Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest XIX kicks off June 20 with a FREE International Showcase! Come one, come all to Ship Point in Victoria's historic Inner Harbour and help us kick off 5 days of grooves from around with the world with the mighty PANTEON ROCOCO. One of Mexico's biggest bands (Of any genre) this incredible 9-piece plays with a bravado and energy like no other. Their unique brand of ska – laced with heavy doses of punk, salsa and cumbia – has helped them take over not just their native Mexico, but large swaths of North America and Europe. We couldn't be more excited to present their western Canadian debut on this night for all of friends and family.

Joining these legends, from the other side of the world, is KINGSTON RUDIESKA. A powerful example of ska music's truly global appeal, Kingston Rudieska, Korea's first traditional ska band has been paying homage to the classic sounds of Jamaica for over 14 year now. Their incredible skill and deep love of the music they pay respect to has helped spread Jamaican-rooted music to a still-discovering part of the world, playing at many Korea and Japan's biggest festivals. Their first show on Canadian soil promises to be something truly special and it's going to happen under the Victoria skyline on the Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest main stage!

Bringing things back a little closer to home, Cortez Island's very own BACK EDDY & THE PROCRASTINATORS are set to get our crowd bouncing with some real west coast ska. This big, rowdy 8-piece band has a knack for making even the biggest stages feel close and intimate. We guarantee these cats are going to get your hips swaying and your feet moving. And we are proud as hell to present the Ska & Reggae Fest debut of Victoria's fierce 6-piece funk army, THE PHATFUNKS. This phenomenal group of musicians from local high schools and UVic fuses funk, soul and R&B, with rock and jazz influences for one of the most exciting musical cocktails the city has to offer. Please, join us for what is sure to be an unforgettable night of FREE, ALL AGES music.