Positive Vibration, Festival of Reggae
Vicky Andrews
The UK’s award-winning festival of reggae, Positive Vibration, returns to Liverpool’s Baltic Quarter in September with a bass-busting line-up of international artists, legendary sound systems and selectors, alongside some of the brightest new talent.
Founded in the Baltic Triangle by DJ and promoter Rory Taylor, Positive Vibration has been celebrated for its unique programme of reggae music, spoken word, art, food and workshops. The event is one of the best festivals in Liverpool’s cultural calendar and has grown from small beginnings to a multi-venue festival including Camp and Furnace, District, Yard, Hangar 34, and 92 Degrees.
Positive Vibration 2021 takes place on 10 and 11 September and will feature performances from a stellar line-up of the world’s most important and vital reggae artists including DJ Vadim, General Levy, Hollie Cook, Mad Professor, Gentleman’s Dub Club, The Nextmen, Tippa Irie, The Neville Staple Band, Don Letts, General Roots, Levi Tafari and many more.
A highlight of the festival will be the return of The Art of Reggae Exhibition – a successful collaboration between Positive Vibration and the International Reggae Poster Contest (IRPC). The exhibition, which supports the Alpha Boys School in Kingston, Jamaica, showcases 100 reggae-inspired posters designed by illustrators and artists from all over the world, including Jamaica, Iran, Ghana, Brazil, Russia, the U.S, China, the UK and beyond.
As well as raising funds for the Alpha Boys School, the exhibition raises awareness of the fantastic work the school does. Set up in 1880 by the Sisters of Mercy, the school provides education and musical tuition to underprivileged youths in Kingston, Jamaica. Alumni of the school include The Skatalites, Rico Rodriguez, Desmond Dekker, Leroy ‘Horsemouth’ Wallace and Yellowman, amongst many other great musicians. A venue hasn’t been confirmed for The Art of Reggae Exhibition just yet, but further details will be revealed soon.
Positive Vibration prides itself on being a very family-friendly festival and there are specific events aimed at children and young people, including creative, educational and dance workshops. Children under 12 have free entry to the festival with a paying parent or guardian and teenagers can get a reduced price ticket with a pre-purchased adult ticket.
