Channel One Sound System
Effortless and immersive, Channel One prove exactly why they’ve endured for over four decades.
Channel One Sound System are magnetic. Established in 1979 by Mikey Dread and his brother Jah T, Channel One carved their way into the Roots and Dub scene and, 46 years later, they remain one of the most influential names in the industry.
On Saturday night, I got the chance to speak with Mikey ahead of his set at Norwich Arts Centre, a story I’ll be telling for years to come as a devout fan of his work. Mikey’s presence offstage is just as compelling as it is behind the decks- warm, effortlessly cool, and deeply rooted in the culture he’s spent decades curating.
There’s an understated power to his demeanour, the kind that isn’t boasted, but simply felt in his easy conversation. Mikey spoke of his childhood, “growing up with sound systems from a young age”, his pride in his culture immediately evident. When I asked about his biggest musical inspirations, he was quick to point to his father, who raised him in London surrounded by music. “For me it was Pops. Pops didn’t play dub, he played Studio One, Trojan—the old school sound of the fifties and sixties.” Mikey went on to explain that when he took over in the seventies, “that’s when things started to change.”
The sound system Channel One use today was built in Colombia, Mikey’s favourite place to tour. I was curious about what makes it so special, his answer was simple: “It’s not just from the shop… you build it with your hands.” Years in the scene have gone into shaping that sound. There’s no sense of chasing trends for Channel One ,“We’ve got nothing to prove. We’ve been here too long.” Self-described as “not just a sound system” but “a global institution”, Channel One create music that isn’t just heard, but felt deep within.
Words from the man himself only heightened the anticipation for a night of dubbing in Norwich.
Playing strictly vinyl, Channel One took the Arts Centre crowd on a timeless journey, the sheer weight of the sound system carrying the experience. The room filled with people from all walks of life, united by a shared love of music and culture. Mikey moved behind the decks with the ease of a lifetime on the road, while the MC acted as a seamless bridge between sound system and crowd.
A careful balance is struck between MC overlay and letting the records speak for themselves. The MC’s voice weaves in and out of the rhythms like an instrument, adding texture without overwhelming the mix, deepening the layered experience of the sound.
By the end of the night, what lingers isn’t just the basslines, but the sense of something shared, Channel One proving that decades on, their sound system culture remains as vital and unifying as ever.
