Dr. Ring-Ding

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For over 25 years, vocalist and trombonist Dr. Ring-Ding has been a towering figure in the European ska, dancehall and two-tone scenes, a true protector and lover of the culture. He began playing music as a child when he picked everyone's favourite instrument, the recorder, and set out on his musical journey, eventually picking up the trombone that would be his entry into the world of ska music. In 1987 he joined El Bosso & Die Ping Pongs, where he stayed cutting his teeth for five years before stepping out to the front of the stage as the frontman of Dr. Ring-Ding & The Senior Allstars. He quickly found success behind the mic due to his incredibly distinctive voice and toasting abilities, singing in English, German, French and Patois. Such an impactful performer is Dr. Ring-Ding that his set at the fifth-ever Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest (Then just Victoria Ska Fest) in 2005 is still the stuff of legend, revered by long-time festival Massive. The good doctor is a man more than well-versed in the intricacies of Jamaican-rooted musics finding equal success in reggae, ska and dancehall. Whether he's with a selector, a soundsystem, a live band, after more than a quarter century, Dr. Ring-Ding remains one of ska's most dynamic vocalists.

Shows

Dr. Ring-Ding, Half Past Two, The Capital Collective , Bu Von Blume, Young Royal
at Ship Point (Inner Harbour)
Thu. June 25th 4:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Free
This year, Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest has a real special night at the Inner Harbour for all the true ska-lovers out there. Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest 5 (Back it was still Victoria Ska Fest) headliner DR. RING-DING returns for the first time since that unforgettable set back in 2004. One of the most distinctive voices in the European ska/reggae/dancehall scenes, Dr. Ring-Ding has been delighting audiences around the globe and protecting the rich culture of Jamaican-rooted music for over a quarter-century. More than well-versed in the intricacies of the music and culture, a Dr. Ring-Ding set is sure to take the crowd on a journey through the rich sonic history of Jamaica, touching on all the facets that make us love the music.

Coming up from Orange County, California to join our festival for the first time is much-beloved ska-punk outfit HALF PAST TWO. Veterans in their own right, 2026 finds Half Past Two celebrating twenty years on the skankin' scene. Their high-energy “bubblegum ska” features big pop hooks with a shockingly heavy sound that hits hard live and keeps feet moving. Every year we hear from attendees that they found their new favourite band at the festival and we have an inkling that more than a couple people might be saying the same thing to us after Half Past Two takes the stage. Before that happens though, The Capital Collective is going to be heating up the stage with their insanely big sound! A massive ska orchestra made up of players from some of the west coast’s most beloved bands, a Capital Collective show is a celebration of the west coast ska scene that was birthed and has thrived around the Festival since its inception. We're excited to have Cumberland's BU VON BLUME to join us and kick things off for this one. The super fun-time, costumed, flower-powered dance and theatre band from is sure to make you dance, with their interactive show and unpredictable blend of ska, punk, cumbia, funk and more. We also have our dear friend YOUNG ROYAL returning to keep us moving between sets. A fantastic selector with an incredible depth of knowledge when it comes to Jamaican-rooted music and spinning all 45s, Young Royal always delivers the sweet reggae goods.