Ska: Last News

Madness have announced a 2025 ‘Hits Parade’ UK tour with special guests Squeeze – you can find all the details below.The veteran ska band will be wheeling out classics like ‘Baggy Trousers’, ‘House of Fun’ and ‘Must Be Love’ on their thirteen-date trek, which is set to kick off at Sheffield Utilita Arena on December 4.Making stops in Glasgow, Leeds, Newcastle, Cardiff, Birmingham and more, they’ll wrap up the tour with a special hometown show at London’s The O2 on December 20. Tickets go on general sale at 9:30am this Friday (March 28) and you can find yours here.Speaking ahead of the new tour, the band said: “We are going to be parading through your town soon…bearing glittering hits of all shapes and sizes, everyone welcome.”A post shared by Madness (@madnessband)December:4 – Sheffield, Utilita Arena5 – Manchester, AO Arena6 – Glasgow, OVO Hydro7 – Aberdeen, P&J Live9 – Newcastle, Utilita Arena10 – Liverpool, M&S Bank Arena12 – Leeds, First Direct Arena13 – Nottingham, Motorpoint Arena14 – Brighton Centre16 – Bournemouth, International Centre18 – Cardiff, Utilita Arena19 – Birmingham, Utilita Arena20 – London, The O2News of the ‘Hits Parade’ tour follows the band confirming a run of three huge outdoor shows to take place in the UK this summer, at Bedfordshire’s Tofte Manor, Dreamland in Margate and Colchester’s Castle Park.

The Specials have announced that they will be sharing a new single to honour the “fallen heroes” of ska. Find out more below.The new track is set to be shared by The Specials Family and will be titled ‘When A Light Goes Out’.

No Doubt will reform once again for the upcoming FireAid concert to benefit the victims of the devastating Los Angeles wildfires.The event was first announced earlier this month and will take place on January 30 at the Intuit Dome and the KIA Forum, and earlier this week the first wave of names were confirmed for the shows.Among the biggest names on the bill are Billie Eilish, Lady Gaga, Rod Stewart, Katy Perry, Joni Mitchell, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Sting, Stevie Nicks, Gracie Abrams and Green Day, with more acts due to be announced in the coming days. Tickets go on sale on January 22 and you can get yours via Ticketmaster and make donations here.Another name on the initial list was Gwen Stefani, but it has now been confirmed by organisers that her appearance will actually be as part of a reformed No Doubt.

Madness have announced a further major show for the summer of 2025, to take place at Cornwall’s Eden Project.Last month, the band confirmed a run of three huge outdoor shows to take place in the UK next summer, at Bedfordshire’s Tofte Manor, Dreamland in Margate and Colchester’s Castle Park. Find tickets for those shows here.Now, the veteran ska/pop group have been added to next year’s Eden Sessions, a series of musical shows at the visitor attraction and botanical gardens near St.

The Specials with lead singer Terry Hall, before his untimely death in 2022, is set to air on television.The Specials: Live From Coventry Cathedral was filmed in the band’s hometown in 2019 as part of their 40th anniversary tour over a four-day engagement at the local landmark. The band announced its release on social media yesterday (November 28).The concert film will now be screened for the first time via Sky Arts on December 20 at 9pm UK time.

Madness have announced three huge UK outdoor shows for next summer. Find ticket details below.The news follows a string of UK shows this summer, which saw them play at outdoor venues in Newcastle, Lincoln, Edinburgh, Belfast and more.Now, they’ve revealed plans for next year, with three dates over July and August.

No Doubt, has died aged 57.News of his death was shared with SPIN, and it was confirmed that the musician died following a motorcycle accident that took place in Hermosa Beach, California.Born in 1967, the musician first picked up the trumpet while he was still in school and was part of his high school band. Attending the Loara High School in Anaheim, it was here that he first met Gwen Stefani and her brother Eric.The three of them worked together on various songs back before No Doubt chose that band name. Originally, they were going by the name Apple Core, and many of the early tracks remain unreleased.As highlighted by Vice, some of his work did make it onto ‘The Beacon Street Collection’ – the second album shared by No Doubt, which was released in 1995.

The Selecter‘s Pauline Black has pledged to continue Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson’s legacy by fighting against racism and sexism.Hendrickson passed away last month at the age of 73. His death was confirmed by Black in a post shared on the band’s official social media pages.The statement said that he died after a short illness.“The world has lost a Two-Tone original, a talented musician and an absolute gentlemen.

The Selecter, has died.His death was confirmed by co-vocalist Pauline Black via the social media pages of their label Two Tone Records. The statement said that he died after a short illness.“The world has lost a 2-Tone original, a talented musician and an absolute gentlemen.

Madness have announced their very own ‘Hour Of Need’ award for fans who wish to nominate “an unsung hero in your life”.It allows fans to nominate people who they would like to thank for having been there for them or others during challenging times.The award, named after the band’s current single, will see winners receive two tickets to a forthcoming Madness concert along with travel, accommodation and a meet-and-greet with the band. They will also receive a special edition bookpack of their recent album ‘Theatre Of The Absurd Presents C’Est La Vie’, signed by the band for the person who made the nomination and the person that got nominated.

This Town – featuring Self Esteem, Olivia Dean and various original songs – has been released.Including classic covers and brand new, original compositions from the hit Steven Knight drama, ‘This Town (Music From The Original BBC Series)’ is out now via Polydor Records. You can stream the LP on all streaming platforms and purchase the vinyl pressing here.The soundtrack for the series brings together the show’s genre-wide mix of timeless anthems, original songs, and iconic hits set in the world of ska and two-tone in the early ’80s.‘This Town (Music From The Original BBC Series)’ features Self Esteem’s reimagining of Jimmy Cliff’s 1970’s track ‘You Can Get It If You Really Want’ as well as Ray Laurél’s cover of ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’.It also includes Olivia Dean’s rework of the reggae classic ‘The Harder They Come’ and Celeste’s cover of ‘Blue Moon’.The tracks performed by Fuck The Factory – the band at the heart of This Town – were created by producer Dan Carey (Fontaines D.C, Wet Leg, Been Stellar and founder of the seminal Speedy Wunderground label). Carey also collaborated with singer-songwriter ESKA and musician, novelist and poet Kae Tempest in work that adds another chapter to this vital story.1. Self Esteem: ‘You Can Get It If You Really Want’2. Ray Laurél: ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’3. Fuck The Factory: ‘Estella’4. Olivia Dean: ‘The Harder They Come’5. Fuck The Factory: ‘Birdsong’6. Fuck The Factory: ‘Pelicans’7. Celeste: ‘Blue Moon’8. Fuck The Factory: ‘Farewell To Matty And Her Flowers’9. Gregory Porter: ‘The World’s Going Up In Flames’10. Fuck The Factory: ‘This Town’11. Sekou: ‘Wonderful World, Beautiful People’“It has been a privilege to be working with Paul Whittington, Steven Knight and the entire

The Specials‘ Lynval Golding delivered a speech about No Doubt backstage at Coachella 2024 ahead of the band’s reunion show at the festival – watch it below.The group played their first live gig since 2015 at the Indio, California event last Saturday (April 13), where they brought out Olivia Rodrigo to perform ‘Bathwater’ alongside frontwoman Gwen Stefani.Prior to the career-spanning, 16-song set, Golding gave an encouraging message to the camera about Stefani and co’s long-awaited return. “I can tell you one thing, right,” the musician began.

Sublime have performed their 1991 track ‘Romeo’ for the first time in 25 years at this year’s edition of Coachella.The legendary band were initially active between 1988 and 1996, before frontman Bradley Nowell died from a heroin overdose at the age of 28.Today (April 13), the ska punk band took over the main stage at the annual music and arts festival with Nowell’s son Jakob stepping in for his father, performing at the same age his dad was when he passed.Jakob was joined by original Sublime band members Bud Gaugh and Eric Wilson for a sun-soaked set filled with all of the hits.

Gwen Stefani has spoken about No Doubt‘s plans after their upcoming reunion shows at Coachella 2024, and whether new music could be on the horizon.The band are due to play their first live gig since 2015 at the California festival this Saturday (April 13). Stefani and co.

Self Esteem has dropped the sonic new cover of Jimmy Cliff’s ‘You Can Get It If You Really Want’, shared as part of the This Town soundtrack. Check it out below.The song was shared by the Sheffield singer as part of the new BBC series which aired over the Easter weekend, and takes place in the ’80s UK, amid the two-tone ska revival.Originally released back in 1995, the song was first shared by Jimmy Cliff as part of his album ‘Many Rivers To Cross’.“Persecution you must fear/ Win or lose you got to get your share/ You’ve got your mind set on a dream/ You can get it though hard it may seem now,” Self Esteem, real name Rebecca Lucy Taylor sings in the verse, putting a modern, dance spin on the original track.Check out both the original and the new Self Esteem cover below.The first two episodes of This Town aired over Easter weekend, with Self Esteem’s reimagining of ‘You Can Get It If You Really Want’ being played from the soundtrack, as well as Ray Laurél’s new version of ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’.The series “celebrates a thrilling evolution of sound, spirit and UK culture” and is set against the melting-pot scene of the Midlands in the 1980s.

Kid Kapichi and Suggs have spoken to NME about their collaboration on the politically-motivated new single ‘Zombie Nation’, memories of late Specials frontman Terry Hall, and the struggles faced by new artists. Watch the music video first on NME below.The track is the latest taster of Kid Kapichi’s new album ‘There Goes The Neighbourhood’ – following on from the previously shared singles ‘Let’s Get To Work’, ‘Tamagotchi’ and ‘999’.

Sublime has suggested that they may record new music after the band resumed operations late last year.The band were initially active between 1988 and 1996, before frontman Bradley Nowell died from a heroin overdose at the age of 28.Sublime reformed in 2009 with Rome Ramirez on vocals and guitar. They initially toured under the Sublime moniker for seven months, before Nowell’s estate threatened to sue surviving members Eric Wilson and Bud Gaugh for misuse of their trademark, and the band then went by the name Sublime With Rome.Last year, Sublime With Rome announced their breakup upon the news that Sublime reunited to play a set with Nowell’s son Jakob on vocals.

The Specials singer Neville Staple has cancelled all his scheduled live performances due to health reasons.Yesterday (January 18), Staple’s team shared a statement that confirmed he had been diagnosed with a serious heart defect at the beginning of last month.The vocalist has received treatment at three different hospitals, and has been prescribed medication to control his symptoms. He is now in a stable condition, according to the update.“However, specialists have decided that Neville needs to take a complete rest from live performing and touring,” the message continued.

Sublime with Rome have announced that they will part ways at the end of next year.The news of their split comes after the surviving members of Sublime – Eric Wilson (bass) and Bud Gaugh (drums) – reunited to play a set with late singer Bradley Nowell’s son, Jakob, last Monday night (December 11).Held at the Teragram Ballroom in Los Angeles, the gig was part of a benefit for Bad Brains frontman H.R.Now, as confirmed in a new press release, frontman Rome Ramirez has announced his upcoming departure from the line-up – effectively bringing an end to the band.“After almost two remarkable decades, I am announcing my departure from Sublime with Rome at the close of 2024,” the statement began (via Consequence). He went on to confirm that the band will perform their previously announced run of tour dates, and following their completion he will have some solo music on the horizon.“The upcoming performances over the next year will allow us to reflect on countless incredible memories together.

Bob Marley: One Love exclusively via NME in these brand new images. The film stars British actor Kingsley Ben-Adir as the iconic reggae pioneer, and will be out in UK cinemas on February 14, 2024.Also starring James Norton, Lashana Lynch and Tosin Cole, the movie has been produced in partnership with Marley’s family. Orly Marley, daughter-in-law of the legendary singer, is an executive producer, while Marley’s wife, Rita, and his son, Ziggy, are producers alongside Brad Pitt.

Madness have announced a huge run of outdoor UK performances, set to kick off in summer 2024. Find ticket details below.Announced this morning (November 27), the new run of shows will see Suggs and Co.