LEGENDS of reggae will rub shoulders with the stars of tomorrow as Dorset’s biggest dedicated festival to the genre is to make its long-awaited return.
The three-day Wilkswood Reggae Festival will once again be held at Wilkswood Farm in Langton Matravers on the Isle of Purbeck from Friday, July 22, to Sunday 24.
Held for the first time in three years due to the pandemic, the festival will present a host of live reggae artists with camping and glamping provisions available for those planning on jammin’ overnight.
This year’s festival will feature legends of the genre, upcoming artists and DJs from around the UK and abroad with more than 50 acts set to perform across three stages.
Headliners on the main stage this year include musician and producer Dennis Bovell, the evergreen Twinkle Brothers, Mad Professor, Prince Fatty (performing with Shniece and Horseman), Janet Kay & Carroll Thompson, and reggae dignitaries Sandra Cross and Vivian Jones.
Festival co-founder Dave Mountjoy said: “With two postponements because of Covid, it's been a fraught three years but everyone's thrilled to be back. We’ve managed to keep the bulk of our original festival line-up and have added some fantastic artists. The fact that we've got three of the UK's biggest sound systems appearing with their own carnival rigs is a real coup and we can't wait to see and hear them perform.
“The buzz on social media is amazing and it's set to be the best Wilkswood Reggae yet.”
Founded in 2016, Wilkswood Reggae is a family-friendly festival with a range of festivities to keep the kids entertained including a dedicated field and wooded clearing featuring storytelling and music. There will also be free workshops in beatboxing, urban dance and rap performance as well as nature trails with local experts.
There will also be a chillout zone, street food stalls (including a Jamaican jerk barbecue, wood-fired pizza and vegetarian/vegan options), the main bar serving draught beer and lager as well as the Rumshak's infamous rum cocktails.
To encourage the whole family to come along, there are reduced prices for children up to the age of 17 and under-3s can enter for free.
Ticket prices include full admission as well as camping and parking for three nights. Tickets are selling fast but there are still some available.
Visit wilkswoodreggae.com/tickets for more information.
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