Rototom Sunsplash 2017 has confirmed its full star-studded list of live reggae acts on the Main Stage. The festival, taking place in Benicassim (Spain) from 12th to 19th August, is proud to announce the final addition to the line-up, the ‘Doctor of Dancehall’, Beenie Man.
This Jamaican child deejay prodigy turned veteran entertainer will return to Rototom, bringing his irrepressible energy and full bag of raw and overproof dancehall hits. In keeping with this year’s theme, Celebrating Africa, Beenie has toured and performed in many African countries through the years
Reggae music is the heartbeat of Africa. Created in Jamaica, in the wake of colonial independence, it has spread throughout the diaspora to every corner of the globe. Rototom Sunsplash’s Main Stage offering combines reggae from Jamaica, Europe, and America, with highly influential parallel forms from Africa, and the continent’s own reggae scene, taking the music full circle.
Watch Beenie Man in Gambia
On Saturday August 12th the festival opens with a Main Stage headline performance from UK reggae innovators Steel Pulse. Formed in Handsworth, Birmingham and rising to the top of the city’s competitive 1970s reggae band scene, the group’s uncompromising messages of black liberation and dedication to pushing the boundaries of reggae music make them an essential live experience. They are joined by another crucial group, formed in Falmouth, Jamaica but based in England, the Twinkle Brothers. These veterans started as child stars in the ska era and are now the world’s top exemplars of the heavy stepping roots style. Also blessing the Main Stage will be Catalan Latin Ska band La Pegatina and Nkulee Dube, daughter of South African reggae legend Lucky Dube.
Nkulee Dube and Kebra Ethiopia Sound Confirmed for Rototom Sunsplash
Sunday August 13th sees a unique tribute to the music of Africa: Felabration by Seun Kuti and Egypt 80. Seun, the son of Nigerian afrobeat pioneer and revolutionary Fela Anikulapo Kuti, will showcase new and never before witnessed material by his father. Egypt 80 contains many of the same musicians who performed with Fela during his eventful career. The Main Stage will also revisit the sweet rocksteady sounds of the sixties with appearances by two of the era’s key Jamaican harmony groups, The Heptones and The Silvertones. Finally Jamaican dancehall hit-maker Shaggy, will close the night, taking the entertainment to the maximum level.
On Monday August 14th,the Main Stage hosts internationally beloved English ska band The Specials. Formed in Coventry and inspired by Jamaican music and punk, they brought ska to a new audience with a message of unity that built a devoted fanbase worldwide. They are joined by veteran Jamaican acoustic collective Inna De Yard, featuring star of the Rockers movie Kiddus I, Cedric ‘Congo’ Myton, Winston ‘Electric Dread’ McAnuff, Derajah, and Kush from Uprising Roots. Also on the bill is the golden voice of foundation dancehall singer Don Carlos.
The Main Stage presents a very special collaboration show on Tuesday August 15th. German reggae superstar Gentleman joins the son of the great Bob Marley, Ky-Mani – performing material they have created together – fusing the music of Europe and Jamaica together as one. Tuesday also promises an appearance by the immortal Toots and the Maytals. This foundation group have performed since the ska era, achieving a record tally of number one hits in Jamaica. Toots’ unmistakable voice, compared to US soul singer Otis Redding, and a band including musicians who have played with him since the 60s, will be a guaranteed festival highlight. Reggae’s international influence will again be on display with sets by Californian band Stick Figure and Kenyan born German based singer Treesha.
On Wednesday August 16th,Rototom Celebrating Africa edition welcomes a Main Stage headline performance from Senegalese singing sensation Youssou NDOUR. A pioneer of his country’s mbalax music and a former Senegalese Minister of Tourism, his huge catalogue of music includes collaborations with Peter Gabriel, Wyclef Jean, Bruce Springsteen and Lou Reed. Representing Jamaica will be dancehall legend Beenie Man, recently added to the bill. The sweet voice of rising reggae singer Christopher Martin and the scorching contemporary roots music of Raging Fyah will carry Jamaican reggae music right up to date.
Thursday August 17th offers the chance to witness the reunion of the core line-up of The Wailers. 4 decades after Bob sang Africa Unite and received the 1978 UN Peace Medal from the organisation’s Senegalese Youth Ambassador, his original band is back together for the festival’s Celebrating Africa edition. The day will also host the fittingly named Mellow Mood from Italy. These former Italian Reggae contest winners return to share the music that has made them a triumphant international success with the Rototom massive. The stage will blaze will the female energy of Rasta singer and deejay Hempress Sativa and shake to the heavy bass lines of Bristol, England’s Black Roots.
Friday August 18th is another highlight for the festival’s Celebrating Africa edition. Ivorian reggae star and activist Alpha Blondy leads his Solar System band to the Main Stage once again. With a recording career starting in 1982, singing in multiple languages and fusing reggae with myriad genres, Alpha’s music is at the heart of the theme for the festival’s 24th programme. Joining him on the day will be Jamaica’s highest profile young Rasta artist, Chronixx, backed by his Zinc Fence Redemption band. Touring the release of his first full length album Chronology, this will be a performance the reggae world will be talking about in years to come. Avant-garde dub from London based veterans African Headcharge and new age bass music from Spanish duo Iseo and Dodosound and will further affirm Rototom’s commitment to experimental reggae music.
Closing the Main Stage on Saturday August 19th, the final day of the festival, will be a series of artists, many with strong musical and personal links to Africa. Roots reggae evangelist and ‘Jah Messenger’, Luciano, has been spreading his vision of Rastafari across the continent for years. He will be backed by Britain’s answer to Sly and Robbie, Mafia & Fluxy. Two veteran Jamaican deejays who popularised the art of microphone talking collide when U Roy meets Big Youth, as part of a showcase including child star turned dancehall songbird Nadine Sutherland and UK dub-master Mad Professor, long active in promoting reggae music in Gambia. Adding a more local flavour will be the reunited project of Andalusian singer Amparo Sánchez and her band Amparanoia.
This fully stacked evening of talent will bring the weeklong musical and cultural journey to a resounding and uplifting conclusion.
