SPRINGFIELD — Ska lovers rejoice.
Fans of the genre can get their fill of music at the second annual Pioneer Valley Ska Festival on Friday and Saturday at 52 Sumner in Springfield. The former church will host ska bands from all over New England, New York, New Jersey, Colorado, Georgia, Oklahoma and beyond.
Not quite sure what ska is and think you might want to give the festival a try?
Distinguished by its lively and upbeat tempo, ska, considered Jamaica’s first indigenous urban pop style, began there during the 1950s prior to rocksteady and reggae styles. It incorporates Caribbean mento, calypso, American jazz and rhythm and blues. Ska has transformed over the years from its early Jamaican roots to the 2 Tone ska revival in the UK and the punk infused third wave in the United States. Think of Madness, The Specials, Reel Big Fish, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, The Skatalites — then you have heard ska.
Headliners at the Springfield festival on Friday night are Spring Heeled Jack, The Pomps, and River City Rebels followed by Llama Tsunami, Sorry Sweet Heart, Nic and the Adversaries, Skappository, Take Warning, and The Scrub Ups. Doors open at 4 p.m.
On Saturday, doors open at noon with two stages including headliners Catch 22, Skarmy of Darkness and Sgt. Scag. Other performers include The Best of the Worst, The Abruptors, Girth Control, Futon Lasagna, The Agonizers, Threat Level Burgandy, Left Hand Hot Dog, Mega Infinity, Green Street Fiends, The Doomstompers, Ghost Tones, Follow Thru, Pop!, Fuakata, and PWRUP.
‘No other alternative’
The all-ages ska and punk festival is produced by 413ska founder Eric Coles, who produces ska/punk shows in western Massachusetts and beyond.
“We moved here from Sommerville three years ago, where I had great access to ska and punk shows, especially in Cambridge and Boston. But when we moved to Northampton, which I believed had a thriving scene, found that it really didn’t. I did go to some shows, but those venues eventually shut down, and there wasn’t much left to my liking,” Coles said.
With no other alternative, the ska fan began to realize that he would have to “do it myself,” and formed 413ska to begin booking bands for places such as JJ’s Tavern in Florence and Hawkes and Reed in Greenfield, among other sites. It all led up to last year’s one-day Pioneer Valley Ska Festival at Hawkes and Reed, which was such a success with ever 300 attending, that Coles knew he had to plan another.
“When I began looking for a venue for this year, a friend who is on the board at 52 Sumner suggested I consider the Springfield site. It looks amazing, and I like the whole idea of using a former church as a venue space. So, I’m a big fan of their idea and I love what they are trying to do by bringing artists to Springfield at an affordable cost. Their mission aligns with ours,” Coles said.
In addition to the music, there will be a food truck and an ice cream truck parked outside, and two bars inside serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic beers, as well as other beverages, including kombucha.
Parking is free and available on the street or directly across the street in the old Friendly’s parking lot.
General admission, which includes both days, is $30 with a $3.85 fee, available through Eventbrite.com or 52 Sumner’s website. Day-of admission at the door is $40 with a $4.52 fee. Children 13 and under are free.
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