The London International Ska Festival 

**The London International Ska Festival** returns to the capital for it’s last edition this coming Easter, 6th-9th April 2023, for it’s 35th anniversary! Once again celebrating ska music and it’s journey through rocksteady, reggae, dub, 2 Tone and beyond, with 100 bands, singers & DJs plus fans from around the world.

**Day 1**  
**Christopher Ellis’ tribute to Alton Ellis**

**The Altones**

**DJ Oxman**

**DJ Wassie One**

**plus more tba**

**Day 1** opens with a headline performance from the sensational **Christopher Ellis** paying tribute to his father, and one of Jamaica’s greatest ever singers - Alton Ellis.

Alton Ellis’ work is amongst the greatest to ever come out of Jamaica. Although his career started with recording Rhythm & Blues and phenomenal ska cuts with The Skatalites at Studio One, such as Mouth a Massy, it was the rocksteady era where Alton shone and became second to none. Hits like; Ain’t That Loving You, You Made Me So Very Happy, Willow Tree, Girl I’ve Got A Date, Dancecrasher, Cry Tough, Rocksteady and Breaking Up is Hard to Do made him Jamaica’s number 1 singer. In the early years of The London Intl Ska Festival Alton Ellis played numerous times and was rightly a festival favourite.

Christopher Ellis started his musical career touring and singing around the world with his father. It soon became very clear to all that he’d inherited his father’s timeless voice and charisma. Today, Christopher is one of the UK’s biggest talents and superb artist in his own right. He has continued to tour the world, worked with reggae royalty - Stephen Marley, the Marley family and Sugar Minott, and been taught by one of the greatest!

Joining him on the bill are newcomers **The Altones**, who star members of UK ska stalwarts - Intensified in their line up and blend soul, rocksteady, boss reggae and ska to fantastic effect. DJs include two of the finest revival DJs in the country, **Oxman** (Soul Jazz/Dub Vendor/Soho Radio) and **The Great Wassie One**. Their combined knowledge of Jamaican music and collections is hard to beat!

Plus more to be announced including a legendary JA artist.

***Free entry for London Int’l Ska Festival 2023 wristband holders***

This is an 18+ event

229 The Venue

The London International Ska Festival Day 1

Still Go a Dance

Christopher Ellis

DJ Oxman

Gigs

London

**The London International Ska Festival** returns to the capital for it’s last edition this coming Easter, 6th-9th April 2023, for it’s 35th anniversary! Once again celebrating ska music and it’s journey through rocksteady, reggae, dub, 2 Tone and beyond, with 100 bands, singers & DJs plus fans from around the world.

**Day 2**  
**Susan Cadogan**

**Ranking Ann**

**DJs Heidi Ellis, Diana Light, Naoko The Rock, Texas Ranger and more**

**Youth Downbeat sound system**

**Day 2** of the festival continues with an all-female line up for our Woman’s Day in the main room of 229, and features a headline performance from reggae legend **Susan Cadogan**, famed for her work with Lee Scratch Perry including the chart hits ‘Hurt So Good’ and ‘Fever’. Joining Susan on the bill will be a rare show from the vital female toaster - **Ranking Ann**, who’s ground breaking career sorted on London’s Black Rock sound system in the late 70s and who’s socially conscious, militant style on songs such as; Feminie Gender, Kill The Police Bill, Liberated Woman, Right To Fight and Immigration Plan place her up there with the very best of pioneering UK MC’s.

Plus more to be announced!

***Free entry for London Int’l Ska Festival 2023 wristband holders***

This is an 18+ event

The London International Ska Festival Day 2

Ranking Ann

Susan Cadogan

**The London International Ska Festival** returns to the capital for it’s last edition this coming Easter, 6th-9th April 2023, for it’s 35th anniversary! Once again celebrating ska music and it’s journey through rocksteady, reggae, dub, 2 Tone and beyond, with 100 bands, singers & DJs plus fans from around the world.

**Day 3**  
**Freddie Notes**

**Phoenix City All-stars**

**Roddy Radiation & The Skabilly Rebels**

**Wrongtom meets Ragga Twins & Pama Int’l in dub**

**Zen Baseballbat**

**Mighty Ruler sound system**

**DJs Paddy M (Pressure Drop), Funkdub & more**

**plus more tba**

**Day 3** of the festival continues with gigs and club nights in both rooms of 229 Great Portland Street, London. It stars Trojan Records legend - **Freddie Notes** joining **Phoenix City All-stars** for an exclusive UK show. Mr. Notes career is incredible. Not many can cite Little Richard, Dizzy Gillesepe, Ben E King, Studio One, The Rolling Stones, The Kinks and James Brown in their musical journies! His recordings for Trojan Records culminating in the global hit Montego Bay, cemented him in reggae history and as the resident dancer at Count Suckle’s 1960’s Cue Club he became lauded as one of the most exciting performers in the capital!

***Free entry for London Int’l Ska Festival 2023 wristband holders***

This is an 18+ event

The London International Ska Festival

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