UK: Liverpool’s award-winning celebration of reggae music and Jamaican heritage, Positive Vibration, will return on June 9 for a weekend of music, art, and workshops. Headlining this year’s festival will be legendary 2 Tone band, The Selecter, and king of the sound system, Jah Shaka.
This year sees the return of The Art of Reggae Exhibition, a collaboration between Positive Vibration and the International Reggae Poster Contest (IRPC). The exhibition, which supports the Alpha Boys School in Jamaica, will showcase 100 reggae-inspired posters, designed by illustrators and artists from all over the world. Attendees will also be able to bid on the posters.
There will also be a panel discussion taking place on the Saturday of the festival which explores the impact of reggae on British music, culture & society.
This year’s panel includes:
• Pauline Black – iconic frontwoman of 2 Tone band, The Selecter. Actress, broadcaster and author of music bestseller, ‘Black by Design’
• Mykaell Riley – former member of Steel Pulse and founder of the Reggae Philharmonic Orchestra. Head of Music Production at the University of Westminster and Director for the Black Music Research Unit
• Dennis Bovell – legendary reggae guitarist, bass player and producer. Founding member of Matumbi and pioneer of Lovers Rock
• John Robb – award-winning music journalist and punk musician, who will moderate the session
On the Saturday of the festival, there will be a number of creative, educational and dance workshops for children, including: Dub Poetry with Levi Tafari, Arts & Crafts with Square Pegs, The Rastaquarium, and Capoeira with Capoeira For All.
If you sell food, records, merchandise or any other suitable goods & services, and would like to trade at the festival, you can drop the Positive Vibration team an email. Be sure to include details of your goods & services and social media / web links. The deadline is March 27.
