Breaking the Silence: Pirate Radio, Black Media, and Voices of Resistance (15*)
Rebel Radio
This programme dives into how Pirate Radio was framed and documented in the '80s and early '90s, as a wave of 'illegal' stations rose to fame.
We move between two key documentaries offering contrasting takes on the rise of Pirate Radio. A 1996 special edition of BBC’s First Sight focuses on Kool FM, featuring footage from the iconic Kool Skool club nights. It frames the debate as a clash between local youth and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), capturing the tensions around so-called illegal broadcasting.
In contrast, a 1984 episode of Channel 4’s Bacchanal, a series spotlighting Black arts in Britain, offers a different lens. It shifts away from narratives of criminalisation, instead presenting pirate radio as a vital form of Black artistic expression, interwoven with the work of other Black British artists and musicians.
Together, these films reflect how Pirate Radio was framed during its emergence and reveal a shifting UK mediascape in the 1980s and '90s.
This is one of two screenings presented as part of Rewinding the Airwaves: An Archive Mixtape of Pirate Radio and Black Media.
With thanks to the BFI National TV Archive, Matthew Harle and Ian Greaves.
Ticket prices
Students £11
Unwaged £11
Over 60s £11
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Cinema 2
Location
Barbican Cinema 2 & 3 are located on Beech Street, a short walk from the Barbican’s Silk Street entrance. From Silk Street, you’ll see a zebra crossing that will take you across the road to the venue.
Address
Beech Street
London
EC2Y 8DS
Public transport
The Barbican is widely accessible by bus, tube, train and by foot or bicycle. Plan your journey and find more route information in ‘Your Visit’ or book your car parking space in advance.
We’ve plenty of places for you to relax and replenish, from coffee and cake to wood-fired pizzas and full pre-theatre menus
Access
Cinemas 2 & 3 are located at Beech Street, a short walk from the Barbican Centre’s main Silk Street entrance. There are a couple of steep, dropped kerbs and an incline to negotiate between the two sites. Level access from Beech Street.
Mobility
Each auditorium has three permanent wheelchair spaces (two in the third row and one in the front row) and 153 fixed seats with capacity for a further three spaces in the front row. Access to each auditorium is up a ramp. There are also a number of seats with step-free access.
Assistance dogs
Assistance dogs may be taken into the cinema – please tell us when booking to ensure your seat has enough space. If you prefer, you may leave your dog with a member of the foyer staff during the performance.
Hearing facility
An infrared system for hard of hearing customers is provided in each auditorium; headsets or neck loops can be collected from foyer staff. The ticket desk counter is fitted with an induction loop.
For more access information, please visit our Accessibility section.
