Ska band

Ska Train

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(5.0)Read all 7 reviews
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About Ska Train

Top quality experienced ska covers band hailing from Coventry, the birthplace of 2-Tone. Listen, smile, and start to move your feet!
Ska band
Coventry
Public liability insurance of £5 million

Ska Train are a top quality ska tribute band hailing from Coventry, the birthplace of 2-Tone. Their 7-piece line-up includes a fabulous horn section with awesome trombone and stunning sax, and they consistently deliver a high-energy live experience based on great music, fun, and audience participation. Ska Train’s set-list is a blend of iconic British 2-Tone classics from bands like The Specials, Madness, Bad Manners, and The Beat, along with a sprinkling of crowd-pleasing surprises to delight audiences of any age and musical interest. So far in 2024, Ska Train’s highlights have included supporting US ska/punk band Monkey on their UK tour, playing a string of sold-out shows at the award-winning Temperance Music Bar in Leamington Spa, performing a one-off gig with special featured guest Jon Read (ex-The Specials), and playing to a packed-out fund-raiser at the iconic 2-Tone Village in Coventry.

Ska Train
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5 out of 5
7 verified reviews
Satisfaction
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5.0
Professionalism
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5.0
Communication
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5.0
Punctuality
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5.0

Ska Train's Reviews

From Encore customers:

LC
Liz C
2 months ago
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5 out of 5

Fantastic

Reply from Ska Train
1 month ago

Thanks Liz! It was a fantastic party for us too! Gorgeous venue, fabulous guests - and a skanking dancefloor all night! Thanks again for having us along :)

KE
Kasia E
5 months ago
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5 out of 5

Why only 5 stars? Mike and the entire Ska Train team were absolutely brilliant! 10 out of 5 is our verdict! We couldn't wish for a better band for our party. They gave us very personal experience, were super-friendly, selected all the best floor fillers and 'conspired' with my husband to learn a song close to my heart especially for our party. Fantastic musicians. Don't look any further, get on the Ska Train now! Thanks guys, you are smashing! Kasia&Mark

Reply from Ska Train
5 months ago

Kasia & Mark it was a truly fabulous evening spent with you and your wonderful friends and family. Thank you so much for selecting us, looking after us, and for leading the dancing! And thank you for the lovely words you have written here. We give you both ten out of five as well!

From other customers:

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Evie B
2 months ago, for a Wedding in Caer Llan
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5 out of 5

Thank you, so so so much, for being the best band playing the best tunes on our special day. Everyone loved you and the venue said they would have you back in a heartbeat /would recommend to future brides and grooms wanting a ska band!

CR
Cassie R
8 months ago, for a Bar / Club / Venue event in 6 Ely St
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5 out of 5

Ska Train were absolutely brilliant, they totally smashed it. All the hits from the ska genre and more. I immediately re-booked them for April and can't wait for their return. Highly recommended!

Read all 5 reviews
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Ska Train's Song list

Night boat to Cairo - Madness
Special Brew - Bad Manners
A Message to you Rudy - The Specials
Time is Tight - Time Dimensions
Missing Words - The Selecter
You're Wondering Now - The Specials
007 (A Shanty Town) - Desmond Dekker
Walking in the Sunshine - Bad Manners
Gangsters - The Specials
Geno - Dexys Midnight Runners
Madness - Madness
10/10 - Paulo Nutini
Rat Race - The Specials
Train to Skaville - The Ethiopians
The Prince - Madness
Mirror in the Bathroom - The Beat
Poison Ivy - The Lambrettas
54-46 was my Number - Toots and the Maytals
Monkey Man - The Specials
Baggy Trousers - Madness
Too Much Pressure - The Selecter
Do Nothing - The Specials
Let's Do Rocksteady - The Bodysnatchers
One Step Beyond - Madness
Long Shot Kick de Bucket - The Pioneers
Enjoy Yourself - The Specials
Happy - Pharell Williams
It Must Be Love - Madness
Guns of Navarone - The Specials
LDN - Lily Allen
Lip Up Fatty - Bad Manners
Too Much Too Young - The Specials
Sally Brown - Bad Manners
Back to Black - Amy Winehouse
Israelites - Desmond Dekker
Ghost Town - The Specials
My Girl Lollipop - Bad Manners
The Harder They Come - Jimmy Cliff
Bankrobber - The Clash
Hands Off She's Mine - The Beat
Tom Hark - The Piranhas
Three Little Birds - Bob Marley
Nite Klub - The Specials
Tears of a Clown - The Beat

Ska Train's Prices

Last updated: 2024

Note: prices may vary based on travel distance. For an exact quote, click “Check availability”.

Standard Prices
Performance durationPrice
Up to 1 hour£875
Up to 2 hours£1050
Up to 3 hours£1750

Add-ons

DJ set
+£200
Customer questions

What do your clients love most about your performances?

This is joyous music that we are sharing! Who can stand still with this kid of thing? We love to move and sing with our audiences, and they love what we are doing on stage too! Plus, we always have some exciting song choices alongside the ska classics you know and expect.

Which venues have you performed at in the past?

2-Tone Village - in Coventry. Literally the birthplace of 2-Tone music. Temperance - in Leamington Spa. Award-winning live music venue with an incredible intimate atmosphere.

Which artists have you been most influenced by?

As well as the UK ska classics like The Specials and Madness, we showcase our love for Jamaican originals like Desmond Dekker and Toots & the Maytals.

What is the most high profile gig you've performed?

Well we have plenty of things in the pipeline, but so far playing at the 2-Tone Village in Coventry has been pretty cool!

Do you have different line-up options?

We can perform as a 6-piece if this was crucial, but that would mean leaving out one of the horns, and who would want that?!

What if my timings change after I've booked you?

Absolutely no problem at all, we are flexible, just keep us in the loop as much as possible!

Can you provide an iPod/DJ service before and between your sets?

Yes we can provide our own Spotify playlist by arrangement or, if you prefer, you can Bluetooth onto our system and play whatever music you want from your own device.

How much time do you need to set up?

About an hour. And we can usually get out in about half that.

Can you roam around while you perform?

The singer can roam sometimes and maybe the sax, but not the rest of the band, sorry.

Can I pick the songs you play from the set list?

You can certainly request specific songs ahead of time whether they are on the set list or not, especially if it is a special song for you. Picking the right song choices for the whole event is quite a tricky business though, so we will always put the final set-list together ourselves, based on all sorts of factors.

Is all of the equipment (e.g. PA & lighting) included in your quote?

Yes, everything is included, all we need is a playing area, a power source and room full of people ready to enjoy themselves!

Can you learn song requests before the event?

Yes, just let us know what you are looking for and as long as we have enough advance warning this is usually no problem at all.
Musicianship
Genres:
Tribute, 1980s era music
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Event types:
Bar / Club / Venue event, Wedding, Hotel / Restaurant event, Private event, Corporate event, Charity event, Recording session, Birthday party, Christmas party, New Year's Eve
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