The Sonic Railroad: Tracing Solidarity Through Music

Noah Totten, a musician who performs a fusion of trad and jazz music as redbrd, will present a seminar that uncovers the hidden roots of both ancient and contemporary music, and how they reveal evidence of trans-continental solidarity and organisation from the years BC to the present day. Noah will specialise in the music of his ancestors, teaching the history of ancient West African and African-American griot music and its multiple interactions with the pagan Irish bardic tradition throughout time. He will explain how seemingly distant forms of music are usually interlinked, and will discuss the reasons why that knowledge has been hidden and chased out of our collective consciousness. And by whom.

“To the souls working to create solidarity in their local communities: you are not only creating something necessary for the present day, but honouring an ancient tradition of sharing knowledge that our ancestors worshipped through song.”

Programmed as part of The State of Belfast exhibition. The State of Belfast uses Grenfell by Steve McQueen as a stepping off point to address the inherent injustices and inequality as well as issues of race and poverty which are inextricably linked to the Grenfell tragedy. The State of Belfast explores how these same conditions exist in Belfast and how we might collectively address them.

This national tour of Grenfell is being coordinated by Tate in collaboration with the partner venues and is made possible thanks to support using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and from Art Fund. Each presentation will be free to visit and will be accompanied by a public engagement programme of talks, workshops and community events supported by the Grenfell Foundation.

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