Among the lineup for London International Ska Festival 2019 are an unlikely group of Italian lovelies from Bologna who have a rocksteady grip on reggae and roots rhythms that would bring rays of Jamaican sunshine to even the darkest fog-filled London haze.

A 10-piece female big band with a shared love of beer and Jamaican music from the 1960s and '70s, Le Birrette combine an elegant feel for traditional ska and rocksteady sounds with sublime harmonies to achieve their own original style that's been winning fans around the world since they formed in 2014.

Also on the bill for the Easter feast of all things ska is Lancashire likely lad and rhythm and blues legend Georgie Fame, whose love of Jamaican music played a pivotal role in establishing Rico Rodriguez and Eddie 'Tan Tan’ Thornton on the British scene by drafting them into his Blue Flames band in the '60s. Flame also played a huge part in helping to bring Blue Beat to the fore on numerous releases and also at clubs such as the Flamingo and Ram Jam.

Ska’s origins date back to Jamaican independence in the early '60s and since then the genre’s influence has spanned every corner of the globe, with London being a hotbed of activity since the beginning.

This year marks the 31st anniversary of the festival, first staged in 1988 through the hard work of founder Sean Flowerdew, who has kept it running despite considerable financial constraints for much of the last decade.

Taking place from 18-21 April at the O2 Academy Islington and aboard the Dixie Queen paddle steamer, the festival will also feature Misty In Roots, Jamaican rocksteady stars Keith & Tex and Rudy Mills, The Steady 45s from the US, Canadian Chris Murray, Masons Arms from Germany, and the Erin Bardwell Collective.

There'll also be two kings in town, with the boogie-influenced King Zepha supporting Fame on the opening night at the O2 and King Prawn stomping out on Saturday, when Le Birrette and The Indecision also take the stage.

A high volume of DJs will also be performing at the festival, with some of those lined up to take part including Wrongtom, Duke Neville, Papa Champian, Mistah Brown and Lili Rudies.

For more information visit the London International Ska Festival and O2 Academy Islington websites.