Ska and punk bands set for show at the NEC
FOUR of the best ska and original punk bands are performing a special outdoor show in Birmingham next year.
The Beat, Buzzcocks, The Selecter and Stiff Little Fingers will perform at the NEC on May 27 – but it will be outside by the lake.
It follows the success this summer of The Specials and Toots & The Maytals playing in the same space, organised by the people behind the Slam Dunk Festival.
The Beat formed in Birmingham in 1978 and had hits at the height of the ska boom with songs like Mirror in the Bathroom, Tears of a Clown and Can’t Get Used to Losing You.
Joining frontman Ranking Roger is his son, Ranking Junior AKA Matthew Murphy.
Buzzcocks were one of the original punk bands with hits like Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve), while Stiff Little Fingers were the first act to reach the top 20 on an independent label with songs like Alternative Ulster.
The Selecter were one of the leaders of the 2 Tone scene in Coventry with the likes of Three Minute Hero, Missing Words and On My Radio.
Pauline Black, of The Selecter, says of the gig: “Who doesn’t enjoy a punky ska and reggae party? The Selecter most definitely does! This lineup will be like playing with old friends.”
Roger Ranking, of The Beat, says: “We have had the pleasure of sharing the stage with The Selecter for a while now and it makes for a great evening. It’s fantastic to also be playing with Stiff Little Fingers and The Buzzcocks as they were influential to The Beat’s first sound and certainly got me jumping up and down back in the day.”
The bands will come together during the May Bank Holiday next year to play Leeds, Hatfield and then Birmingham.
Tickets cost £40.