Unforgotten Voyages rock the Empire!

Unforgotten Voyages at the Hackney Empire Theatre in June 2023 brought to a spectacular close the Grand Union Orchestra’s week-long programme of events celebrating the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Windrush from the Caribbean in 1948 and the rich legacy of the African diaspora 500 years on from the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

It was, one of the Grand Union Orchestra’s most memorable shows at the Empire, compassionate and angry, viscerally exciting and deeply moving by turns. The soaring voices, hypnotic drums, roaring brass, and fiery jazz soloists of the 25-strong Grand Union Orchestra were joined by the Caribbean-focused Hackney Empire Community Choir and a specially assembled Pan-African ensemble, whose astonishing range of percussionists provided one of the highlights of the evening.  

The show was also streamed live on CastRooms. This new, immersive way to experience music online enabled Grand Union fans to take part in the occasion regardless of their location or time zone, as though actually present in the Theatre. Feedback from the online audience included praise for the vibrancy of the performance, and delight in how well the musicianship of the artists came over.

Unforgotten Voyages was the culmination of a week of events in celebration of Windrush 75, taking place in venues across Hackney including the Mildmay Club, Hoxton Hall, Shoreditch Town Hall and a barbecue on Windrush Day in Hoxton Street Community Garden, featuring the Grand Union Orchestra All Stars, a Youth Orchestra masterclass, the Re:Generation Band and the Shoreditch & Hoxton Community Orchestra.