Saturday night of Victoria's 20th Annual Ska & Reggae Festival is coming in hot and is going to be one of the most blisteringly fun nights on the summer calendar. One of the pillars of the third-wave ska revival, Florida ska-punk rockers Less Than Jake finally take on our main stage and all we can say is, “It's about time!” Legends of the genre, Less Than Jake has been relentless in their music and have firmly cemented themselves into the memory and playlists of ska fans around the world. Few bands have stuck to the DIY principals that birthed the movement like Less Than Jake and it's that dedication to their roots that has helped build a solid fan base from the ground up over two decades.

One of Victoria's most beloved bands is making a triumphant return to help us bring in year 20 in absolute style. ONE DROP is finally coming back to get the masses jumping. It's been a decade since these icons of rowdiness have joined forces to rock a crowd proper. In fact, their last show was at Victoria Ska Fest 10, opening for the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, and they return for our 20th, playing before another group of ska legends, Less Than Jake. If you want to see a professional, polished, flawless performance, One Drop is not what you are looking for. If you want to hear music that is raw, entertaining and unpredictable played by a crew of seriously talented maniacs who are almost as surprised as you are, this is your chance.

Joining these two Festival favourites is Chicago powerhouse LOWDOWN BRASS BAND. One of the quickest rising live acts in North America, the band's relentless touring schedule has taken them around the continent, dazzling audiences with their ridiculously funky, big brass grooves. Combining hip-hop, funk, ska, reggae and delivering it with the grit and grace of a New Orleans line, LowDown is making seriously exciting music and we're pumped to introduce them to our west coast massive. Kicking things off for our Saturday party under the sun are the self-proclaimed “Bastard Sons of Reggae,” DANNY REBEL & THE KGB. Longtime friends of the festival and Montreal's greatest reggae ambassadors. 12+ years of playing their high-energy reggae has helped honed the band into one of the tightest, hardest-hitting groups of music healers in the country. And keeping it smooth in between sets is our dear friend and one of the coolest cats we know, MT. DOYLE. The resident DJ for hometown heroes Illvis Freshly, Mt. Doyle is a force to be reckoned with behind the decks. Versatile, knowledgable and as talented as they come around here, Doyle is always bringing the choicest grooves, no matter the genre.