Lovely to see this video posted on Youtube of Banda Bacana playing a cover of the ska tune “Nostalgia” by Maroon Town. There’s nothing like live music to lift the spirits on a chilly North Wales summer day, and this weekend festival in the beer garden at Y Ring in Llanfrothen was no exception. The clouds didn’t stop the lively crowd ready for a boogie.

It was a fantastic atmosphere. Despite the weather, the audience was up for it — a joyful mix of ages dancing, laughing, and clinking glasses. Even those seated couldn’t resist tapping their feet and drumming the tables.

On stage, the Bacanas had pretty much a full line up: Ceri, Lou and Mike on percussion keeping the rhythm tight, a Jeff and Jochen horn section firing on all cylinders, plus guitar, bass and drums locking in the beat.

This was ska as it’s meant to be — live, loud, and full of heart. Check out the video below and feel the beat that turned a cloudy afternoon at Y Ring into pure sunshine.

Listen to the original – Maroon Town – Nostalgia:

Bonus points for observant pop pickers who spotted that Maroon Town’s Nostalgia is of course based on Pipeline, the 1962 hit for California surf rockers The Chantays: