London, UK
After the huge success of the return of The London Intl Ska Festival in 2011 I'm delighted to announce we will be making it an annual event.
The London International Ska Festival 2011 festured 38 bands and DJs from 11 countries, including Ken Boothe, Marcia Griffiths, Dave & Ansel Collins (reformed especially for the festival for the first time since the 1970s), James Hunter, Owen Grey, Rico Rodriguez, Lynval Golding (The Specials), Clive Chin (Randys), Hotknives and many more.
The London International Ska Festival returns on 3-6 May 2012 and promises 40 acts from around the world. Originally launched in 1988 the festival returned to critical acclaim last year and now, for 2012 teams up with Academy Events to showcase all Ska has to offer from its roots in rhythm and blues, mento and calypso, to the Jamaican originators, the progression through rocksteady and reggae, 2 Tone, US Ska-punk and right up-to-date with 21st century Ska sounds.
In this, the 50th anniversary of Jamaican Independence, headliners include island legends Dandy Livingstone (best known for his songs 'Rudy A Message To You' and 'Suzanne Beware of The Devil'), George Dekker & Jackie Robinson from The Pioneers ('Let Your Yeah Be Yeah' and 'Long Shot Kick De Bucket'), Dawn Penn ('No, No, No'), the voice of Dave and Ansell Collins - Dave Barker and Rico Rodriguez MBE.
