New York State of Ska will make its debut this summer, bringing ska veterans and newcomers to four cities across New York.
The package tour features The Abruptors, Girth Control, Ben Basile and The Doomstompers, with each stop rotating the bill so the hometown artist headlines their city. Come ready to move. These acts know how to keep a crowd dancing.
Featured Artists
The Abruptors are a Buffalo-based ska band full of heart and plenty of dance beats. Since forming in 2015, the band’s sound has grown into a lively mix of ska, reggae, soul and rocksteady. The band is currently promoting its latest release, Everything You Know Is Wrong, with songs about mental health, navigating disaster and conversations that matter most.
Girth Control is a ska-punk band from Albany known for catchy hooks, humor and singalong choruses. Formed in 2014, the trio continues its never-ending mission to have as much fun as humanly possible. More than a decade later, that sense of fun is still at the heart of the band’s sound.
In addition, Ben Basile arrives on the lineup with years of experience touring across six continents. The Hudson Valley bassist, educator and composer has performed around the world, spent more than a decade with Big D and The Kids Table and helped found The Poughkeepsie Jazz Project. In May 2025, he released his debut solo album, Benergy.
Finally, Queens is in the house with The Doomstompers. Formed in 2025, the five-piece packs the borough’s grit into an organ-forward sound shaped by Jamaican ska, reggae, rocksteady, Bad Brains, Beastie Boys and MF Doom. Their debut album, Take A Beat, arrives June 12 through Bad Time Records.
Tickets and additional information are available here.
New York State of Ska Tour Dates
Friday, Aug. 14
No Fun, Troy
Doors: 7 p.m. | Show: 8 p.m.
$15/$20
Saturday, Aug. 15
Area 54, Buffalo
Doors: 7 p.m. | Show: 8 p.m.
$15/$20
Friday, Sept. 25
The Broadway, Brooklyn
Doors: 7 p.m. | Show: 8 p.m.
$15/$20
Saturday, Sept. 26
Kaal Rock Park, Poughkeepsie
Show: 4 p.m.
Free!
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