ABOUT
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!
GALLERY
VIDEOS
MUSIC
SHOWS
2025
- Saturday 22nd February / Cliffs Pavillion, Southend (Dualers Support)
- Saturday 12th April / Private Event
- Sunday 4th May / The Swan, Ipswich
- Friday 9th May / Skamouth, Great Yarmouth
- Saturday 12th July / Bures Festival
- Friday 28th November / Big Ska Weekend, Devon
REVIEWS
"One of today’s most beloved British ska bands finally gets their latest album on vinyl – limited edition yellow from Grover Records! THE DOWNSETTERS are top shelf modern 2-TONE, and “CHAINSAW LULLABIES” is arguably their best release to date.
Capturing the feel of THE SPECIALS but without ripping the sound off – trombone and keys lead the way with good ol’ RODDY RADIATION influenced guitar riffs. THE DOWNSETTERS take a piece from today’s ska-punk pie, with modern chant heavy vocal breaks, occasional distortion and visits to ska-punk Hellcat related rhythms, along with “fake” radio intermissions.
All in all THE DOWNSETTERS create an excellent sound for modern times with an homage to their British 2-Tone roots. A record for all fans of great ska, whether your “old” and lived through the 80s, or “young” and got hooked on ska from 90’s punky bands. This is the vinyl release we have been waiting for since it dropped in 2020!"