July 8, 2017
6th Annual Island Reggae Festival
Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Road, San Jose, CA 95111
Festival hours: 11am-11pm
General Admission: $70 (ticket price increase to $80 on 7/1, $90 on 7/8), Day of show ticket price, $90, Kids 5 and under free
Tickets available through Eventbrite
Rudebwoy Entertainment presents the 6th annual Island Reggae Festival held at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Road in San Jose, California. The event offerings in 2017 include activities on three stages with live music from around the world, and an Island Dance Showcase. The event also features unlimited carnival rides for children, the USO Car Club Showcase, a Youth Rugby 7’s tournament, an Island Tattoo Showcase and a free Diabetes Awareness clinic. The gates open at 11am and the event concludes at 11pm.
Artists on the lineup for Island Reggae Festival consistently feature some of the Pacific Islands’ greatest talents living throughout the world and those that have been embraced by Island Reggae music culture. In 2017 the lineup includes the United Kingdom’s UB40 featuring Ali, Astro and Mickey whose songs “Red Red Wine” and the remake of the Al Green original “Here I Am” have continued to be worldwide pop hits and in island reggae rotation over the past 3 decades. UB40 will perform the closing set at Island Reggae Festival 2017.
Returning to the Island Reggae Fest 2017 stage is the legendary Fiji whose stage name reflects his cultural background and whose golden voice has made him a pioneer of the Island Reggae sound as its most well-known artist paving the way for the careers of many others in the genre, whom he has personally mentored, recorded, and co-wrote with throughout the years.
Sammy J hails from New Zealand, singing originals with positive messages colored with soulful, R&B vibes over one drop reggae rhythms, the video for his popular love song “Fall In Love” has been viewed over 4 million times on You Tube. He’s released 11 albums, the latest, released in 2016, is entitled Lion Roar. Sammy J worked as a social work with troubled youths, making a difference as a mentor with Maori cultural background before his career in the music industry took off.
Combining the rhythms of Hiphop and Reggae with the soulful, power of the island music vocal style, Spawnbreezie has created a unique sound that he calls “Island Hiphop”. The Island Reggae Festival 2017 audience will have the chance to hear live on stage, hit songs like “Don’t Let Go” and “Oh My Goodness.”
IRF Artist Tenelle on NBC Bay Area – Asia Pacific America
Female vocalist of Samoan heritage, Tenelle returns to the festival in 2017 with sweet vocals influenced by R&B and reggae reflecting this Carson, California-born singer’s background. Her latest album FOR THE LOVERS released March 10th of this year features 11 tracks with a romantic theme and includes duets with Fiji and Chazrox. It’s maintained a top position on the iTunes Reggae chart since its debut.
Tenelle filmed a segment on IRF 2017 for the NBC Bay Area program, Asia Pacific America.
Making their return to the mainland for the first time in several years is Hawaii’s Three Plus, the Island Reggae Fest 2017 family is in for a special treat with their appearance on this year’s lineup.
A top 50 finalist in 2012 on the television program X-Factor, Latasha Lee comes to this year’s festival prepared to sing some 1960’s style soul vocals on her original chart toppers like, “Can’t Walk Away” and “Left Hand Side”.
Tribal Theory come for San Diego and since forming in 2005, they have toured widely, releasing 4 albums including their latest Reclamation EP which is inspired by life experiences and traditions of their Polynesian culture. Their debut album, Tribal Theory received the “Best World Music Album of the Year” award in 2013 from the San Diego Music Awards.
Samu makes his fourth appearance on the Island Reggae Festival stage. His R&B tinged vocals soar over one drop reggae rhythms, his most recent album My Soul was released in April.
Jamaican artist Conkarah is making his California debut at Island Reggae Festival with tunes sung in the soulful falsetto as on his originals “Remember the Days” and “Island Girl” and covers of other artists hits that have gone viral like Adele’s “Hello“ with Solomon Islands’ recording artist Rosie Delmah. The artist’s videos have been watched to so often that his You Tube channel has over 100 million views.
Jamaica’s roots reggae band Raging Fyah make their first appearance at this year’s festival. With three albums to their credit, and numerous tours throughout the US and Europe, the band is building a huge following. Their album Everlasting was nominated for a Grammy in the reggae category.
Pacific Island reggae music receives a great deal of attention both at traditional broadcast radio and online as those that have moved from their birthplace or those that represent the next generation maintain a strong cultural connection through music. The term “island reggae” refers to artists from the Polynesian region and whose music has made it to the airwaves of the community worldwide. Some of the most well-loved artists in the genre today will be at Island Reggae Festival in 2017 including Maui-grown Maoli who have rode the wave of success for over a decade with their rocking drum and bass lines, soulful harmonies and full band sound. Born in the Philippines, raised in Maui, female artist Eli-Mac whose vocals soar on “Dubstop” is an American Idol finalist. Samoan artist Sammielz comes to Island Reggae Fest from Sydney, Australia Sammielz has a stack of hits to sing including “Let Us Be” and “Jah Boy” a combination with Conkarah.
Tickets are available on line through the Island Reggae Festival website islandreggaefest.com or at regional ticket outlets in the Peninsula Area, San Francisco, North, East and South Bay, Sacramento, Stockton and Monterey areas.
