Riffs on Euro tour

In a few days, Maltese ska band The Rifffs, with the support of the Malta Arts Fund, will be hitting the road for a week-long European tour that will once again see them performing a number of gigs in Germany and the Czech Republic. The first date will be in Berlin’s popular Wild at Heart venue on Wednesday, where The Pikes will open for The Rifffs.

The next stop will be at Hanover, where The Rifffs will be kicking off the Weedbeat Ska/Reggae Festival on Friday. The next day, they’ll be somewhere between Leipzig and Dresden to perform on the main stage at the Radau am Stau summer festival, a two-day event organised by the Friends of Art and Culture Schmölln.

Sunday night sees the return of Malta’s finest to the Mighty Sounds Festival in the Czech Republic, which is considered to be one of the biggest alternative festivals in Europe. Apart from sharing the bill with the likes of Frank Turner, Alborosie, Mr Symarip, The Real McKenzies and The Skints, The Rifffs will also perform at The Cross Club in Prague on Tuesday as part of the festival’s after-party.

Meanwhile, work on the much-anticipated second album is well underway with an October release date pencilled in. A limited edition four-track EP featuring songs from the new album will be available during the band’s European tour, with plans to release a new single in Malta very soon.

The Rifffs are Ray Mercieca (vocals, guitar), Rayvin Portelli (guitar), Anthony ‘in-Najju’ Muscat (drums), Ivan Borg (bass), Matthew Borg (keyboards), Adrian ‘ir-Russu’ Brincat (trumpet), Mauro ‘il-Pica’ Farrugia (trombone) and Thomas Cauchi (trumpet).

For further information and gig updates or to stream The Rifffs’ music, log on to www.reverbnation.com/therifffsMT or visit the band’s Facebook page.