Scottish sound systems
Scotland's roots sound system story starts in Edinburgh with Messenger Sound System, founded in 1987 by Stevie from Dundee after studying the London sounds. It still holds a monthly session at The Bongo Club on its own custom pre-amp. Edinburgh is also home to Mighty Oak Sound, established in 2008 in the Borders, and Electrikal Sound System, a bass collective formed in 2009 with a 20kW rig; both play the city's Wee Dub Festival alongside Messenger.
In Glasgow, Mungo's Hi Fi (2000) became one of the best-known sounds in Europe, and its influence runs through the next generation: James Whelan apprenticed with Mungo's before starting Hometown Sound System and Raggamuffin Records.
Still playing
- Mungo's Hi FiGlasgowStill playing
Glasgow sound founded in 2000 by Tom Tattersall and Doug Paine; runs the Scotch Bonnet label (2005). Albums include Sound System Champions (2009).
- Messenger Sound SystemEdinburghStill playing
Scotland's original roots sound, founded in Edinburgh in 1987 by Stevie from Dundee after studying London's sound systems. Runs a long-standing monthly session at The…
- Mighty Oak SoundEdinburghStill playing
Edinburgh-based roots and dub collective whose hand-built sound system was established in 2008 at Roberton near Hawick. Founders Jofis and Ben have collected vinyl and…
- Electrikal Sound SystemEdinburghStill playing
Edinburgh bass collective formed in 2009, with a 20kW-plus rig built with the Welsh DIY speaker builders Stable Audio. Runs nights at The Bongo Club with residents and…
- Hometown Sound SystemGlasgowStill playing
Glasgow sound led by James Whelan (Rub a Dub Rocker), who apprenticed with Mungo's Hi Fi in 2012 and ran Walk n Skank at The Berkeley Suite before starting Hometown.…
Possible matches
- Crucial RootsGlasgowPossible match
Glasgow sound playing traditional roots reggae; supported Channel One with Ramon Judah.
Ran a sound, chatted on one or carried the boxes? Add your sound system to the register.