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 this August.
Presale tickets on sale Tue 17 April.
General tickets on sale Thurs 19 April.
