The final Saturday evening of the Rye Arts Festival saw Folkestone-based ska band Intensified getting the crowd swaying, jumping and arm swinging to the off-beat guitar rhythms, pulsating bass and energetic horn section, from the very first number.
Formed in 1990 the band is one of the county’s longest running original ska bands playing 60s ska, rocksteady and reggae and have played alongside legends Prince Buster, Dennis Brown and Alton Ellis.
The dance floor was packed for the whole set with the band playing many of their own songs including The River, Walk Like an Astronaut, Deadpan Joe, Troubled World, More Pressure, and in homage to the legendary pioneers of ska, The Skatalites, a version of their instrumental track, Salt Lane Gal.
The audience was given an extra treat with Geoff aka DJ Jah Leveller, from Grammar School Records, an absolute aficionado in reggae and Jamaican music, on the decks. Spinning a fantastic selection, he had people on their feet dancing even before the band came on stage.
Steve Harrington and the band enjoyed the evening as much as the audience. “We had great fun, it was a really nice gig – a good venue, top crowd – warm and appreciative from the first song and, rare these days, very little talking or phones out during our set.
“Big shout out to the organisers, volunteers, sound and light guys, ticket buyers and of course to Geoff, Jah Leveller, playing some wonderful old school Jamaican sounds. Really warmed up the crowd. Hopefully we can come back sometime next year.”
A joyous, high-energy and happy evening. We hope they do too!
Many of Intensified’s songs can be found on Spotify and Bandcamp. Their latest album is called Hang Fire.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .