The London Intl Ska Festival is back!
The London International Ska Festival returns to the capital for it’s 31st anniversary year this Easter. Running across 4 days, 18th - 21st April 2019, it showcases ska music, it’s roots in rhythm & blues, calypso and mento, through it’s Jamaican birth and onto it’s evolution through rocksteady, reggae, dub, 2 Tone, ska punk and beyond.
Headliners Include: rhythm and blues legend Georgie Fame (who was fundamental in the development of Blue Beat in the UK), Misty In Roots, queen of lovers rock - Janet Kay, foundation reggae singer - Little Roy, rocksteady legends Keith & Tex and Rudy ‘John Jones’ Mills, London’s King Prawn, Pama International and Buster Shuffle. Plus acts from France, Italy, Germany, USA, Canada, and Jamaica.
This years we’re not only celebrating 31 years of the London Intl Ska Festival but also; 2 Tone Records 40th anniversary (on our world famous Thames cruise), Do The Dog skazine’s 30th anniversary (the worlds longest running ska publication) and Tighten Up crews 20th anniversary!
What’s more King Prawn, Pama International, King Zepha and Phoenix City All-stars are all releasing albums to coincide with the festival, which will be stocked (along with 100s of other titles and merchandise) in our pop up record shop (open to the public on Sat 20 and Sun 21 April).
This Easter come celebrate ska and all it’s glorious off-shoots, along with people from all over the world. Last year we sold to a staggering 53 countries!
Bring the family. 8 years and over are allowed into all the gigs and on Saturday 20th April Kids get free entry with a paying adult.
The festival full itinerary:
The London International Ska Festival 2019
All shows are held at O2 Academy Islington, London N1,
except *Dixie Queen paddle steamer.
Thursday 18th April 2019
Georgie Fame (doors 7pm-10.30pm)
Owen Grey, King Zepha, + DJs Greedy G and Simon Cobb
Pama International (doors 10pm-3am) - sold-out
+ DJs Alan Handscombe and Ronnie King
Good Friday 19th April 2019
*2 Tone Records 40th anniversary Thames cruise (1pm-5pm)
starring Phoenix City All-stars performing the hits of The Specials, Madness, The Beat, The Selecter & more.
Onboard the Dixie Queen paddle steamer.
Reggae Chartbusters starring Keith & Tex and Rudy ‘John Jones’ Mills
(Doors 7pm-10.30pm)
+ The Steady 45’s (USA), Chris Murray (Canada), Erin Bardwell Collective + DJs Nembokid and John Rudie
Valve sound system special (doors 10pm-3am)
On Phil Bush all valve Sounds & Pressure sound system + guest DJ Brian Kelson
Time Tunnel club night / O2 Academy Islington 2 (doors 9pm-3am)
w/ DJs Gerry Owens, Liam Curtin, Nanker Phelge and Sean Bright
Saturday 20th April 2019
Record shop open to public (2pm-6pm)
King Prawn (doors 2pm-10pm) - free entry for kids
+ Buster Shuffle, Le Birrette (Italy), Cartoon Violence, Masons Arms (Germany), The Indecision + DJ Skankin Steve
celebrating Do The Dog skazine’s 30th anniversary
Tighten Up 20th anniversary (doors 9pm-4am) - sold-out
with DJs; Gladdy Wax, Oxman, Asher G, Supa Ronns, Duke Neville, Manasseh, Jesse James, Mistah Brown, Tim P and Champian
Easter Sunday 21st April 2019
Record shop open to public (2pm-6pm)
Misty In Roots (doors 6pm-10pm)
+ DJs Tessa (The Slits) & Softwax
LISF Blues Dances starring Janet Kay & Little Roy (doors 10pm-2am)
+ DJs Keith Lawrence and Mark Professor
All ticket info available at www.londoninternationalskafestival.co.uk
