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This year marked 20 years of Reggae Sun Ska Festival in France! 20 YEARS!! What an achievement and I’m so proud to be part of the Reggae Sun Ska story! Mine really begins back in 2008 when I was first invited to host the Press Tent or “Espace Press” as we call it. My job simply was to interview the English speaking artists that were due to perform at the festival and moderate the questions coming in from the attending press. A super fun gig and definitely one of the things I love about Reggae Sun Ska! [Check out the highlights of my interviews this year]
Over the years I’ve had the pleasure in meeting and interviewing some legends of Reggae and Dancehall music, including Beenie Man, Shaggy, Horace Andy, Mr Vegas, Tarrus Riley, and many, many more.
Here are 5 things I love about Reggae Sun Ska Festival:
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The Line Up
If you are a fan of Reggae and Dancehall music, you’ll always be in for a treat! Each year Reggae Sun Ska manages to find the happy balance between not only putting on a line up that celebrates the careers of established, older Reggae artists (Jimmie Cliff, Toots and The Maytals, Steel Pulse) but also promoting up and coming younger acts (Hollie Cook, The Skints, Protoje and The Indignation) With the recent addition of the Dub Foundation stage, Reggae Sun Ska really is the place where you can enjoy every aspect of the culture from, Roots Reggae, Ska, Dancehall, Dub and Sound Systems.
2. Eco-Sun Ska
Since the beginning, Reggae Sun Ska has been a festival that has taken seriously their eco-responsibility. Being the first festival to establish the re-usable cup system, festival goers are encouraged to bring back their cup to the bar to reclaim their deposit hugely minimising plastic waste. The site also has multiple clearly labeled places where people can sort their waste and in 2016, the festival had managed to sort 52% of all their waste. This year I also noticed a cool initiative whereby everyday, food waste was collected by a local organization which then delivered it to local waste management company for compost.
3. The Location
Reggae Sun Ska used to be based in Medoc, France but is now in Bordeaux which makes it much easier to get to. It’s 2 hours away from London by plane and 2 hours away from Paris by train. People can attend by tram, bus or even bicycle. It’s in the famous Wine region so tours of local vineyards are a good shout once in the area, or even stocking up on some local red wine from a local vendor is just as possible!
It’s almost always hot and sunny and it’s near enough to the French western coast to enjoy some swimming and surfing – what better way to enjoy Reggae Music?!
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The Food
Here I’m not actually talking about the food out in the main festival site (which is awesome by the way), I’m talking about the food you get behind the scenes. I’ve worked at a couple of festivals in my time and no one has done better food for the staff and volunteers than Reggae Sun Ska. Guys I wish I took pictures for you – it did cross my mind but I haven’t gotten into the habit of taking pictures of my food! You’re just gonna have to believe me when I tell you that every meal was delicious. On the first day we arrived I was given a huge plate of tender honey roasted pork with a side of creamy dauphinoise potatoes and vegetables…. My mouth is just watering thinking about it!!
http://www.reggaesunska.com/fr/benevoles/
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The Volunteers
The Volunteers are what really make Reggae Sun Ska. From the ones to greet you upon arrival and provide you with your access wrist bands, to those on the Eco Sun Ska team, responsible for anything from recycling collections to maintaining the loos – it really feels like a big family and everyone seems super happy to be doing their bit to make the festival a success. Everyone works so hard and when it’s time to blow off some steam on the last night of the festival, the “Benevoles” really do know how to party!
So that’s a wrap until next year! Let me know if you’ll be going to the 21st Edition of Reggae Sun Ska! Here’s to seeing you there!!
Check out the highlights of some of my interviews this year!
