Supernova?! More like a Total Eclipse of the Sun!
Lynval Golding will be performing at this year’s Supernova Ska Fest! - photo by kim moenich
YESSSSS!!! The wait is nearly over for one of the most anticipated events of 2026—the incredible lineup that is 2026!, and I We’re packing our houndstooth swimsuits and headed to Hampton, VA, this coming weekend for the annual ska pilgrimage! This year’s lineup is completely out of this world—and I'm and am ready to don my creepers and get to skankin’!
The king of ska himself, Junior Francis will be on hand all weekend long! - photo by kim moenich
Started in 2014 by two ska-loving sweethearts, Tim and April Receveur, Supernova is an homage to all things ska. You’ll see flags waving, hear horns blowing, and revel in all things two-toned. They’ll be merch galore, with authors selling their books, clothing companies out in full, and live DJ sets spinning all your favorite tunes. And it’s on the beach, so beach balls will be flying and coolers will be keeping us hydrated, for a completely chill vibe unlike any other fest you’ll attend this year.
Really can’t wait to get to dancin’ with Catbite. - photo by kim moenich
While all of that is definitely a reason to head to Fort Monroe, the biggest pull for me this year is the lineup. Geez, where do I even begin?! I could start with my absolute heart, the one, the only Lynval Golding of The Specials, being backed by a band you all know I love, The Aggrolites! While this will be my fourth time seeing Lynval and The Aggrolites, it will simply never be enough. The hole left in Specials aches my musical heart by the passing of Terry Hall, and the subsequent end of The Specials aches every day, but getting to see Lynval carry on the legacy of the band he helped create certainly helps. And I will take every opportunity afforded me to see him perform, especially when it’s with my friends, The Aggrolites!
The Aggrolites know how to get the party started, especially with Lynval on the mic! - photo by kim moenich
It’s also been a minute since I last saw Catbite, The Slackers, and The Pietasters, all of whom will be performing this year. As will Jackie Mendez, whose new album and tour I covered earlier this year.
Jackie Mendez will have us all on our feet at Ft. Monroe! - photo by kim moenich
Some of the other huge draws for me are the legendary Derrick Morgan and the incomparable Susan Cadogan. Derrick Morgan came up with other greats like Bob Marley, Desmond Dekker, and Jimmy Cliff, and he had a long-standing rivalry with the legendary Prince Buster. Morgan, who is now 86, is mostly retired from performing, so this will be a special treat! Also from Kingston, Jamaica, the great Susan Cadogan has performed with the likes of Lee “Scratch” Perry and others over her nearly 60-year career, and this will be her first time performing in several years. She’ll be backed by one of my favorites, Eastern Standard Time, and her set is not to be missed. But of all the OG’s performing this weekend, Yellowman might be the one for which I’m most excited. Often considered the godfather of dancehall, King Yellowman has been performing for over forty years, and his massive catalog contains some of my most-loved tunes. I truly never thought I’d see any of these incredible performers live, so this will be a weekend not-too-soon forgotten!
The Slackers will take the stage multiple times throughout the weekend! - photo by kim moenich
Of course my main draw is my second favorite band, The English Beat. I’ve only gotten to see them twice, so getting to see them in this special setting is going to be a real treat! You’ll find me going nuts as soon as the first notes of “Mirror In The Bathroom” hit!
Sorry, I don’t have any photos of The English Beat, but here is the super awesome Steve singing with The Pietasters! - photo by kim moenich
I’d also appreciate it if you would send energy drinks because I am hoping to stay up late to FINALLY see JER at the after show on Sunday. But I’m old, so we’ll see what happens!
One of the biggest draws for me this weekend is the new-to-the-scene A-100’s. All ska veterans, the band has exploded with their debut album. Matt Hensley from Flogging Molly (seen here with yours truly a few years back) is one of the main reasons I’ll be at the beach this year!
Regardless, this is going to be an incredible weekend of fun, sun, and soul-filling tunes. The Impossibles even got back together to knock our socks off! How can you not want to be a part of this fabulous weekend?! Tickets are still available, if you want to come crash our party- we promise to save you a spot on the (sandy) dance floor!
Help keep In Spite Magazine free of fees and corporate ads by purchasing this very ugly and highly controversial t-shirt, or any number of other very ugly and highly controversial items we have in our very ugly and highly controversial merch store over on our beautiful and not at all controversial website.