Goldenvoice-produced fest’s lineup includes the Skatalites, Panteón Rococó & Reel Big Fish.
Skanking Reggae FEST, a six-year-old Los Angeles reggae and ska festival featuring Spanish-language bands, is making a move toward the mainstream with its 2016 edition.
Ska pioneers the Skatalites, the popular Mexican group Panteón Rococó and So Cal ska punk band Reel Big Fish are among the artists set to appear March 20 at L.A.’s Shrine Expo Hall.
The festival, previously held at the Pico Rivera Sports Arena, comes to downtown L.A. with the support of Coachella producer Golden Voice.
This is the first year that the Skanking fest will feature bands singing in English.
“Since the first edition of the festival, we noticed that there is a high demand in the Los Angeles region for ska and reggae bands that are of quality from Latin America and Southern California,” festival founder Adrian Antonio Gonzalez, owner of iHomi and Bolochos, young musician, promoter and founder of growing Skanking Reggae FEST said in an email announcing this year’s festival. “This year we look forward to working with American bands that sing in English to prove that ska is much bigger and more massive than a local movement, and that it can unite regardless of the language spoken.”
El Gran Silencio, Voodoo Glow Skulls, Inspector, Raskahuele, 8 Kalacas and Dub Club DJs are among other acts on the bill, with more to be announced soon.
