🎶 The Equators join The Skegness Reggae & Ska Festival 2026 ❤️💛💚

British Ska & Reggae Heritage Comes to the Skegness Seafront

We’re proud to announce that The Equators will be joining the line-up for the Skegness Reggae & Ska Festival 2026, bringing true British ska and reggae heritage to the Lincolnshire coast.

Formed in Birmingham in 1977, The Equators are one of the UK’s original ska-reggae bands — rooted in the sound system culture, two-tone energy, and Jamaican musical legacy that helped shape British reggae as we know it today.

🌍 A True Part of the UK Reggae Bloodline

Founded by brothers Donald, Leo and Rocky Bailey, the sons of Jamaican immigrants to England, The Equators emerged during a crucial moment in UK music history. Blending ska, reggae, soul, and pop sensibilities, they stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the pioneers of the British ska movement.

Their raw, energetic live shows soon caught the attention of David Robinson, President of Stiff Records — the legendary label home to Madness, Elvis Costello, and other groundbreaking UK artists. Impressed by their powerful performances and soulful innovation, Robinson signed The Equators to Stiff Records, marking a major moment in the band’s journey.

🎤 From Desmond Dekker to the Skegness Stage

The relationship with Stiff Records began with The Equators backing Jamaican ska-reggae icon Desmond Dekker — best known for Israelites and 007 (Shanty Town) — on his Black and Dekker album. This connection firmly placed The Equators within the global reggae and ska lineage, bridging Jamaican foundations with British innovation.

Fast-forward to 2026, and that same energy, history, and authenticity arrives at the Skegness Reggae & Ska Festival, where generations of reggae and ska fans come together by the sea.

🌴 What to Expect at Reggae Skeggy 2026

When The Equators take the stage in Skegness, expect:

• Classic ska-reggae rhythms with deep roots

• Authentic British reggae heritage

• A live show full of energy, soul, and history

• A perfect link between 1970s UK ska and today’s festival culture

Their appearance is a celebration of the UK reggae bloodline — from the sound systems and clubs of Birmingham to the seaside stages of Skegness.

🎟️ Tickets On Sale Now

🎫 Earlybird & General Tickets Available

The Skegness Reggae & Ska Festival is a 3-day independent celebration of reggae, ska, rocksteady, and sound system culture, held in the classic seaside town of Skegness, Lincolnshire.