Reggae Sumfest, the "biggest reggae concert on Earth", as its poster proclaims, is blowing out its twenty candles this summer. Two decades in which it has never left its home ground, Montego Bay in Jamaica.
This year's line-up is exceptional over three days, with R Kelly, Shabba Ranks and Damian Marley among others. To mark the fiftieth anniversary of Jamaican independence, Sumfest is announcing a contingent of veteran artists, unused to such honours: John Holt, Yellow Man, Leroy Sibbles, Mighty Diamonds and many more on the Friday, as well as Bunny Wailer, who is due to close the Saturday night, according to the Gleaner.
The festival will officially kick off with the Beach Party on Sunday 15 July (with ZJ Bambino, Delano (of Renaissance), DJ Kentucky, DJ Jigga, Miss Blease), then a sound Clash night on 17 July, but the serious business starts on Thursday 19 July 2012 with Dancehall Night, followed by two International Nights on the Friday and Saturday.
Dancehall Night:
Beenie Man, Bounty Killer, Lady Saw, I-Octane, Cham, Konshens, Popcaan, Romain Virgo, Aidonia, Elephant Man, Kiprich, Tommy Lee, Spice, Khago, Tifa, Jahvinci, Baby Tash, Specialist, Potential Kid,
Stacious, Zamunda.
International Night:
Shabba Ranks, Trey Songz, Tarrus Riley, Tessanne Chin, Bonafide, Sophia Brown, Nature, Angelique Sabrina
Tribute to the Greats: John Holt, Yellow Man, Leroy Sibbles, Mighty Diamonds, U-Roy, Leroy Smart, Derrick Harriott, Frankie Paul, Pinchers
International Night 2:
R Kelly, Damian “Jr. Gong” Marley, Bunny Wailer (Jamaica 50 Skatalites & Wailers Tribute), Christopher Martin, Protoje and The Indiggnation, A. J. Brown, Raine Seville, Conkarah, Q-Ban.
Ruff Kut Krew, Mikey Chung All Stars, Black Soil (Tarrus Riley's musicians) and Tanntrumm are the bands who will play during Sumfest.