The Selecter - Classic Ska / 2-Tone

July 13th 2024

Derby, Summer Sessions, UK

***1/2

Seem them while you can!!!

(Derby - Summer Sessions Festival)

In the centre of England, Derby hosted its second TK Maxx - Summer Sessions Festival on the weekend of the 12th – 14th of July. It ran Friday to Sunday with Sunday having the times rescheduled as revellers (and acts) were clearly going to be torn between music and football. The venue for the festival is under the big top in Markeaton Park, which really made a great venue for a selection of the charts biggest acts.

The Selecter ***1/2 had the crowd jumping, even though many probably do not remembering the 2-Tone outfit from the 80’s and their distinctive style. A style that with Madness, The Beat and The Specials, helped define a sound and a new generation of Punk's and Rockers. A long with the new sound, the image of The Selecter also changed fashion... with a lot of famous acts using influences from them even now in 2024. The Selecter bring out so many great memories for a lot of people with songs like 'Avengers', 'On my Radio' and 'Too much Pressure' all classic songs

And they sound as good as they have always, playing their back catelogue to perfection, and giving the audience exactly what they want. Pauline Black has the same energy as she did in the 80's, and everytime she moves round the stage she is electric.The Selecter have a busy summer, they will be at Rewind and Sunshine festivals to name but two.I believe if you have the oppertunity to see a classic band while they are still playing, take it... I missed out on so many bands I wanted to see.

Review by Faye Stacey and Michael Bennett and Photos by Faye Stacey (View from the Pit)