The Beat were and still are based in Birmingham. They released their debut single, “Tears of a Clown” b/w “Ranking Full Stop,” through the Specials’ 2-Tone label in 1979. The single went Top Ten in the U.K., and they soon struck a deal with Arista to distribute their own Go Feet label. 1980’s I Just Can’t Stop It (released by Sire in the United States) went gold in England on the strength of the single “Mirror in the Bathroom,” and the band’s ferocious performances and clever blend of personal and political lyrics made them stars.
Support from Revelation Roots
Revelation Roots are an energetic reggae and ska band from the South West and have been bouncing dancefloors for over a decade. Their infectious original roots reggae and stomping ska tunes also have a sprinkling of dub, blues and funky bass lines to add to the multi layered big sound they produce. As a regular festival band across the UK, headlining many shows, they have also shared the bill with legends such as , Aswad, The Specials, The Selecter , The Beat , Zion Train and Toots & the Maytals. Their popularity and reputation continue to grow with every performance!