first acts confirmed for London International Ska Festival 2012

Founder and songwriter of Neol Davies with The Selecter, and the original line up of The Hotknives are the first acts to be confirmed for next year's London International Ska Festival.

Neol Davies penned a string of classic 2 Tone hits including 'Too Much Pressure', 'On My Radio', 'Three Minute Hero', 'Missing Words', 'Celebrate The Bullet' and the instrumental that sparked it all, the sublime AA-side to The Specials 'Gangsters', 'The Selecter' by The Selecter. 30 years on Neol returns with ten piece band, and a brand new singer, John Gibbons. The new line up will be playing the classic hits and Neol's new songs. Neol's Selecter are also appearing at Coventry Godiva Festival, Extalgic Festival, Earagail Festival, Off The Tracks Festival, and Bestival this summer.

The Hotknives were the highlight of this year's festival alongside world-class performances from Ken Boothe, Marcia Griffiths, Dave & Ansel's reformation and Rico Rodriguez guesting with The Trojans. Due to popular demand they will be returning next year.

Further band and DJ announcements coming very soon, including Jamaican legends, 2 Tone heros and a host of international names.

Now in it's second year the festival will take place across 3 venues (one wristband gets you into all of them) - The Brixton Academy, The Sheperds Bush Empire and The Islington Academy, in London from Thursday 3rd through to Sunday 6th May 2012.

The festival is set to highlight all that's good about the world of ska, from it's roots in American Rhythm & blues, to the Jamaican originators, through the 2 Tone era and right up-to-date with 21st century ska sounds.

Early bird tickets are priced at £99.99 for all four days, a saving of £40. To buy tickets, click here. All 3 venues welcome 14 years of age and up (under 16's must be accompanied by an adult).

Latest Updates