HISTORY OF THE SUPERNOVA INTERNATIONAL SKA FESTIVAL
The Supernova International Ska Festival began in 2014 in Fredericksburg, Virginia and has since moved two hours south to Fort Monroe, home to the country’s largest stone fort.
This year’s event is basically a masterclass in multigenerational heroes in ska and far, far beyond, with performances by acts such as Fishbone, Sister Nancy, the Toasters, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra and the Untouchables. There’s even a planned DJ set by Don Letts, the celebrated filmmaker and collaborator of the Clash who’s cited in the early cross-pollinations between the punk and reggae worlds.
The 2023 Supernova International Ska Festival will take place at historic Fort Monroe, Virginia on September 15-17, 2023. The festival started in 2014 in Fredericksburg, Virginia, and prides itself on mixing legendary artists with ska bands from all eras. Foundation ska musicians like Derrick Morgan, The Skatalites, and Doreen Shaffer have shared the stage with bands like The Hepcat, The Aggrolites, The Suicide Machines, The Pietasters, and The Skints over the years. It is the largest festival dedicated to ska music in the United States.
