The latest Catch A Fire concert will big up the 50th anniversary of two legendary sound systems, Metromedia and Saxon.

London-based Saxon, a reggae sound system, is famous for pioneering the rapid-fire “fast chat” MC style and for launching the careers of music legends such as Maxi Priest.

The sound system, founded by Lloyd “Musclehead” Francis and Denis Rowe in South London, was the first in the UK to win an international competition.

Metromedia, one of the first sound systems in Jamaica, is famous for helping to put dancehall on the map with personalities such as Peter Metro, Sky Juice and Oliver.

Catch A Fire organiser Jamal Hart, of One Love Productions, said both sound systems had visited Bermuda, with Metromedia here as recently as seven months ago.

One of Mr Hart’s fondest memories is of watching Saxon clash with Souljah 1 and OGS Genesis.

But he added that Catch A Fire was not a clash but a musical extravaganza. The concert is about recognising and honouring veteran sound systems and reggae artists.

“We believe it is important to give people their flowers while they are still here,” he said. “We have done so for the last five years. Saxon and Metromedia are natural fits because they are both celebrating 50 years in the business. That is a milestone in anyone’s lifetime, no matter what it is.”

Mr Hart said the two sound systems had paved the way for dancehall culture as we know it.

Haldane James, known as “Jimmy Metro”, took over the running of Metromedia in Kingston, Jamaica, in 1976 after the previous owner left the island.

At that time he was mainly buying a name.

“I had to purchase the equipment myself,” the 72-year-old told The Royal Gazette.

His initial set-up was modest, involving some small amplifiers. Over time, that evolved into a much larger column speaker system that could hold its own with any other top sound system in Jamaica.

“There was less competition back then because there were fewer DJs,” he said.

Mr James said Metromedia was known as a dance sound system, focused on Jamaican music.

In the Seventies, they played a lot of R&B. Then in the Eighties they shifted more to dancehall and reggae, while still mixing in R&B. “When travelling, we did soca and Afrobeats, depending on the crowd,” he said.

Metromedia’s popularity grew in the early Eighties with the arrival of Peter Clarke, known as DJ Peter Metro.

“He helped us to get popular,” Mr James said.

Peter Metro was known for his rapid-fire lyrical delivery, humour and crowd interaction. Many people credit him as one of the first dancehall DJs to perform extensively in Spanish.

Over the course of half a century, he has seen the whole music scene shift. Mr James believes that technology has lowered the barrier to entry.

“When we moved from vinyl to compact disc and then from CD to laptop, a lot more DJs got involved. Some of them actually call themselves a sound system, which they are not,” Mr James said.

Today their entourage includes Sky Juice and prominent selectors such as Oliver, alongside younger DJs they have trained. They tour globally, performing in the United Kingdom, the Caribbean and elsewhere.

“We have gone through the different eras and everything,” Mr James said. “We still have the foundation selectors. We keep a format where the Metromedia crowd is not just one set of people. We do a lot of vintage events and people still hire us. Whatever the music era is, we are able to handle it.”

He has had to rotate selectors and update the style to match changing tastes.

“We move with the time,” Mr James said. “We still have the foundation selectors like Sky Juice and Oliver Boy, and younger guys that we train.”

The music veteran said there have been a lot of ups and downs over the years.

“We have had different people coming into the business, new people and new equipment,” he said. “You have to keep improving all the time.”

This has helped to keep a wide age range in the crowd.

Mr James said there have been many sacrifices over the years to keep things going.

“Sound systems are nightlife,” he said. “It is something you have to really, really love. You are always travelling from place to place, going to meet different people. It’s a rocky road.”

He has been to Bermuda many times with Metromedia.

“Bermudians have similar vibes to Jamaicans,” he said. “They enjoy the music.”

He has no thoughts of retirement and remains heavily involved with the sound. He has stuck with it all these years out of genuine affection.

“You need dedication,” he said. “You have to really love it to stay with it because it has a lot of ups and downs.”

What keeps him going is the experience of the sound system in full flow and the crowd’s response.

“It is good when you set up that sound and you hear the whole sound system playing and the patrons are enjoying themselves,” he said. “You feel good within yourself about it, so it keeps pushing you to go on, go on, go on.”

Metromedia has a longstanding association with Saxon. Mr James recalled that Saxon was one of the sounds they played with on their first trip to England.

The two systems famously clashed in London in February 1985, alongside other notable sound systems. Today, this event is considered a classic moment in reggae and dancehall sound system history and is widely credited with helping to bring the Jamaican dancehall style to the UK.

Mr Hart said the Bermuda public were in for a wonderful treat, with both of these sound giants involved in the concert.

“People, including the younger generation, need to come out and be treated to some clean, good music,” Mr James said.

Junior Cat, Tippa Irie, Bermuda’s Souljah 1 and Metromedia selector Oliver will be performing on May 30 at CedarBridge Academy in the North Courtyard from 8pm to 3am.

This is a red, gold and green affair.

•Tickets are $65 general admission, $100 VIP and $75 at the gate, available at www.ptix.bm, Fish N’ Tings, Freshmen and Kit N’ Caboodle