Get your skank on at Ska Nation International Music Festival.
Welcoming in the Summer season, Ska Nation returns to Colac Showgrounds for a two-day spectacular across the weekend of 30 November – 1 December 2024. A favourite on the festival calendar, Ska Nation is a vibrant music festival that aims to celebrate the art of ska and all of its secondary offspring within the punk and reggae realms.
This year’s festival promises an unforgettable experience with an electrifying lineup of ska, rocksteady, punk and reggae music, international headliners, and a vibrant array of activities. The trumpets are at the ready as Ska Nation nuzzles its way to the forefront, so let’s jump into what makes the festival a must-attend.
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The significance of Ska
Ska has a rich cultural history, spawning from Jamaican roots in the late 1950’s. A melting pot of genres of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues, Ska took on its own life when taken into the hands of Stranger Cole, Prince Buster, Clement ‘Coxsone’ Dodd and Duke Reid in the 1960’s and has seen multiple reincarnations throughout the ages of pop music. First came with the 1970’s 2 Tone ska revival in Britain, the second emerged in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s which saw ska fuse to rock and punk bands, most notably popularised by Sublime, Less Than Jake, Rancid and No Doubt.
A post-third wave swept through the globe in 2017 with Captain SKA making their way into the UK charts and The Interpreters waving the flag in 2018. Whilst the resurgence was minor, a humming of ska has always been there, existing as white noise as the industry fluctuates with front-runner genres, but echoing loud in particular pockets of the music scene.
In Australia, just look at the Melbourne Ska Orchestra – the thirty piece who have steadily remained in the public domain, touring internationally and are currently on the road celebrating their 21st anniversary.
Ska Nation has championed and celebrated the genre since their inception, keeping the Australian ska scene well and truly alive. Ska Nation’s 2024 festival is telling of the calibre of active Ska bands in Australia and afar, and this year’s lineup is a global indicator that Ska is not dead.
The music
The annual international music festival held at Colac Showgrounds each year, Ska Nation is drawing from the diverse breadth of the genre this year for two days of electrifying, high-octane music performances.
The festival has secured a major international name in their headline drivers seat, Japanese punk/ska band HEY SMITH. Hailing from Osaka Japan, HEY SMITH have been growing their following since 2006 thanks to their infectious sounds and even more upbeat live shows. Dedicated to their live gigs, the band play over 150 shows per year and have launched their own outdoor festival OSAKA HAZIKETEMAZARE FESTIVAL.The six-piece are an absolutely breathless watch. In their first headline shows, the band are playing four shows in total on their trip down under including Ska Nation, touring around with two fellow Ska Nation players, Voodoo Glow Skulls and The Resignators.
From the States, Voodoo Glow Skulls illuminated the ska scene during the genres’ second wave in 1988. Packed with a punk sound and attitude, the band of Casillas brothers and multiple revolving members has stood the test of time, producing belter albums consistently since their 1995 Firme through to the 2021 Livin’ the Apocalypse.
The festival further draws from the best in Australia, including Queensland’s Sunny Coast Rude Boys, South Australia’s The Overits, New South Wales representatives Operation Ibis, Steel City Allstars and The Skarntz and Victorian victors, The Resignators, The Kittyhawks, Loonee Tunes, Admiral Ackbars Dishonourable Discharge, and The Pirateska Rebellion. The two days will also see DJ sets from Con Dodgie, Beefy and Gary Skaman.
That’s just the first lineup announcement with more to come in the leadup to the November/December dates.
The festival highlights
The Ska Nation International Music Festival is a celebration of ska culture, music, and community so naturally there is more on offer than just the undeniably satisfying selection of ska artists.
To be able to high-kick and spring your way through the mosh fuel is required. Thankfully Ska Nation always put on a culinary show with their food stalls featuring a variety of festival food favourites to keep you going.
After falling madly in love with your new favourite ska band, head over to the merch to pick up some tees, vinyls, patches for your battle jacket and more. Merch from previous years is still listed on their website for purchase, including items from The Resignators. Head here to pick up a piece.
Finally another unique festival highlight is the Poster Exhibition. Explore a unique exhibition showcasing vibrant and artistic music posters. If you’ve ever seen the Voodoo Glow Skulls artwork, you’ll be sure to see some fantastic graphics lining the walls of this Ska Nation attraction. Additional exciting activities and attractions are still to be announced. Keep your eyes peeled.
Colac community
Ska Nation is one of the longest running and most significant music festivals to make its way to Victoria’s Western District. The farming and foresting town of Colac remains home to the music festival, with Ska Nation being a major event on their yearly calendar. Located only two hours from Melbourne and one hour from Geelong, Colac is a stunning backdrop to the festival, with accommodation on offer throughout the weekend. More information on accommodation options can be found here.
Ska Nation is always a standout event in the Australian live music festival circuit.
Keep your eyes peeled for further announcements and updates, and purchase tickets to the 2024 edition here.
