2015 Lineup

6:00pm - 8:00pm Rumblefish
The band’s three members – all from notable Michigan bands and different parts of the state – all share a passion for reggae. The band includes Josh Jacobs – guitar and lead vocals (former member of Third Coast Reggae Band and The Unacceptables); Sully Emerson – backing vocals and bass guitar (Also former member of The Unacceptables); and Sean “Spoony Love” Reisig – backing vocals and drums (current drummer of Funktion). With songs like D’yer Maker from Led Zeppelin, Tell Me Something Good from Chaka Chan and a wicked Bob Marley medley in their set list, expect Rumblefish to add a burnin’ island twist to some all-time classics. Come enjoy the upbeat music and positive vibes … and be ready to dance!

8:30pm - 10:00pm Dubtonic Kru

Voted one of the top 5 bands coming out of Jamaica 2015. Imagine heavy baselines, one drops, psychedelic guitar riffs, echoing keyboards, popping percussion and conscious lyricsNow imagine roots reggae, imagine dub, rock…Put them all together and you get a new breed of Jamaican music called DubTonic Kru

Like their style of music, Dubtonic is a mixture of two words "DUB", relating to the heavy drum and bass aspect of reggae music and "TONIC", referring to medicine. The eclectic blend of music and musicians are certainly medicine to one’s soul and after listening you simply just want more of this TONICIt's then no surprise, the level of positive energy that is shared through music between "Dubtonic Kru" and their listeners everywhere they perform.

Their versatility and capability in being able to serve the right dosage to their varying audiences was the edge they had over their counterparts when they were voted BEST NEW BAND IN THE WORLD" 2010 - 2011 at the Global Battle of the Bands World Finals in Malyasia, February 2011. After a fierce musical showdown of different genres that involved national finalists from numerous countries, the Executive Judges made the unanimous decision that awarded Dubtonic Kru top honors.

10:30pm - 12:00am DiMaschine featuring Bunny Jackson & Devon Brown 

If you want to listen to some great Reggae, DI MASCHINE should be you choice. DI MASCHINE consists of former members of the Award winning band INDIKA, Dub Dis and Rude BeatDI MASCHINE features, front man Big Bunny Jackson and the award winning vocalist Devon Brown. Providing the heartbeat of DI MASCHINE is the Drum and Bass duo of Yoab & the Ghost (Yoab Israh and Casper “the freaky ghost” Walker) they are Flanked by keyboardists Ryan Starr.Together they have over 30 years of experience on the Chicago music scene.

12:00pm - 1:30pm & 4:00pm - 5:30pm Uprizin Steel Band

Uprizin Steel Band (Caribbean/Steel Pan) Led by virtuoso Trinidadian-born steel drummer Lyndon Sorzano, Lyndon began playing Steel Drums at the age of 8. Uprizin perform jazz and contemporary music arranged for steel drums. In his native Trinidad, Lyndon performed with the renowned Neal & Massey All Stars and the Pamberi Steel Orchestra. He has since gained an international reputation as a steel drummer composer, arranger, and performer through extensive tours of Europe and Asia. Now a resident of Warren, MI Lyndon currently is the Leader of Uprizin Steel Drum Band in Detroit, and is an instructor for Caribbean Pans of Joy in Detroit. He has traveled through out Asia, Europe and the US representing Trinidad in numerous festivals and competition. Including the Caribbean and African World Festivals held at Hart Plaza, and the Art, Beats and Eats in Pontiac. The Uprizin trio also includes on lead and background vocals, adding spice, sweetening the sound from Trinidad Kelly Ann Stargell and the amazingly multi-talented crowd mover and impersonator Earl 'Melloman' Clark on keyboards lead and background vocals.

6:00pm - 7:30pm MidwestHype

Midwest Hype encapsulates the true definition of what it means to be Genrefree. Hailing from a cross-section of Midwestern cities with rich musical heritages such as Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, and Cleveland, the band brings together the vast musical influences of each member to create a sound that is drenched in intelligent hip-hop and soulful reggae, set to the driven background of progressive funk with flourishes of hard rock and jazz. With an extremely high-energy live show that never fails to capture the electricity in the air, Midwest Hype is a free-wheeling, dance floor mayhem-inducing force to be reckoned with.

8:00pm - 9:30pm Gizzae

Hailing from the beautiful Caribbean island of Dominica, the Ancient and Holy Lands of Ethiopia, comes the award winning reggae music of Gizzae. Rocket and Gizzae have been playing for crowds across the country for over 35 years! Their musical experiences have collectively earned them Grammy® awards, Chicago Music Awards and they have opened for some of the biggest names in Reggae. Working and playing with such a vast array of musical styles and talents has enabled Gizzae to create a unique blend of Roots Reggae. Gizzae's brand of jam-reggae is always backed with strong guitar solos and riffing, warm pads and ambient vibes from the dual keyboard players.

10:00pm - 11:30pm  Lazo

Former member of the Wailers. Honored with awards from industry peers, Lazo was chosen as the Top Reggae Performer of the Year from the internationally recognized Canadian Reggae Music Awards and along with many Juno (Canadian equivalent to the Grammy) nominations. Lazo tours tirelessly throughout the United States, Canada Central & South America, and the Caribbean with an eye to tackle Europe in 2015. His list of international festivals is ever growing, in recent year's adding Brazil’s Carnaval de Salvador and recently performed to an amazingly gracious crowd of fans in El Salvador.

12:00am - 1:30am  Dubtonic Kru

Voted one of the top 5 bands coming out of Jamaica 2015. Imagine heavy baselines, one drops, psychedelic guitar riffs, echoing keyboards, popping percussion and conscious lyricsNow imagine roots reggae, imagine dub, rock…Put them all together and you get a new breed of Jamaican music called DubTonic Kru

Like their style of music, Dubtonic is a mixture of two words "DUB", relating to the heavy drum and bass aspect of reggae music and "TONIC", referring to medicine. The eclectic blend of music and musicians are certainly medicine to one’s soul and after listening you simply just want more of this TONICIt's then no surprise, the level of positive energy that is shared through music between "Dubtonic Kru" and their listeners everywhere they perform.

Their versatility and capability in being able to serve the right dosage to their varying audiences was the edge they had over their counterparts when they were voted BEST NEW BAND IN THE WORLD" 2010 - 2011 at the Global Battle of the Bands World Finals in Malyasia, February 2011. After a fierce musical showdown of different genres that involved national finalists from numerous countries, the Executive Judges made the unanimous decision that awarded Dubtonic Kru top honors.

12:00am - 1:30am  DJ Assane

12:00pm - 1:30pm  Lion Heights

For the past 6 years, the members of Lion Heights have been backing up reggae acts locally and throughout the country. Although they are young, they have over 30 combined years of experience playing and studying music. Dane Foltin, Jeremy Carlson, and James Campbell met while studying at Columbia College Chicago and continued to play together in various reggae groups around the city before hooking up with singer Zion. In 2008, Foltin founded The Roots Rockers Club which Carlson and Campbell later joined. This group reached over 68,000 international viewers after being featured on the Bob Marley Facebook page . They also recorded an album which was released under their own DIY label- Dangerous Sound- entitled "Rise Up".

2:00pm - 3:30pm  Rhythm Life Collective (Formerly Dunuya Drum & Dance)

The troupe is a global drumming collective featuring music of West Africa and the Diaspora, including Cuba, the Caribbean, North Africa, and Brazil. A fundamental guiding principle of the group is that art should be accessible, affordable, and available to everyone. They strive to work with agencies and venues that share in this vision.  A central attribute of their shows is the opportunity for audience interaction, be it through singing, dancing, or playing instruments right along with them.

4:00pm - 5:30pm  Lion Heights

For the past 6 years, the members of Lion Heights have been backing up reggae acts locally and throughout the country. Although they are young, they have over 30 combined years of experience playing and studying music. Dane Foltin, Jeremy Carlson, and James Campbell met while studying at Columbia College Chicago and continued to play together in various reggae groups around the city before hooking up with singer Zion. In 2008, Foltin founded The Roots Rockers Club which Carlson and Campbell later joined. This group reached over 68,000 international viewers after being featured on the Bob Marley Facebook page . They also recorded an album which was released under their own DIY label- Dangerous Sound- entitled "Rise Up".

6:00pm - 7:30pm  Indika

Strong and Addictive Music. This is what Indika Reggae Band brings to their fans in every show. The band is proud to back U-Roy  Mushla one of the Mid-west best Reggae vocalists. giving their audience a full spectrum of Reggae flavor in the style of Jamaica’s Reggae Sunsplash Festival. 

The Indika Reggae Band itself has won several music awards in the Windy City. In addition to their own high energy shows, they have also been honored to back international Reggae artists such as Dennis Brown, Frankie Paul, Sugar Minott and U Roy. Between them they have over 150+ years of experience playing Reggae, Calypso and Soca music and numerous music awards.
The Members of Indika developed their talents on the island of Jamaica, giving them an authentic sound. They perform old Reggae favorites with new life, and add to the Reggae world with new original songs. Indika has made over ten appearances on the Jenny Jones TV show and was invited to performer at the legendary Apollo Theater in New York City.

 8:00pm - 9:30pm  Irie Trinity

Irie Trinity is a passionate, artistic female trio with a beautiful style of music and accompaniment that touches the heart. Their warmth of melody wraps you in a pure euphoria. These three ladies gracing the stage at the same time will bring back memories of Bob Marley's backing vocalist the I Threes.

10:00pm - 11:30pm  Pato Banton & the Now Generation

A Pato Banton concert is an event not to be missed and an experience not to be forgotten. Positive Vibrations abound with a beat to keep you on your dancing feet, while Pato delivers a message that is food for the mind and soul. Many have considered his charismatic performance as live theatre where no show is alike and audience members become participants in the experience. Pato dialogues with the crowd on a range of topics including current day events and spiritual freedom while keeping the vibes upbeat and fun! The direction of the concert is totally based on the feedback Pato receives from the audience as there is no fixed set list. Many have said that the positivity generated from the stage has changed their lives forever. Sometimes Pato invites his fans to join him in a prayer circle after the show, where some have cried while sharing their stories of contemplated suicide, isolation after losing a loved one, struggles with substance abuse and how their personal connection with Pato has given them the strength to “Stay Positive” & “Never Give In.”

12:00am - 1:30am  Zion Lion

Zion Lion is a Kalamazoo, Michigan-based seven members Roots Reggae band with a strong African influence.  They might be the best Reggae band in the Midwest and are undoubtedly the best new Reggae band.  Zion Lion is an all star combination of several bands from the Kalamazoo area who crossed each others path along the way and decided to form what they believe to be the right mix. Their members have many years experience in diverse genres of music including Steel Drums, Reggae, Zouk, Soukous Gospel, Jazz, Salsa as well as Latin and African rhythms. These musicians have played with local, national and internationally known performers in venues from small clubs to large cultural festivals, including Harmony Festival, Ya Maka My Weekend, Island Festival, Charlevoix Summer Festival, Grand Rapids African American Festival, Kalamazoo Black Arts Festival, Grand Rapids Caribbean Festival, Muskegon Summer Festival, Battle Creek's Vibe@5, Kentucky's Reggae Festival and was has been the headliner for the Bob Marley Birthday Bash Midwest Tour.

Visit Zion Lion's Website

12:00am - 1:30am  DJ Billy the Kid & Arubis