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GENRE: A fusion of ska, pop, soul, reggae and punk rock
The English Beat is a band with an energetic mix of musical styles and a sound like no other. The band's
unique sound has allowed it to endure for nearly four decades and appeal to fans, young and old, all
over the world.
When The English Beat (known as The Beat in their native England) rushed on to the music scene in
1979, it was a time of massive social and political unrest and economic and musical upheaval. This set
the stage for a period of unbridled musical creativity, and thanks in large part to the Punk movement
and it's DIY approach to making music, artists like The Beat were able to speak out and speak their mind
on the news of the day, as in “Stand Down Margaret”, things that mattered to them and the youth
culture, as in “Get A Job”, and universal matters of the heart and soul, as in their classic hits “I Confess”
and “Save It For Later”.
The Beat first came to prominence as founding members of the British Two Tone Ska movement, with
their classic first album “Just Can't Stop It” fitting squarely in that genre. Along with their
contemporaries The Specials, The Selecter, and Madness, the band became an overnight sensation and
one of the most popular and influential bands of that movement.
However, band leader Dave Wakeling never felt constrained by the movement. The band crossed over
fluidly between soul, reggae, pop and punk, and from these disparate pieces they created an infectious
dance rhythm. The band's sound continued to evolve over their three studio albums, through the
General Public era (a band formed by Dave with The Beat’s toaster, Ranking Roger), and it has continued
its evolution with the forthcoming English Beat album “Here We Go Love”, a PledgeMusic crowd-funded
album set for a 2016 release, the band's first new album since 1982's “Special Beat Service”.
Consummate showman that he is, Dave Wakeling continues to keep The Beat alive and strong, touring
the world as The English Beat with an amazing all-star ska backing band playing all the hits of The Beat,
General Public, and songs from his new album “Here We Go Love”.
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Doors 7PM // Show 8PM
General Admission is standing room only. Mezzanine is on the second floor, reserved and fully seated. For more information please contact ticketing@guildtheatre.com