SHORT BIO

We are The Downsetters, an originals UK Ska and Reggae band. Combining the feel and rhythm of Jamaican music, the energy of Dance, and the attitude of Punk, our heavyweight set of razor-sharp tracks and unique Ska Fusion sound has seen us become a festival and live show favourite throughout the UK and Europe.

Our 12-year history has seen us produce three consecutive performances at the world-famous Glastonbury Festival, Boomtown Fair, multiple European tours, major UK Ska and Reggae festivals, as well as various supports slots for Ska legends such as The Beat, Bad Manners, The Dualers, Neville Staple band (The Specials), Lee Thompson (Madness) and more!

FULL BIO

It’s not often an act comes along with a truly unique demeanour standing out incomparable to the rest of the landscape. Yet Ipswich’s very own Ska and Reggae giants The Downsetters are one of these rare gems, offering a totally exclusive brand of Ska Fusion and Dynamite Reggae packed with enough energy to divert a lightning strike back into space! Influenced as a collective by all eras of Ska, Reggae, Dub, Punk, and even Heavy Metal…they have pioneered and championed an unmatched style and sound that takes the best bits from each culture turning into one almighty extravaganza!

Since lighting the Ska Fusion firework in 2011, The Downsetters very quickly became a hometown favourite playing all major local events and festivals, as well as headlining the UK’s biggest free music event – Ipswich Music Day in the bands second full year. It didn’t take long for the firework embers to start covering the rest of the UK, earning the Downsetters a well-earned place on the UK Ska Scene stage. Rapid popularity growth continued paving the way for performances at major UK festivals Glastonbury & Boomtown, support slots for legends Bad Manners, The Beat, Neville Staple band (The Specials) & The Lee Thompson Ska Orchestra (Madness).

More recent years have seen the rise of the Ska Fusion wave throughout Europe with multiple European Tours and Festival shows taking place in France, Germany, Belgium, Poland, Austria, Czech Republic, and Slovakia! Not only have they become a dominant force on the live stage, there is a backlog of studio releases that demonstrates the bands capabilities and talents from a songwriting and production perspective. Three album releases including the debut ‘We are now leaving the future’ / ‘The Asylum Hotel’ / ‘Chainsaw Lullabies’, as well as multiple single releases and limited-edition live albums. 2024 is poised to be a special year with the band marking the announcement of the eagerly anticipated fourth studio album.

It’s fair to say that the World Heavyweight Champions of Ska Fusion are simply unmissable and guarantee to leave the audience in a state of euphoria. If live music with the energy of three phase electricity is for you, look no further!

5

ABOUT

VIDEO

MUSIC

Commercial Break (Down)
Dodge The Bullet
Do You Believe?
El Chupra Cabra
Bullshit Bingo
Chainsaw Lullabies
Downstown
Cool Down
Regeneration
Plastic Fantastic
Error Code 404
The Asylum Hotel (Check In)
Mango Rock!
Are You Reggae?
Wanted
Who? What? Why?
Another Day in Paradise
Ska Fusion
Queen & Country
Long Drop
No Burn No Shine
Fake$ 'n' $nakes
The Asylum Hotel (Check Out)
 
4

SHOWS

2023

  • 18th February 2023 / The John Peel Centre, Stowmarket
  • 7th April 2023 / The London International Ska Festival
  • 21st – 25th June 2023 / Glastonbury Festival, The Rocket Lounge Stage
  • 9th July 2023 / Bures Festival, Essex
  • 5th August 2023 / Reggae on The River, The Steamboat (sell out)
  • 6th August 2023 / Smoke and Fire festival, Royal Ascot
  • 23rd September 2023 / The Cambridge Corn Exchange
  • 17th October 2023 / Norwich Arts Centre
  • 30th Oct – Nov 4th 2023 / European Tour
  • 22nd December 2023 / The Golden Hind, Ipswich

2024

  • 21st March 2024 / Uzine Club – Rennes, France
  • 22nd March 2024 / Zik n Roll festival – Boussay, France
  • 23rd March 2024 / Le Harve F.C Supports Club – Le Harve, France
  • 12th April 2024 / John Peel Centre – Stowmarket, UK
  • 12th May 2024 / Ipswich Corn Exchange – Ipswich, UK (The Dualers Support)
  • 2nd June 2024 / Birmingham International Ska Festival – Birmingham, UK
  • 21st June 2024 / Norwich Arts Centre – Norwich, UK
  • 7th July 2024 / Ipswich Music Day – BBC stage, Ipswich, UK
  • 13th September 2024 / Folkstone Skabour Festival – Folkstone, UK
  • 14th September 2024 / Low Collective Festival – Ipswich, UK
  • 5th October 2024 / Norwich U.E.A – Norwich, UK (The Dualers Support)
  • 7th November 2024 / Bannermans - Edinburgh, UK
  • 9th November 2024 / Glasgow 02 Academy – Glasgow, UK (The Dualers Support)
3

GALLERY