Victoria’s 23rd annual Ska & Reggae Festival is back for the first time in three summers and organizers are beyond excited to once again welcome the world to the heart of this beautiful city, June 22 to 26, and present the festival’s biggest lineup yet.
Arguably, no music has been able to cross borders and cultures like the music of Jamaica—ska and reggae. From their inception in the streets of Kingston to a worldwide phenomenon, ska and reggae music have influenced nearly every popular genre of music in some way: it is this spirit of connection and musical community that continues to power the festival after more than two decades.
Looking up and down this year’s lineup, you’ll see not only bands from across Canada and the United States, but acts from Jamaica, New Zealand, Colombia, England, West Indies and Brazil.
This is a reflection of not only the music’s global influence, but of the cultural melting pot right here in Victoria. It doesn’t matter where you’re from, if you like good music, the Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest has something for you.
This year reggae icons The Wailers and King Yellowman share the stage with fresh hot Canadian acts like soul singer Tanika Charles and reggae band Bedouin Soundclash, as well as diverse international bands like New Zealand’s Three Houses Down, Colombia’s hard-driving La Real Del Sonido and exciting acts from the local community like Indigenous funk powerhouse Curtis Clear Sky & The Constellationz and the endlessly groovy The Steadies.
Festival organizers believe great music should be as accessible as possible and once again they have built Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest with that in mind. With three days of free programming on the main stage at Ship Point in Victoria’s gorgeous Inner Harbour, a majority of shows being all ages (with kids 10 and under free), free public workshops with festival artists, and the lowest ticket prices in the market, Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest is poised to once again take its place as a true festival of the people.
Come one, come all! Let’s welcome the world and celebrate our long-awaited return.