Upcoming Events
THE WAILERS RETURN TO VICTORIA!
@ Distrikt Victoria BC Ska & Reggae Society is proud to present THE WAILERS in Victoria with guests Phonosonics and MadSelector!"The legendary Wailers band returns to bring its revolutionary sound to fans around the world. Steered by famed bassist and founder Aston “Familyman” Barrett, and joined in solidarity with original Wailers’ guitarists Julian Junior Marvin and Donald Kinsey, The Wailers continue to create musical history." (thewailers.net)
Phonosonics notably are one of Canada's most talented rocksteady groups. This band hailing from Victoria BC has a new album set to release called "Reggae Don't Pay the Rent." The band has also played on Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival twice and have been featured on David Rodigan radio program on the BBC which is one of the most known reggae shows in the world.
MadSelector aka Madeliene Fisher will be warming up the crowd and playing sweet roots, dancehall and world before and after The Wailers and Phonosonics' performances.
ERICA DEE, APEX BREAKS & STEVIE WISE & THE BIG FEELINGS
@ Lucky Bar One of the most diversely talented artists in the west coast music scene, ERICA DEE made her debut at the Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival this past summer, leaving a big impression playing before reggae legends Culture. Singer, rapper, producer, teacher, community activist, Erica Dee has used her skills and talents to build musical community wherever she goes. Her tastes and influences are vast and her music is a reflection of that diversity. If it's groovy and got soul, Erica Dee has probably had a taste. We couldn't wait to have her back and couldn't think of a better time for to return to heat up Victoria as the weather starts to cool down.Joining Erica Dee for this Friday night party will be Victoria jungle funk monster, APEX BREAKS. A veritable Victoria supergroup with members of Rocky Mountain Rebel Music, Zoubi & The Sea, Ashley Wei Trio and Warriors for Peace, Apex Breaks is a 9-piece monster with musical chops for days and a thirst for the deepest of grooves. And kicking things off is STEVIE WISE & THE BIG FEELINGS, Victoria's freshest original soul band, led by New Groovement powerhouse vocalist Stevie Wise.
THE SLACKERS - BROOKLYN NY'S SKA/REGGAE KINGS RETURN TO VANCOUVER!
@ Rickshaw Theatre Vancouver BC Here come the kings! We're talking about Brooklyn NY's ska/reggae kings THE SLACKERS that is... We celebrated their 25th Anniversary last time they came to Canada's west coast and now we're working on their journey to their dirty 30th! But no matter what point we are in life, it's always a joy to host our long time friends.Through The Slackers' mixed repertoire of music ranging from ska and reggae to soul, R&B, folk, and bossa nova they've managed to capture fans that span the spectrum of music with audiences of all ages. The band also plays with an aggressive edge and their songs veer in themes from the personal to the political. They're a band like no other and certainly not what one may think from a ska band from their era in the US. From their 1996 release, Better Late Than Never through to 2016 with their self titled album The Slackers, they have established themselves as America's premiere interpreters and innovators of Jamaican music.
Now after 20 years of working with the Slackers, Victoria BC Ska & Reggae Society is part of this beautiful tradition of Slackers music.
We figured if we're welcoming old friends like the Slackers back to Vancouver, we may as well get some other old pals to join them. Taking the stage before the Slackers for their Vancouver return are the Van City legends, LOS FURIOS.
For more than two decades, Los Furios has been keeping Vancouver jumping with their ultra high-energy mix of ska, punk and reggae music. Their fire and energy makes them the perfect compliment to The Slackers reckless ska-punk assault.
And while this is definitely a night of catching up with old friends, we couldn't let a chance to bring something new to our Ska & Reggae Massive. Vancouver's BREHDREN takes a Ska & Reggae Society stage for the first time to thrown down their 9-piece ska, reggae, indie and jazz mishmash. We've had our eye on the Vancouver upstarts for awhile and we're excited to finally have the opportunity to bring their music to you! Warming things up and holding it down between sets is our good friend and keeper of the culture, YOUNG ROYAL. Come join us for a night of old friends, new friends and high-octane grooves!"
THE SLACKERS - BROOKLYN NY'S SKA/REGGAE KINGS RETURN TO VICTORIA!
@ Capital Ballroom Here come the kings! We're talking about Brooklyn NY's ska/reggae kings THE SLACKERS that is... We celebrated their 25th Anniversary last time they came to Canada's west coast and now we're working on their journey to their dirty 30th! But no matter what point we are in life, it's always a joy to host our long time friends.Through The Slackers' mixed repertoire of music ranging from ska and reggae to soul, R&B, folk, and bossa nova they've managed to capture fans that span the spectrum of music with audiences of all ages. The band also plays with an aggressive edge and their songs veer in themes from the personal to the political. They're a band like no other and certainly not what one may think from a ska band from their era in the US. From their 1996 release, Better Late Than Never through to 2016 with their self titled album The Slackers, they have established themselves as America's premiere interpreters and innovators of Jamaican music.
Now after 20 years of working with the Slackers, Victoria BC Ska & Reggae Society is part of this beautiful tradition of Slackers music.
In Victoria the Slackers will be joined by two of Victoria's most exciting bands. The soul-funk behemoth THE LEG-UP PROGRAM and down and dirty power-trio SEXWEATHER.
The Leg-Up Program is unlike anything else in the land – a 17-piece monster of groove laying down soul, funk and hip-hop, all blended up with bits of rock, gospel and anything else with heart, all delivered with top-shelf musicianship and a unique big-band aesthetic. It's a wonder to watch these giant group of incredible artists come together to create their big, soulful sound and we're so excited to welcome them back to our stage!
Victoria power-trio Sexweather will be kicking off this party in style. Unbound by any genre, Sexweather comes hard with an unpredictable mix of punk, hip-hop, blues and folk, delivered with serious energy and creative swagger. Let's just say if you're looking to party, Sexweather is a band you want in your corner.
ASTA DIASTA will be keeping things moving between sets with tasty grooves to keep you bouncing.
