1981, and Birmingham explodes. Dante, in love, wanders into a riot. He finds himself in a new world, surprising, dangerous, but full of opportunity.

A funeral brings together different sides of Dante's family – Irish rebels and Jamaicans – and reunites him with his cousin Bardon, who can sing.

There's no escape from the past. Skinhead Tyro seeks out Dante to avenge his beating, and Special Branch target Bardon and see an opportunity to use Gregory.