Radical Reading Room Book Event | Sound System with Dave Randall
Join us for another Radical Reading Room event, hosted by Sarah Autumn.
Musicians have often wanted to change the world. From underground innovators to pop icons many have believed in the political power of music. Rulers recognise it too. Music has been used to challenge the political and social order – and to prop up the status quo.
Sound System is the story of one musician’s journey to discover what makes music so powerful. Dave Randall uses his insider’s knowledge of the industry to shed light on the secrets of celebrity, commodification and culture.
This is a book of raves, riots and revolution. From the Glastonbury Festival to the Arab Spring, Pop Idol to Trinidadian Carnival, Randall finds political inspiration across the musical spectrum and poses the question: how can we make music serve the interests of the many, rather than the few?
We’ll be joined by the author of Sound System Dave Randall and a panel of local guests.
Dave Randall
Dave Randall is a musician, producer and activist. He has toured the world playing guitar with Faithless, Dido, Sinead O’Connor and many others. He also teaches courses on guitar and the creative industries at BIMM University Bristol.
More Events
Richard Durrant: The Art of Levitation
14th May 2026 - 14th May 2026
A wonderful live music event for acoustic and classical guitar lovers and the musically curious. Featuring Richard’s original, haunting guitar music including his newly-released track…
Lino Printing with Megan Dobbyn | Beltane Mayday Special
27th May 2026 - 27th May 2026
Join us for a joyful Lino Printing workshop with one of our favourite illustrators, Megan Dobbyn. This single-date session is perfect for both beginners and…
Lino Printing with Megan Dobbyn | Pride Celebration Special
15th July 2026 - 15th July 2026
Join us for a joyful Lino Printing workshop with one of our favourite illustrators, Megan Dobbyn. This single-date session is perfect for both beginners and…
Lino Printing with Megan Dobbyn | Halloween Special
28th October 2026 - 28th October 2026
Join us for a joyful Lino Printing workshop with one of our favourite illustrators, Megan Dobbyn. This single-date session is perfect for both beginners and…
Lino Printing with Megan Dobbyn | Christmas Special
2nd December 2026 - 2nd December 2026
Join us for a joyful Lino Printing workshop with one of our favourite illustrators, Megan Dobbyn. This single-date session is perfect for both beginners and…
A Flower Is Not a Rat – A Weave of Jewish Stories As Told By Ruth Steinberg
12th May 2026 - 12th May 2026
We are delighted to welcome Ruth Steinberg to Left Bank – with a weave of Jewish stories to tell. Through music, song, poetry, clowning and…
Explore The Neighbourhood
Rhythm of the 90’s
Rhythm of the 90s are the UK’s no.1 live 90s dance anthems band! With their infectious energy, incredible musicianship, and nostalgia-filled set, Rhythm of the…
Learn MoreNaomi Wood: Monster
Naomi Wood is a spoken word performer and theatre maker, celebrating rebellion and revelling in rage whilst maintaining a healthy preoccupation with the eroticism of…
Learn MoreThe Fall and Rise of the Mölkky Bar Kids
Immerse yourself in a blazing tale of sporting splendour that began as a pub conversation gone awry. Join Leeds-based Neil Squires on the launch of…
Learn MoreDamien Lewis: SAS Who Dares Wins
Step into the hidden world of the SAS with Damien Lewis – award-winning war reporter and best-selling author – as he brings to the stage…
Learn More400 years of Historical Dancing
On 13th July 2026, Leeds marks an extraordinary milestone – 400 years since receiving its first Royal Charter from King Charles I. We will be…
Learn MoreAmazing Animated Shorts for 0-7 year-olds (U TBC)
This programme is aimed at younger kids (0-7 year-olds) but can be enjoyed by children and their families of all ages. Like childhood, animation is…
Learn MoreNorthern Guitars Cafe Bar
Bar and live music venue with a guitar shop upstairs, where you can buy new and pre-owned electric and acoustic guitars, amps and pedals, plus…
Learn MoreThe Ivy Asia, Leeds
Whether you’re looking to lunch with friends, enjoy tea for two, or book a romantic dinner with someone special, you’ll find fabulous Asian-inspired dining, show-stopping…
Learn MoreThe Chemic Tavern
We are a historic real ale pub situated in the heart of the Woodhouse residential area, just over a mile north of Leeds City Centre.…
Learn MoreThe Whitehall Restaurant & Bar
The Whitehall Restaurant & Bar offers modern British cuisine using classic ingredients to create simple yet imaginative dishes. Dishes include pasta, pizza, fish and meat…
Learn MoreNorth Brewing Co City Tap
As renowned pioneers of the British craft beer scene, North Bar in Leeds have been providing superior ales and excellent service in their popular bars…
Learn MoreWork Café, Leeds
Santander Work Café, Leeds is ‘more than a café, more than a bank…’ providing state of the art banking facilities, co-working spaces and meeting areas,…
Learn MoreQuaker Meeting House
Visitors of all faiths or none are welcome at any of our meetings. If you are looking for somewhere to worship in the Leeds area…
Learn MoreThe Yoga House Leeds
We are a cosy yoga studio in the heart of Crossgates, we are proud to be one of the first yoga studios in the up…
Learn MoreBowers Allerton Hall
Bowers Hall is in the heart of the community. The hall is used for Scouting groups, childrens holiday clubs, we would like to run senior…
Learn MoreKippax Community Hub & Library
Join for free and borrow books, eBooks, eAudio and more. We also provide help for people to get online and run events and activities for…
Learn MoreWetherby Community Hub & Library
Join for free and borrow books, eBooks, eAudio and more. We also provide help for people to get online and run events and activities for…
Learn MoreGotts Park Golf Course
Gotts Park Mansion House and home of Gotts Park Golf Club is situated 3 miles west of Leeds City centre and was formally known as…
Learn MoreAge UK Leeds
Age UK Leeds is an independent charity working in Leeds to offer support and services to older people.
Learn MoreWetherby Sports Association
WSA provides a community hub for sports clubs and societies in Wetherby that would otherwise struggle to fund a place of their own.
Learn MoreArdsley and Tingley Library
Join for free and borrow books, eBooks, eAudio and more. We also provide help for people to get online and run events and activities for…
Learn MoreSt Gemma’s Hospice
St Gemma’s Hospice is a local, independent charity and has been providing expert care to the people of Leeds for over 40 years. We provide…
Learn MoreKirkstall Educational Cricket Club
The Field of Dreams and the home of Kirkstall Educational Cricket Club!
Learn More