By Gordon Durich
On Friday June 7, The English Beat returns to the Canyon in Agoura Hills. I can’t wait. The band fuse ska, soul, reggae and punk rock into its infectious distinctive sound.
Formed in Birmingham, England in 1978, and led by Dave Wakeling, a longtime San Fernando Valley resident, the boys are touring and making a stop at this great venue. With hit after hit, including “Mirror in the Bathroom”; “Save It for Later”; “I Confess” and the cover of Smokey Robinson’s “Tears of a Clown” I loved the last show The English Beat did at the Canyon in 2022. I loved it! Energetic, varied, fizzy and a fulfillment of catching this band at this venue, because it’s an intimate and atmospheric club with a Hollywood vibe. The Pinktastic Plastixx opened for The English Beat making the scene a party.
Don’t be fooled by bands with similar names. In the US they are known as The English Beat. In Australia, The British Beat, and in England, The Beat (there’s another band, this in the US, called Beat).
The English Beat are on tour in the US and UK. Not to be missed! They’re also playing at the Hollywood Bowl, with Vampire Weekend and Voodoo Glow Skulls on June 12 and with UB 40, on the Red Red Wine Tour at The Greek Theatre on July 31.
Upcoming shows at The Canyon Club include Ambrosia on June 16; Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, August 2 and The Motels, September 27.
Englishbeat.net
