Presenters: Rita Ray and Max Reinhardt

A vibrant musical collage celebrating standout sounds from Wandsworth’s year as London Borough of Culture and the rich musical heritage that has shaped the borough over the past five decades.

The programme features highlights from the Celadon Club at the Wandsworth Arts Fringe Festival, showcasing a world of East Asian sounds, alongside performances from Wandsworth Music at the Royal Albert Hall with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, presenting a programme devised by students with disabilities.

We also revisit some of the borough’s most iconic musical moments from T. Rex to punk and rave guided by legendary local activist and community historian Geoff Simmons, who shares stories and memories from Wandsworth’s evolving music scene.

The journey continues with the remarkable story of Dub Vendor, the much-loved record shop and its influential Fashion Records label a cornerstone of UK reggae, dub, dancehall and Black British music, keeping the sound system spirit alive in Wandsworth for more than 50 years.

Presenter: Max Reinhardt

A journey through the story of folk music in the borough over the past five decades, told through the experiences of one of the UK’s most distinctive performers and songwriters, Lisa Knapp.

Born and raised in Balham and Tooting, Lisa reflects on where she first learned her craft and how her deep connection to folk music developed within the local community. Along the way, we hear archive reflections and music from the late, legendary Bert Jansch, who lived in Putney during the 1970s, alongside song extracts from influential artists including Anne Briggs, Shirley Collins, A. L. Lloyd, Martin Carthy and The Imagined Village, among others.

Lisa’s husband, producer and musical collaborator Gerry Diver, also contributes insights and reflections, adding further perspective to this rich musical story.

Presenter: Rita Ray

Rita Ray visits a range of wellbeing projects across the borough, exploring how music, creativity and community participation support mental health, connection and personal expression.

Featured projects and contributors:

Arti Prashar – Sensory Theatre Maker Arti Prashar discusses her creative practice and the central role music plays in her sensory theatre work. We hear excerpts from her at-home production Culture Box, as she reflects on how the cultural sounds and resonances of her upbringing have become powerful sources of inspiration within her work.

Sound Minds A unique and inspiring music and arts centre where all staff and participants have lived experience of mental health challenges. The organisation offers jam sessions, recording studio production, DJ workshops, choir sessions and rehearsal spaces. The programme features interviews with staff and members, live music and poetry from a jam session, and recorded tracks created by participants.

Hyelim Kim South Korean virtuoso musician Hyelim Kim shares the origins of the traditional daegeum flute and explains how her research into music and wellbeing highlights its ability to promote healing and calm for both audiences and performers. She performs the daegeum during the programme.

Oily Cart The internationally celebrated Tooting-based theatre company specialising in sensory productions for young and neurodivergent audiences. Artistic Director Ellie Griffiths explains how music is integral to creating immersive and accessible experiences. Featured performances include neurodivergent creator-musicians Kyllah Dyer (cello, The World Beneath Us, 2024), Lucy Bowen (guitar, InsideWays, 2025), and Maya Youssef with cast members from The Bounce (2014).

Community Gospel Choir – St Michael’s, Wandsworth Common Choir leader Cecelia Wickham Anderson and choir members reflect on the transformative power of singing together and the sense of community the choir has created. The programme captures the choir in full voice during a special recording session.