The English Beat Announced To Play Auckland

It's shaping up to be a good year for fans of early English 2-tone/ska with The English Beat,  known as The Beat in the UK, announced to play their first ever New Zealand show in August. Formed in Birmingham in the late 70s, The English Beat's current incarnation is led by Dave Wakeling with former fellow vocalist Ranking Roger forming his own arm of the band the Special Beat in the early 90s featuring members of the Specials who just played Auckland.

The English Beat
Thursday 23rd August, The Powerstation, Auckland

History and ticketing details below - here's the clip for their most recognisable song 'Mirror In The Bathroom'.

And here's a video for 'Save It For Later'.

Press Release:

Acclaimed ska band The English Beat play their first NZ show at The Powerstation on Thursday 23rd August.

Their seamless fusion of ska, punk, soul, reggae and pop produced some of the most memorable hits of the seventies and eighties, from their debut single, the infectious radically re-worked Motown cover 'Tears Of A Clown', to the more overtly political (but no less danceable) 'Stand Down Margaret'.

Their other hits include 'Mirror In The Bathroom', 'Save It For Later', 'Best Friend', 'Hands Off, She's Mine', 'Too Nice To Talk To' and 'Can't Get Used To Losing You' - bonafide pop classics all, and all of which will be dusted off at their forthcoming show.

Their beginnings in working-class Birmingham of the seventies gifted the band with a very un-pop social conscience which remains to this day. Recent tours have included the provision of half-price tickets for the unemployed .Alongside The Specials, The English Beat became a by-word for socially conscious music you can dance to.

This incarnation of The English Beat features founding member Dave Wakeling (Ranking Roger has his own version, The Special Beat) and promises to be as vital a live experience as ever. A recent review praised their 'raucous enthusiasm' which is sure to be much in evidence when The English Beat play The Powerstation on Thursday 23rd August.