The Selecter

The Selecter is led by their iconic frontwoman Pauline Black OBE. One of very few women in the 2-Tone scene, she is often referred to as the Queen of Ska. Known the world over for hits including “Three Minute Hero,” “Missing Words,” “Too Much Pressure” and “On My Radio”. 2025 marks the 45th anniversary of their debut album Too Much Pressure. A new feature documentary Pauline Black: A 2-Tone Story directed by Jane Mingay had its premiere at the BFI’s London Film Festival in October followed by regional screenings with the Doc N Roll Film Festival. Based on her memoir ‘Black by Design’, Pauline tells her extraordinary life story in the same frank manner that helped shape her as an iconic, era-defining female musician. The film was shown in 60 Odeon cinemas around the UK in March and then on Sky Arts and NOW TV in April. It’s also being shown internationally at film festivals around the world. 2025 sees The Selecter play a number of shows and festivals around the UK & Europe including on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury 2025. Original drummer Charley ‘Aitch’ Bembridge plays at the current live Selecter line-up. Sadly original member Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson passed away in June 2024 after a short illness. The Selecter released their much-acclaimed new studio album Human Algebra featuring Gaps in 2023. The anarchic passion that fuelled Selecter gigs during the original 2-Tone era is still there as they continue to perform at festivals and venues around the world.