The London International Ska Festival returns for the last edition this Easter 6th – 9th April 2023.

Festival News

London International Ska Festival
Buster Shuffle. Photo by Chyrisse.

To celebrate our 35th anniversary The London Int’l Ska Festival returns to the capital to rejoice in all things ska and it’s glorious rocksteady, reggae, dub and 2 Tone offshoots, along with truly international fans (flying in from a staggering 26 countries).

Headliners include;  Trojan Records hit-makers – The Pioneers (Long Shot Kick De Bucket), Freddie Notes (Montego Bay), Dave Baker (the voice of Dave & Ansel Collins / Double Barrel & Monkey Spanner) and Glenroy Oakley from Greyhound (Black & White and Moon River).  Reggae superstar Christopher Ellis will be paying tribute to his father, the Godfather of Rocksteady – Alton Ellis and on Good Friday we have an all female line up Woman’s Day headlined by Rhoda Dakar (The Bodysnatchers/Special AKA), Susan Cadogan (Hurt So Good) and ground breaking female toaster – Ranking Ann.

The line up is bolstered further by exclusive performances from Roddy Radiation from The SpecialsWrongtom, Ragga Twins, Pama International, Phoenix City All-stars, International Beat (exclusive come back show), The Magnetics flying in from Italy, The Mighty Ruler sound system (a truly historic blues dance sound system circa. 1962, that has recently been restored to it’s former glory!), Solution Sound System, plus the hottest new acts and finest DJs flying in from around the world!

The festival is being housed in 5 venues across the city including; Great Portland Street’s 229 club,  Islington’s Assembly Hall and Garage and on our world famous The Dixie Queen paddle steamer (which this year stars The Pioneers).  See below for full running order, venues and times.

Tickets and full info are available at www.buytickets.at/hotshotscorcher

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The last London International Ska Festival  // 35th anniversary

Easter Weekend 6th – 9th April 2023

stars

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)

 

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Chyrisse Tabone, Ph.D.
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