THE UPGRADES were an up-beat alternative punk rock band. Mixing modern day rock influences with reggae rhythms and punchy beats, their music clearly points to a targeted audience more in touch with mainstream commercial music than just a niche market of ska or punk enthusiasts. The hints of modern pop punk, and vocals reminiscent of many "anthem-esque" type rock songs with traditionally catchy chorus's have been said to “stir up even the most stoic listener“. The Upgrades have covered a lot of tracks on the scene in the past few years, playing numerous high profile shows across the country with bands of many different genres. During the summer The Upgrades were selected to open the main stage at Europe’s biggest ska-punk festival - MIGHTY SOUNDS 2008 in Prague, and upon their return played a slot at one of Irelands biggest music festivals, Electric Picnic. They were also picked as the opening act on the Irish date of the 2006 International TASTE OF CHAOS tour, in the Olympia. Sharing the stage with such acts as Taking Back Sunday, Alexisonfire, Saosin, Anti-Flag, Senses Fail and Underoath. Other high profile shows include the Staatsforsten Open Air Festival in Germany, the Cula Outdoor Music Festival, and support slots with Canadian reggae superstars Bedouin Sound Clash, American rock/reggae band State Radio, ska legend Neville Staple (ex-The Specials), The Beat, Set Your Goals, and a successful tour of the UK. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.