The beloved West Indian Centre has become Leeds’ centre of dub and reggae. Regularly hosting Subdub, one of the best nights in the city for anything from dancehall to dubstep, they have branched out this year to put on a slightly more varied array of nights.
It’s safe to say there was some general apprehension about anything other than Iration Steppas taking residence in the first room, but Mungo’s Hi Fi sound system did not disappoint. If anything, it was a more bearable take on the usual rumbling bass that we all know and love for rattling out of West Indian Centre and it felt very special to have such icons in the genre supplying their sound system to a community centre in Leeds.
The atmosphere was wonderfully communal, as we’ve come to expect from Subdub’s events, with its relaxed and friendly security and an eclectic mix of people, from the typical student crowd to the more mature dub enthusiasts local to Leeds.
Highlights came from Mungo’s Hi Fi in the Dancehall Science room, delivering a seamless set that made full use of the sound system, with MCs YT and Solo Banton keeping spirits high throughout the dance. There was a culpable and undeniable energy in the crowd.
Meanwhile in Contact’s Room 2, Pinch executed an incredible vinyl set that captivated the crowd. The combination of the intense, old-school dubstep of the second room and the driving dub resonating from across the venue was a perfect harmony that catered for everyone.
Catch the Subdub weekender happening on 2nd and 3rd December where Subdub will be playing host to Deep Medi and Bandulu amongst others which have yet to be announced – an event not to be missed.
Isobel Moloney