Victoria Ska Festival

The Victoria Ska and Reggae Festival is back with a massive lineup a quarter century in the making. Running from June 19 to 23, the beloved event now in its 25th year features heavy-hitting headliners from the event’s titular genres across both free and ticketed presentations.

Ska fans can look forward to marquee sets from Less Than Jake, The Suicide Machines, The Slackers, and The Planet Smashers, whereas reggae-lovers will enjoy Gondwana, Macka B & the Roots Ragga Band, Big Mountain, Mungo’s Hi Fi with Marina P and Ammoye.

Gondwana particularly represents a longstanding relationship between the festival and South American artists. While they may not be immediately recognizable to many North American reggae fans, the group are bona fide stars in their home country of Chile. Mexico’s Antidoping and Colombia’s Skampida are other acts bringing some Latin flair to the festival’s free outdoor concert series.

While the festival has always retained a focus on Jamaican-rooted music, it’s never been afraid to feature big names from related genres such as jazz, R&B, punk, and hip-hop. This philosophy is best exemplified in a headlining performance by iconic political rap group Dead Prez.

For festival founder Dane Roberts, the journey remains just as important as the destination.

"A lot of the bands on the bill we have worked with extensively and developed close friendships [with],” says Roberts. “Other bands that are new are excited to play at the festival and we feel good vibes from them. Of course, we need the festival to thrive and do well so it can continue, but the process of organizing it and the people we connect with is equally important. It is the latter that's made it worthwhile and what's kept me doing this all along."

Look no further than the festival’s closing show to see this focus on lifelong relationships in action. Sunday’s free show is being headlined by Chris Murray, a Canadian cult ska hero who played the festival’s first edition back in 2000.

Shows take place at Ship Point Inner Harbour, Victoria Curling Club, Wicket Hall, and Lucky Bar. Full festival passes and individual tickets are on sale now on