ROTOTOM SUNSPLASH 2025 Celebrating Life Benicassim, Spain by Sista Irie
“Celebrating Life” the theme of Rototom Sunsplash 2025 is a call to consciousness. In this struggling world, music festivals are healing, a harbinger of hope and a welcoming chance for global communities to unite in solidarity. Roots reggae festivals offer spiritually inspired messaging supporting a more humane vision for the future. Presentation of lyrical mastery delivered in a musical environment can remove stress and bring back the joy of life.
ROTOTOM SUNSPLASH 2025 celebrated their thirty year anniversary from August 16-23. The festival began in 1994 in Gaio di Spilimbergo, Pordenone, Italy. After ongoing issues with Italian authorities related to counter culture lifestyles of fans and organizers, an agreement was made in 2010 to move to Benicassim, Spain.
Benicassim offers a peaceful beach town atmosphere, perfect for international reggae lovers to absorb sun, fun and musical upliftment. The little town atmosphere warmly welcomes travelers from around the world. Fliers and flags adorn windows, cafes and streets. Rototom Sunsplash, known as the largest and best reggae festival in the world hosted over 218,000 music lovers who represented 111 countries during the eight day event.
More than 200 showcases and DJ sets covered the festival’s seven stages. In addition to the Main stage, Jamaican music is celebrated on the “Lion Stage,” Dub Academy, Dancehall Arena, Jumping Stage (black music focus), Jamkunda (various music genres), and Sunbeach (soundsystems, beside the sea).
Wellness areas sprinkled throughout the massive grounds include an educational play area for children and a Discovery Lab uniting music to science. A wide and delicious diversity of food and cultural vendors create vignettes of relaxation and comfort under shady trees.
MULTI MEDIA
Live broadcasts of the festival aired online via the Rototom Sunsplash website, social media and YouTube channels reaching 3,700,000 million people worldwide. Additional online videos include captures from the beloved Reggae University, a series of daytime panels covering select history of Jamaican music and its influence on many nations. Special thanks to Ellen and Peter Lilly (Riddim Magazine), David Katz (UK author and historian) and Pier Tosi, (Italian radio host) for their extensive work creating an afternoon of treasured education designed to enhance knowledge of Jamaican music.
One can’t say their exposure to reggae music is complete until witnessing what I call the United Nations of Reggae presented by Rototom Sunsplash. Attending is an all encompassing experience embracing a world wide view of the reality of reggae music globally. I began to realize that some Americans think of the reggae industry strictly by what is available to our nation. It’s a very small slice. Reggae radio djs and selectors in the U.S. should understand their responsibility to study reggae trends and to create education delivered over the airwaves.
SUPPORT FESTIVALS
My utmost concern is with new U.S. government restrictions and practices. Rising cost of Visas and other related costs may diminish accessibility for trend setting artists (including Jamaicans) to be booked. The best counter activity is for fans to support festivals at home. Passivity will only feed the conservative political tiger. It will be our responsibility to ensure the roots of the music doesn’t get lost in America as the music evolves worldwide.
(statistics in the article are taken from a current Rototom Sunsplash press release)
