Austin Reggae Festival Returns To Help Fight Hunger

AUSTIN, TX — The first day of the Austin Reggae Festival went off without a hitch on Friday, with pleasant weather enveloping attendees swaying to the soul-soothing music. The theme at this year's event embodied the vibe at the Vic Mathias Shores: "What Unity in the Community Sounds Like."

Gates opened at 3 p.m., and attendees had already settled in soon after as they watched the concert on blankets along the spacious green space. An intent crowd stood near the stage, listening to authentic Jamaican artists sing songs of love, peace and unity. Along the perimeter of the grounds, food merchants offered their wares for sale alongside others selling drinks and souvenir merchandise.

Given that message of goodwill, it's appropriate that proceeds from the three-day concert benefit the Central Texas Food Bank in its mission to feed the hungry. Last year alone, the festival generated more than 620,000 meals for Central Texans facing hunger, making it one of the Food Bank’s largest single fund- and food-raising events. Over the course of five years, festival proceeds have enabled the purchase of more than 2.2 million meals for those experiencing food shortages throughout Central Texas.

Things kicked off on Good Friday with The Late Ones, not from Jamaica but Laie, Hawaii. Brothers Tui Avei (lead vocals), and Tau Avei (vocals), along with cousin Josh Brunson (vocals) are the voices. Hempress Sativa from Kingston, Jamaica, followed. "A multi-faceted young talent, Hempress Sativa is propelling Jamaican Muzik into the future maintaining a strong foundation that makes her Muzik timeless," concert organizers wrote.

Rounding out the lineup was Don Carlos, one of reggae’s true living legends. His interpretative style is informed by an upbringing in one of the most deprived regions of Western Kingston, Jamaica, in a district notoriously known as Waterhouse. This region also has emerged as a musical spawning ground for many of Reggae’s greatest ever talents, such as King Tubby, original member of Black Uhuru, The Jays, Junior Reid and King Jammy to name but a few.

The inimitable Don Carlos, a true reggae legend, took to the stage to wrap up the festival's first day. Photo by Tony Cantú/Patch staff.

Don Carlos sound clip: “Young Girl”

Hempress Sativa sound clip: “Boom Shakalak”

The Late Ones sound clip: “Own Up”

The music continues through Sunday. If you go, refer to the guidelines in terms of what you can bring in. Patch took a bottle of water on the first day, making the mistake of taking a few sips en route. Because it was no longer sealed, the water had to be drunk outside the premises for fear of wasting it. One is allowed a bottle of water per person, but it has to be unopened. Click here to see what's allowed to be brought into the grounds.

The universe seemingly endorsed the Austin Reggae Festival given the positioning of the moon over the concert stage as Don Carlos wrapped up his performance on Sunday. Photo by Tony Cantú/Patch staff.

Here's the remaining lineup:

SATURDAY, APRIL 20:

Gates open at noon

12:30: Lion Heights (Austin). They trace their origins to the west side of Chicago in 2013, when friends Dane Foltin (bass/voice), Jeremy Carlson (keys/voice) and James Campbell (guitar) came together while studying music at Columbia College. Lion Heights is mainly influenced by the roots music that was pumping out of Jamaica in the 60s and 70s. However, combining aspects of soul and R&B helps them to introduce reggae music to new audiences.

Lion Heights sound clip: “Ain’t What It Seems”

2:00: Grimy Styles (Austin). In a departure from the traditional reggae songwriting intrinsic to Jamaican dub, this longtime Austin favorite draws inspiration from many artists spanning from Pink Floyd to Slayer and Astor Piazzola to U2. Grimy Styles offers classically inspired melodica and guitar driven melodies, while drum and bass point back to the fundamental rhythms of King Tubby and Lee Perry.

Grimy Styles sound clip: “Jr Kong Pt 1”

3:30: General Smiley / Lakandon (Los Angeles). He began his career in the late 70’s at Studio One under the direction of Sir Coxsone Dodd as one half of the legendary ‘Michigan and Smiley’. The duo recorded their first number one hit, ‘Rub a Dub Style’, followed by ‘Nice up the Dance’ in 1978 and were later one of the first artists distributed on Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong Label with their worldwide smash hit ‘One Love Jamdown’ in 1980. Currently General Smiley continues to tour and perform with his Texas based band Lakandon (aka Dub Gideon) and is preparing to release his latest album ‘Lone Star General’ by mid 2019, featuring songs from various Texas Reggae production teams.

General Smiley sound clip: “Natty Natty”

5:00: Jah9 (Kingston, Jamaica). Deeply mystical, Jah9 has emerged from a chrysalis of poetry, dub and spirit to become a powerful femiNINE energy within a universal grassroots movement of consciousness. Inspired by the open spaces in the instrumental dub of 1970’s Jamaican roots music, Jah9 sings with a voice that belies the dimensions of her physical body, from a soul much older than its current vessel; “reminiscent of that darkly operatic wailer for truth & justice, Nina Simone.” Her philosophy–profoundly spiritual, and her style–Jazz on Dub.
Jah9 sound clip: “Heaven (Ready Fi Di Feeling)”

6:45: Baby Cham (Kingston, Jamaica). A Jamaican-born rapper, singer-songwriter and actor, Cham is most well known for his 2006 single “Ghetto Story” from his major label debut album of the same name, a song which led to multiple “story” songs by other artists in a similar vein. Throughout his career, Cham has collaborated with many hip hop and R&B artists such as Foxy Brown, Alicia Keys, Carl Thomas, Shawn Mims, Mis-Teeq, Rihanna, Che’Nelle, Jentina, Akon, and T-Pain, Keke Palmer and many others.

Baby Cham sound clip: “Ghetto Story”

8:30: Mykal Rose (Kingstom, Jamaica). For over 25 years, Michael Rose has been recording and performing his brand of militant, hardcore Jamaican music to the delight of reggae fans around the world. As a solo artist, with Black Uhuru, and back as a solo artist, the “Ruff” Rose has achieved great success throughout his career, even as different Jamaican musical styles have phased in and out of popularity. As a solo artist, Michael regularly tours the U.S. and Europe, and has maintained his Jamaican fan base with hit singles on the island and abroad. He is a modern roots singer, and fits perfectly into today’s scene. With a glorious past and a wide-open future, Michael Rose is truly a reggae superstar.

Mykal Rose sound clip: “Sidewalk Steppa”

10:00: Park closes for Saturday, April 20

SUNDAY, APRIL 21:

Buy tickets here

Gates open at noon

Note: For Sunday, April 21 only, one free entry with each paid ticket if you enter park before 3:00 pm

12:15: Starlighter (San Antonio). Blending the best of reggae and ska and rock into an intoxicating mix, this nine-piece outfit brings dancing rhythms from the West Side of San Antonio. Members of the band include Alberto “Beto” Barragan, Jacob Guerrero, John Michael Leija, Leonardo “Leo” Tellez, Hugo Funes, Phillip Chavarria, and Nick Valdez. Starlighter was the name of Jacob’s grandfather’s band in the 1950’s.

Starlighter sound clip: “Carless Whisper”

1:45: Roots from the Clay (Houston). Texas’ fastest-rising roots reggae band, RFTC aims to encourage people through positive music. Their music confronts real-world issues: Racial equality, poverty and relationships are honestly examined through a pulsing reggae beat. Roots From The Clay’s influences come from Jamaican Roots, Lovers Rock, Dub and Dancehall Reggae music from the 70’s through the 2000’s.

Roots From the Clay sound clip: “Brave Warrior”

3:15: Mau Mau Chaplains (Austin). Producing “iriginal” roots reggae with five part harmonies backed by 150 man-years of stage experience, the Mau Mau Chaplains include veteran musicians from the 80’s reggae group The Lotions, as well as country/reggae phenomenon “I-Tex”, the Killer Bees, Pressure amongst others. Just close your eyes and listen and you’ll be transported to Jamaica on their magical wave of riddems.

Mau Mau Chaplains sound clip: “Walk On By”

4:45: Etana (Kingston, Jamaica). Her name means “the Strong One” in Swahili, and it’s a title she more than lives up to with her music and presence. Since debuting in 2006 with the thought-provoking single “Wrong Address,” this Jamaican-born singer has established herself as one of the most powerful and distinctive voices in reggae, blazing a new trail for dozens of other young female artists in a genre that has long been male-dominated. On December 7, 2018, Etana’s “Reggae Forever” was nominated for the 61st Annual Grammy Awards for Best Reggae Album.

Etana sound clip: “I Rise”

6:30: Cocoa Tea (Clarendon Parish, Jamaica). He is one of reggae’s most talented and versatile artistes. Cocoa Tea’s smooth, easy-going vocal presentation (pre-recorded or live) have become his trademark, earning him wide international acclaim. Hits such as “Lost MY Sonia,” “Tune In” and “Rocking Dolly” have become world anthems in reggae land.
Cocoa Tea sound clip: “Hurry Up and Come”
8:15: Freddie McGregor (Clarendon Parish, Jamaica). This internationally-acclaimed, Grammy-nominated singer reached the U.K top ten hit in 1987 for his hit single “Just Don’t Want To Be Lonely.” He has made significant contributions to reggae music since inception, and has also helped to shape it with his conscious lyrics and Philly-Soul style for over 50 years. Close out the 2019 Austin Reggae Festival on a high note with the melodic sounds of one of this genre’s most prolific voices!

Freddie McGregor sound clip: “I Was Born A Winner”

9:30: Park closes for Sunday, April 21

More details:

• Buy a VIP Pass, a Three Day Wristband or a single day ticket here to attend the 2019 Austin Reggae Festival at Auditorium Shores in Downtown Austin.
• A portion of all ticket sales for the 2019 Austin Reggae Festival benefits the Central Texas Food Bank.
• Follow the Austin Reggae Festival on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

From April 10:

AUSTIN, TEXAS — The Austin Reggae Festival returns this month for another year of celebrating great music and fighting hunger in Central Texas.

The three-day festival on Friday, April 19 through Sunday, April 21, at Vic Mathias Shores benefits the Central Texas Food Bank, allowing the Food Bank to provide meals to thousands of Central Texans facing hunger.

Last year alone, the festival generated more than 620,000 meals for Central Texans facing hunger, making it one of the Food Bank’s largest single fund- and food-raising events, organizers said in a press advisory. Over the last five years, proceeds from the Austin Reggae Festival have provided more than 2.2 million meals, officials added.

“The Austin Reggae Festival is a vital part of helping the Food Bank serve our neighbors in need,” said Derrick Chubbs, President and CEO of the Central Texas Food Bank. “Despite our best efforts, Central Texas is facing a meal gap that leaves nearly 30 percent of our neighbors without food assistance in their time of need. Thanks to the generosity of festival organizers and attendees, the Food Bank will be able to bring nourishing food to thousands who might otherwise go without.”

A portion of the festival ticket price benefits the Food Bank. Patrons will also be able to make monetary or credit card donations to the Food Bank during the festival. Food bank officials said they're able to turn every dollar donated into four meals, making every donation count in the organization’s efforts at serving nearly 46,000 people each week, one third of them children.

“Over the last decade, dub music fans coming to the Austin Reggae Festival each April have helped to raise more than $1,000,000 for the Central Texas Food Bank,” said festival producer Pat Costigan. “Helping those in need is a central theme of the music we celebrate at the festival and we are extremely proud of what we’ve accomplished over the years to help Central Texans in need.”

For its 26th anniversary, the Austin Reggae Festival features another great lineup, with performances by Don Carlos, Mykal Rose, Freddie McGregor, Hempress Sativa, Baby Cham, Cocoa Tea, Jah9, Etana, General Smiley, Mau Mau, The Late Ones, Grimy Styles, Roots from the Clay, Lion Heights, and Starlighter. This year’s Master of Ceremonies will once again be Jah Ray.

There will also be a large market area offering clothes, jewelry and other great gift ideas from around the world, as well as several food vendors cooking up dishes from around the world and a selection of local craft brews. Check out www.austinreggaefest.com for a list of what can and cannot be brought into the event.

When purchased in advance at www.austinreggaefest.com, general admission tickets are $15 for Friday, $25 for Saturday and $15 for Sunday. Three-day wristbands are $45 and are only available by advance purchase. Single-day tickets will be available at the gate Friday and Sunday for $20 and Saturday for $30. And on Sunday, tickets purchased at the gate are priced at two-for-one until 3:00 p.m. If you want to get closer to the action (and enjoy the music from a seat in the shade), consider VIP tickets priced at $95 daily for Friday and Sunday and $120 for Saturday.

Gates open at 3 p.m. on Friday and at noon on Saturday and Sunday. The park closes at 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday nights and at 9:30 p.m. on Sunday. On Saturday only, a free shuttle bus will run from the TX DOT Riverside Campus at 150 East Riverside Drive to Vic Mathias Shores. A limited amount of free parking will be available in the TX DOT lots.

Here are some scenes from last year for a glimpse into the musical offerings:

For the most updated information on the Austin Reggae Festival, visit https://www.facebook.com/AustinReggaeFest/

https://twitter.com/austinreggae
https://www.instagram.com/austinreggaefestival/

Or follow the Central Texas Food Bank at:

https://www.facebook.com/CentralTexasFoodBank/
https://twitter.com/CTXFoodBank
https://www.instagram.com/ctxfoodbank/