To help us kick off night 1 of our 25th Anniversary, Victoria Ska &Reggae Festival is amped up to welcome Chicago’s finest, the mighty LOWDOWN BRASS BAND, back to Victoria for their first festival appearance since their debut in 2019. Since that time Lowdown has been on a seemingly unstoppable roll,playing sold out shows and making festival appearances all over North America. Their relentless touring schedule is matched by their ridiculously strong,consistent studio output, including their phenomenal 2022 album “Lowdown Nights.”Lowdown’s blend of big brass, reggae, jazz and hip-hop makes for one of the most unique sounds in American music right now and is a guaranteed feet-mover.

And we just couldn’t have a year 25 celebration without inviting one of the west coasts true musical treasures – PHONOSONICS. You’d be hard pressed to find an act in the area working harder to keep the sweet sounds of classic rocksteady alive and vital than Phonosonics. Their dedication to the sounds of early Jamaican music has made them a go-to for backing up legends like Sister Nancy and Leroy Sibbles when they’re in town. But this time, they’re taking centre stage and playing their own music to fill our ears with their sticky sweet riddims.