Reggae Festival Melbourne

Leading the announcement is Wilbur Theodore Cole AKA Stranger Cole. He is one of the foundation artists of the Jamaican sound of rhythm and blues, ska, rocksteady and reggae that came from the island during the late fifties to sixties. On his fourth visit to our shores in the last ten years he will be supported by an band hand picked from Melbourne’s top reggae and ska acts to reproduce the sounds of the early backing bands in Jamaica in the '60s.
Nicky Bomba, leader of the globe trotting Melbourne Ska Orchestra, will join Pat Powell, vocalist for the Orchestra and a pioneer of Jamaican music in Australia, for a set at the festival. They will be joined by twelve-piece collective Ska Vendors off the back of their debut full length record, The Moonhops coaxed out of a four year hiatus, Newport Lakes All Star Band formed at Newport Lakes Primary School, and Melbourne radio heavyweights DJs Systa BB and Mohair Slim.