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(LAST EVER) LONDON INTERNATIONAL SKA FESTIVAL: 35th Anniversary 6-9 April (2023)

Good times ahead with the news that a huge event in the reggae-related music calendar – the 35th Anniversary of the London International Ska Festival – runs this Easter from 6-9 April. Yay! But also very sad times too though since this, unbelievably, will be the last ever instalment of said festival. Boo! As ever, the event takes place across multiple venues in the capital, boasts an international line-up and the definition of ‘ska’ includes the relate genres of rocksteady and reggae – with all the latter’s attendant sub-genres from boss reggae to dub and dancehall.

Headliners for this most poignant affair include early reggae stars The Pioneers, Freddie Notes, Dave Baker, Rhoda Dakar and Susan Cadogan. A host of other ska, rocksteady and reggae luminaries will making appearances too including The Specials’ Roddy Radiation, Wrongtom, Ragga Twins and Pama International.

The festival takes place in 5 venues across the city: the 229 Club on Great Portland Street, the Assembly Hall and Garage in Islington and on the world famous Dixie Queen paddle steamer. Check below for the full-line-up.

Line-up and venues
Day 1 Thursday 6th April
Evening (7pm-1am)
Christopher Ellis tribute to Alton Ellis
The Altones
The Ranglins
DJ Oxman
DJ Wassie One
DJ Alan Handscombe
DJ Ronnie King
DJ Gig One Stop
+ more to be announced
at 229 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5PN

Day 2 – Good Friday 7th April
Daytime (1pm-5pm)
The Pioneers
DJ Miss Gemini
+ more to be announced
onboard The Dixie Queen paddle steamer, Tower Millennium Pier, London.

Evening (7pm-3am)
Rhoda Dakar & The Lo-Tek 4
Susan Cadogan & The Magnetics
Ranking Ann
The Downsetters
DJ Diana Light
DJ Naoko The Rock
DJ Texas Ranger
Youth Downbeat sound system
+ more to be announced
at 229 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5PN (7pm-3am)

Day 3 – Saturday 8th April
LISF’s daytime dance & record shop / free entry (2pm-7pm)
DJ Jet (Buster Shuffle)
+ more to be announced
at The Thirsty Scholar, 1 Park Cres, London W1B 1SH
(round the corner from 229)

Evening (7pm-3am)
Freddie Notes meets Phoenix City All-stars
Wrongtom meets the Ragga Twins & Pama Int’l in dub
Roddy Radiation (from The Specials) & The Skabilly Rebels
International Beat
Zen Baseballbat
Horsebox
DJ Paddy M
DJs Funkdub
Mighty Ruler sound system
Time Tunnel club night
+ more to be announced
at 229 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5PN (7pm-3am)

Day 4 – Easter Sunday 9th April
Early show (5pm-9pm)
The Pioneers
Dave Barker (Dave & Ansel Collins)
Glenroy Oakley (Greyhound)
DJ Paul Dixon
+ more to be announced
at Islington Assembly Hall, London N1 (5pm-9pm)

Evening (9pm-1.30am)
London Int’l Ska Festival final dance!
Solution sound system with full crew
at The Garage, Highbury Corner, London N1 (9pm-1.30am)

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