British Columbia's long-running Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival is celebrating 20 years of music-making in 2019, and organizers have now lifted the curtain on the lineup for the milestone event.
Taking place from June 19 to 23, the fest's 20th edition will be headlined by reggae icon Ky-Mani Marley and Florida ska-punk vets Less Than Jake. They're followed closely by Macka B, Cherry Poppin' Daddies, the Pietasters, Leroy Sibbles, Dub Pistols, One Drop and more.
"When we began the festival in the summer of 2000, never in my wildest dreams did I think we'd be producing it now in 2019 celebrating the 20th anniversary," festival founder Dane Roberts tells Exclaim! "Since then the festival has grown over the years from being a one-day event with mainly third-wave content to an international five-day and night festival presenting a full range of Jamaican rooted music and its offshoots."
As in past years, Ship Point at Victoria's Inner Harbour will serve as the festival's main stage, while other performances will be hosted at a variety of venues including the Capital Ballroom, Distrikt and more.
The main stage at Ship Point will also host a series of free, all-ages shows featuring local, national and international talent. Acts set to play include recent Juno nominee Boogát, U.K. outfit Chainska Brassika, Victoria funk/soul band the Leg-Up Program, Peruvian eight-piece Vieja Skina, Vancouver's Salshahall Collective and more.
Roberts points to the reunion of reggae/punk outfit One Drop as a regional highlight of the festival's bill.
"Like the legendary Victoria punk/ska outfit Pressure Cooker before them (that headlined the first Victoria Ska Festival), One Drop took the reins and created a rich community that grew with the festival," he explains. "Many of the members are still involved in the Victoria BC Ska & Reggae Society family as staff, volunteers or as bands that play on our shows and festivals. They really encompass the spirit of the festival."
Early bird festival passes, VIP passes and individual tickets are available now and can be purchased online here. Further festival announcements can be found through the event's official website.
Learn more about the history of the festival with Exclaim!'s festival profile.
Taking place from June 19 to 23, the fest's 20th edition will be headlined by reggae icon Ky-Mani Marley and Florida ska-punk vets Less Than Jake. They're followed closely by Macka B, Cherry Poppin' Daddies, the Pietasters, Leroy Sibbles, Dub Pistols, One Drop and more.
"When we began the festival in the summer of 2000, never in my wildest dreams did I think we'd be producing it now in 2019 celebrating the 20th anniversary," festival founder Dane Roberts tells Exclaim! "Since then the festival has grown over the years from being a one-day event with mainly third-wave content to an international five-day and night festival presenting a full range of Jamaican rooted music and its offshoots."
As in past years, Ship Point at Victoria's Inner Harbour will serve as the festival's main stage, while other performances will be hosted at a variety of venues including the Capital Ballroom, Distrikt and more.
The main stage at Ship Point will also host a series of free, all-ages shows featuring local, national and international talent. Acts set to play include recent Juno nominee Boogát, U.K. outfit Chainska Brassika, Victoria funk/soul band the Leg-Up Program, Peruvian eight-piece Vieja Skina, Vancouver's Salshahall Collective and more.
Roberts points to the reunion of reggae/punk outfit One Drop as a regional highlight of the festival's bill.
"Like the legendary Victoria punk/ska outfit Pressure Cooker before them (that headlined the first Victoria Ska Festival), One Drop took the reins and created a rich community that grew with the festival," he explains. "Many of the members are still involved in the Victoria BC Ska & Reggae Society family as staff, volunteers or as bands that play on our shows and festivals. They really encompass the spirit of the festival."
Early bird festival passes, VIP passes and individual tickets are available now and can be purchased online here. Further festival announcements can be found through the event's official website.
Learn more about the history of the festival with Exclaim!'s festival profile.
