MassConcerts Announces Inaugural CRANKING & SKANKING FEST: With BossToneS, Toots & the Maytals, Fishbone, Pietasters, Craft Beer Garden & More!

MassConcerts and The Mighty Mighty BosStoneS proudly announce the inaugural CRANKING & SKANKING FEST, an all-day, outdoor festival featuring favorites in ska, punk, reggae and soul, including The Mighty Mighty BossToneS, Toots & the Maytals, The Bouncing Souls, Fishbone, The Pietasters, Big N*E*R*D & the Kids Table, Planet Smashers, Buster Shuffle, Doped Up Dollies, and more.

The general admission inaugural festival takes place Saturday Aug 25, 2018, Outdoors at the Palladium, located at 261 Main Street, in Worcester, MA. Doors open at 2pm. The all ages festival tickets are $49 and are available online at: https://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1691410?utm_medium=bks

When asked about the origins of this new festival, frontman Dicky Barret explained "I've had the idea since we played Lollapalooza in 1995. Since then, combined with our playing The Warped Tour over many summers, we decided to show Boston some summertime love. I'm all about family so it's the family vibe in general combined with bands I love playing terrific music. Expect it to be a lot of fun and a really great day filled with tremendous music."

About the line-up he shares "you never know what you're going to get from Fishbone but always look forward to pure and unfiltered entertainment. Canada's Planet Smashers never disappoint. Big N*E*R*D and The Kids Table are anxious to show the uninformed just how they've achieved Boston Ska Legend status. It's important to be there on time to see Buster Shuffle from London. We've been touring around with them lately and they are brilliant."

"We were glad to introduce the first outdoor festival at The Palladium," Barret says. "Worcester is a classic working-class New England city that historically loves its rock and roll. They welcomed this idea and The Mighty Mighty BossToneS with open arms."

Craft Beer Garden

In addition to the all-day, multi-artist live concert, The Cranking & Skanking Fest will feature a craft beer garden with select tastings, showcasing area brewers including Berkshire Brewing Company, Castle Island Brewing Company, Citizen Cider, Clown Shoes Beer, Greater Good Imperial Brewing Company, Jack's Abby, Nauti Seltzer, Rhinegeist Brewery, RiverWalk Brewing Company, Spencer Brewery, and Wachusett Brew.

While We're At It (2018, Big Rig Records), was released in June, the BossTones' first studio album in ten years. Produced by Tim Hutt, Barrett describes the collection as "angrier than expected. It's an honest record. In this climate I can't just say, 'Hey, let's all be cheerful and put on our ska shoes.'" Barrett went on to explain how the current climate in politics is a driving force behind its poignant and at times, heated sound: "It feels like unhinged hatred. And the wheels are coming off, but not fast enough for me. For me the whole thing is just lies on top of hatred on top of really stupid thinking. So yes, all that is going to get into the music. It has to."

While We're At It is available digitally via iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Spotify and Apple Music. Double LP (on green and cream vinyl) and CD available via Bosstones' online store at www.bosstonesmusic.com and at all good record stores.

BossToneS' Upcoming August U.S. Tour Dates

August 17 Buffalo Canalside Buffalo, NY

August 19 Phoenix Concert Theater Toronto, ON

August 21 The Vogue Indianapolis, IN

August 22 House of Blues Chicago, IL

August 23 House of Blues Cleveland, OH

August 25 Palladium Outdoors Worcester, MA

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