Half Past Two
Southern California ska with sunny keys and a charismatic frontperson — pure feel-good, third-wave optimism with real songcraft.
Half Past Two is a ska band from Southern California, working in the horn-driven third-wave tradition with elements of faster, harder skacore. Their arrangements pair upstroke guitar and keyboards with a brass section, and the songs lean toward melodic, uptempo material rather than straight punk aggression.
The band formed in 2006 out of Orange County's ska scene, coming up alongside the horn bands that built the region's reputation. Their sound later found company in a looser grouping of newer ska acts sometimes called New Tone, artists updating third-wave sounds with harder edges and different reference points.
Half Past Two first linked up with the label Bad Time Records for the 2020 compilation Ska Against Racism. That relationship grew into a full-length album, Talk Is Killing Me, produced by Reade Wolcott of the band We Are The Union.
The record builds on the band's ska-punk roots while pushing in two directions at once, more aggressive in places and more introspective in others, with lyrics addressing heavier, more grown-up subject matter than their earlier work.
Festivals Half Past Two is playing
Half Past Two at a glance
What festivals is Half Past Two playing in 2026?
Half Past Two is booked at 1 festival: The Fest 2026.
When does Half Past Two play at The Fest?
Sunday, October 25, 2:40 – 3:10 PM at Heartwood.
Where is Half Past Two from?
Half Past Two is from Southern California.
What kind of music does Half Past Two play?
Half Past Two is tagged ska.
Also on these bills
The Planet SmashersCatbiteA Wilhelm ScreamAgainst All AuthorityAlgernon CadwalladerBear Vs. SharkBouncing SoulsThe FlatlinersHey MercedesHome FrontI Am the AvalancheThe Impossibles
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