Acrpost: A Project of the Pacific Association of Artist Run Centres

Event Description

A special night for all our those true reggae lovers among us. The one and only MIKE LOVE makes his Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest debut! If you haven't heard about Mike Love, now is the time to learn yourself a thing or two about one of the most important forces in the current reggae climate. In these troubled, frantic times, Love's music is a salve for humanity. Songs like “Penniless” and “I Love You” tackle societal ills and general love respectively, showing the range of Love's inspiration. This deeply inspired love for humanity and the Earth is buoyed by incredible guitar work and Mike Love's saccharinely sweet voice. The combination of positivity and top-tier musicianship has won Love fans all over the world, winning him appearances at Cali Roots, Wanderlust, the Montreal Jazz Fest and, at long last, Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest!

Joining Mike Love in this celebration of reggae are California's BURNT. For 15 years now, California's BURNT have been soldiers in the struggle to keep real roots reggae alive and well on the west coast, with an eye always forward, looking for new ways to evolve and add to the traditions of the music they love so much. With their passion for soulful melodies, bass-heavy riddims and lyrics that deal with both parties and politics, BURNT have become beloved west coast reggae favourites, exciting the reggae massive up, down and all around our beloved coast.

Kicking the night off with bang is the mighty YELLOWSKY. Hailing from the Plains Cree First Nation, Yellowsky (Born Roberto Andres Pooyak) is one of the most important First Nations rappers rocking in Canada right now. His massive, bottom end-heavy beats pay homage to the grimy city life of the most classic of hip-hop music while his elastic, malleable delivery harken to the traditions of both classic Jamaican deejaying and more modern MC styles. Where a lot of positive hip-hop starts to lose some of its edge Yellowsky is making positive music that still retains an exhilarating edge.