneapolis soon (or I'm in a city they happen to be putting on a performance). Bless Up!

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  • Well...its STEEL PULSE; one of the most iconic roots reggae band ever! The venue was a little different than what we have seen in the past, but Steel Pulse got the crowd dancing as they always do. I was able to meet Amlek "the am-BASS-ador" Tafari before the show making the experience even more special. If you like root reggae and do not know about Steel Pulse, then you are missing out. Steel Pulse is the best remedy for that bluesy feeling.

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  • Original!!!! Steel Pulse put on a reggae jam show!!!!! David Hines voice still strong and smooth......Band well tight....Bredda David even had a horn section which niced up the already tight sound system!!!!! Took my son to his first roots show and was happy he enjoyed it!!!! Good roots show inna da area gettin less and less frequent!!!! Better check em while u can!!!!! Give thanx S Pulse!!!! Love up.....

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  • Great Performance!!!!! David Hines vocals on point.....band was tight!!!!! just wished they would have went further back in their catalog of hits......and performed longer....crowd seemed to be unaware of The greatness and history of group!!!!! Would like to see them in a smaller more intimate venue with a more knowledgeable audience.......love Steel Pulse......truly

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  • Went to the venue in Philly. Doors open at 7:00 concert st 8:00. Had to wait outside till 8:15 concert started at 10:00. Was not happy with the delay but in the end Steel Pulse gave a great concert. Can't wait to see them again!

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  • Great show, just wish it would've lasted longer with some more old tracks and no acoustic songs either. The venue is an awesome place , Fillmore security isn't too bad on smokers and beers aren't too overpriced.

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Past concerts

  1. Sep

    15

    Kahului, HI, US

    Maui Arts & Cultural Center

  2. Sep

    14

    Kailua Kona, HI, US

    Kbxtreme

  3. Sep

    13

    Honolulu, HI, US

    Tom Moffatt Waikiki Shell

View all past concerts

Steel Pulse tour dates and tickets 2024-2025 near you

Want to see Steel Pulse in concert? Find information on all of Steel Pulse’s upcoming concerts, tour dates and ticket information for 2024-2025.

Steel Pulse is not due to play near your location currently - but they are scheduled to play 5 concerts across 2 countries in 2024-2025. View all concerts.

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