THE ENGLISH BEAT plus Very Special Guests - The TWIST OFFS

The English Beat has performed multiple times in the past here at The Kent Stage, always before an enthusiastic crowd. Founded in Birmingham, England, in 1978, their music fuses Latin, ska, pop, soul, reggae and punk rock. Their signature style has helped them pave a career that has spanned across decades, continents and everything a band has to go through to stay in this rigorous industry. After originally only performing together for a four year span, a 20 year hiatus seemed to be the end for The British Beat as it’s called in Australia, before returning in 2003 for a sold out one-off gig at Royal Festival Hall. With Dave Wakeling leading the US version of the group, the band has continued to tour worldwide since reforming in 2006.

Current Lineup Dave Wakeling - Lead Vocals/Guitar Matt Morrish - Sax/Vocals Kevin Lum - Keys/Vocals Minh Quan - Keys/Vocals Brian "Nucci" Cantrell - Drums/Vocals Antonee First Class - Toaster Chuck Elder - Bass/Vocals

Quotes


"... [Dave] Wakeling and his crew played 90 minutes worth of hits, deep cuts, some General Public chestnuts and a few new songs… every song was met with recognition and applause." – River Front Times

"[The English Beat are] more popular now than ever." – San Francisco Chronicle

[Dave Wakeling] has assembled an incredible band and is playing his hits with the same raucous enthusiasm that made The English Beat one of the biggest acts of the New Wave Era… Every time they play, The Brew [San Luis Obispo, CA] is packed to the gills with an audience bouncing in unison." – SLO New Times

"People were spilling out the doors by the time [English Beat] went on stage and the palpable joy was in the air when they started… With lyrics about unity, peace, love and partying, and a beat that’s guaranteed to get you out of your seat, their music will always be dancetastic." – The New York Examiner

[The English Beat continues to take] on 2 tone, ska, reggae and new wave, still dishing out on issues of strife and discontentment at times, but always with a happy, danceable tune… drawing large audiences and still has a growing fan base" – San Gabriel Valley Tribune

"[Dave Wakeling of The English Beat] is a musician who seems to genuinely enjoy performing, and even those new to the Beat couldn’t help but get swept up in the infectious brand of "happy" music, as one put it." – Napa Valley Register

"As always, the English Beat's sound is a driving blend of ska, punk, rock and reggae that's made for dancing." – Daily Local News