Ska legends The Beat will shake the foundations of Bridport with a show at the Electric Palace next month, bringing with them more than 30 years worth of music experience and top 10 hits.

Formed in the working class suburbs of industrial Birmingham in England in 1978 The Beat arose at a time of high unemployment and social upheaval. From the outset the band offered messages of hope and peace with an insight into sociopolitical topics that would later alongside The Specials see them heralded as forerunners of the whole two-tone ska movement.

The Beat’s first single was the infectious cover of Smokey Robinson’s ‘Tears of A Clown’ which on release went straight into the National Top 10 at No.6. The record, an effortless fusion between a number of different musical styles such as ska, punk, pop, soul and reggae, immediately saw the band finding themselves an overnight success.

After numerous offers to return to the stage The Beat returned in 2003 for a sell out show at The Royal Festival Hall with the inclusion of Ranking Jnr taking vocal duties to an accolade of critical acclaim. With Dave Wakeling heading to the US Ranking Roger, alongside Everett Morton, Ranking Jnr and Mickey Billingham returned to their roots with deeper rhythms. The Beat are back.

The show will start from 8pm on October 4. Tickets can be obtained through Bridport TIC on 01308 424901 or online from seetickets.com