THE BLACK SEEDS, FIVE ALARM FUNK, TANIKA CHARLES, LOS FURIOS, DJ KEMO @ Victoria's 27th Annual Ska & Reggae Festival
Sat, 27 Jun, 7:30 PM PDT
Victoria Curling Club
1952 Quadra Street, Victoria, BC V8T 4C2
Description
Here at the Victoria Ska & Reggae Festival we believe that Saturday night is a night for one thing – PARTYING. And with that in mind we're going all out for a soulful, punky, dubby Saturday night Funk party. Coming all the way from the land of the long white cloud, New Zealand reggae-funk-rockers
Getting things rowdy-rowdy with The Black Seeds is one of the most powerful live bands to ever blast out of the west coast, FIVE ALARM FUNK. If you've been around the west coast music scene for any amount of time, there's a good chance you've encountered the monster that is Five Alarm Funk. But for the uninitiated: Five Alarm Funk delivers a relentlessly pulsing show that radiates an energy unlike anything you've ever felt. Try not to dance at a Five Alarm Funk show and you will fail, for it is a truly impossible task. When Five Alarm Funk gets in front of an audience there is no choice but to take their lead and follow them into the groovy abyss, a place where feet move, asses shake and bodies sweat.
To keep to the proceedings smooth, warm and remind you what love itself sounds like, we're excited to welcome back one of Canada's brightest, most dynamic soul singers, TANIKA CHARLES. Charles has been a roll since the last time she was on our stage, headlining Garden City Grooves 2024. Last year she released the highly acclaimed album Reasons to Stay, winning new fans and garnering seemingly unanimous critical praise. No matter what stripe of music fan you consider yourself, there are few quicker ways to fill your heart than a Tanika Charles set. We're bringing back our old friends, Vancouver's legendary ska rapscallions LOS FURIOS. One of the most high-energy bands Vancouver has ever birthed, Los Furios has been assaulting ear drums (positive) for 25 with their unique blend of punk, ska and reggae. They're gonna get this party blasting across the alkali flats in a jet-powered, monkey-navigated...well, you get the idea. Keeping our feet moving between sets for this Saturday night party is the mighty DJ KEMO. Expect the finest in Latin music, hip-hop, funk, reggae and soul when he's behind the 1s and 2s.
Event Information
Age Limit
All Ages
Reggae
THE BLACK SEEDS
THE BLACK SEEDS
Reggae
Wherever you are in the world, it’s the sound that keeps you ‘So True’. The Black Seeds have taken their distinctive homegrown sound of consciousness, community and humanity to the world, building a devoted international fanbase alongside loyal local fans, since launching their soulful roots-reggae fusion more than two decades ago.
Anchored by a consistent core of band members, The Black Seeds sound celebrates a spirit of togetherness and seeing the best in the people we share our days with. Despite massive change in the way music is produced and performed, alongside seismic evolutions in the way the world communicates, The Black Seeds’ message remains resolutely focused on the power of people to make progress together.
With seven original albums and yet more new music on the way, The Black Seeds’ primary songwriting team of Barnaby Weir and Dan Weetman deliver reflections on love, relationships, triumphs and pushing through adversity. It is music that aims to uplift and give a sense of consciousness in our changing world. It is clear The Black Seeds still have much to say; it is clear there are many who want to hear it.
Over the past 25 years the band has crafted an energetic live set to emerge as one of the most recognisable and revered live acts Aotearoa has produced. Abroad, The Black Seeds is an authentic pioneer of New Zealand’s internationally-renowned roots musical movement; at home they’re as indispensable in summer as hot chips at the beach and road-trips with mates. Since forming in Wellington city in 1998, The Black Seeds have brewed their own distinctive sound of pacific funk and soul, layered on a solid foundation of dub roots-reggae.
Funk
FIVE ALARM FUNK
FIVE ALARM FUNK
Funk
Five Alarm Funk is Canada's premiere sonic and visual assault. With 20 years experience, in high voltage Funk infusion, FAF has carved a new path of live entertainment. The engagement, the hilarity, the precision and execution have heralded these manic Funk Bots with eight studio albums, two JUNO nominations, three Western Canadian Music Awards and a rap sheet of positive reviews. Over the last 20 years, the band has toured premiere festivals across the globe in Canada, USA, Taiwan and even all the way to Mali, Africa at the UN headquarters. Five Alarm is ready to take this fun, energized, atomic economic sonic and visual ritual to your doorstep. In the words of front man & drummer Tayo Branston: "Let's Funkin’ GO!!"
R&B
Tanika Charles
Tanika Charles
R&B
Formerly the best kept secret in soul music, Toronto-based Tanika Charles has become a known staple of
the genre both at home and abroad. Her music revels in honesty and attitude, her live show is high energy
and endearing, and she continues to win audiences over one stream, one Shazam and one encore at a time.
In 2016 Tanika independently released her debut album “Soul Run”, which would be re-released through
the Italian label Record Kicks in 2017. “Soul Run” was long-listed for the 2016 Polaris Music Prize and
nominated for the 2017 Juno Award for best R&B/Soul Recording of the Year.
Tanika’s 2019 sophomore album “The Gumption” picks up where “Soul Run” left off, continuing her
tradition of marrying classic soul with modern production and instrumentation. She was again long-listed
for the 2019 Polaris Music Prize and had the honour of being named the inaugural Polaris artist-in-
residence for 2020 at the Studio Bell National Music Centre. In early 2020 “The Gumption” was
nominated for the Juno Awards 2020 R&B/Soul Recording of the Year. April 2022 has brought the release
of her critically acclaimed new record “Papillon de Nuit: The Night Butterfly.” The album continues
Tanika's incredible streak of albums, further cementing her place in the pantheon of Canadian soul music.
Backed by her band The Wonderfuls, Tanika has embarked on five international tours since releasing Soul
Run, performing in front of many thousands of fans across nine countries. Tanika’s live show oscillates
between faithful recreations of her studio recordings and revealing influences of rock, gospel and country
influences.
Reggae
LOS FURIOS
LOS FURIOS
Reggae
Los Furios is a high-energy Ska/Reggae/Indie band that is quickly rising to international notoriety. Since 2002 they have been committed to entertaining their live audiences with a mash up of music. Los Furios performs an intense mix of reggae and punk infused ska originals (complete with a horn section) sure to get you out on the dance floor! Touring Canada, USA and Mexico, the band has won over a new fan base every show. They play in festivals and major venues all over North America. Los Furios have shared the stage with bands like Bad Manners, Aggrolites, Fishbone, Toasters, English Beat, Mad Caddies, Slackers, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Planet Smashers, Creepshow, Katchafire, Slackers, Chris Murray, Pietasters, Inspector, Maskatesta, Mama Pulpa, Rastrillos, Los Benders, Adhesivo, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Westbound Train, Pepper, DOA, Bedouin Soundclash, Vans Warp Tour etc etc etc. Los Furios have been around the block a few times all over the place. Don't miss out on the live show. You won't regret it. Vamanos!
Turntablists
DJ Kemo
DJ Kemo
Turntablists
Kemo is a well-respected DJ in his scene, spinning music from all Latin genres, hip hop, funk, soul, reggae, top 40, and more. Because his musical influences cross all genres, he is able to entertain a crowd of any size and taste. His DJing has taken him to venues across Canada and the USA, throughout South America from Chili to Colombia, Mexico, Europe and Africa. Kemo has not only become a recognized figure in Vancouver's scene but also in the Canadian & US music industry. He has won numerous JUNOS, SOCAN, ASCAP, and MUCH MUSIC awards in the past three decades.
These accomplishments have only pushed him to developas a producer and artist. DJ Kemo is recognized mostly for his work with the Rascalz on the songs “Top Of The World” and “Northern Touch” but he has also produced hits such as the worldwide billboard smash “DANGEROUS” by Kardinal Offishall & Akon. His work also includes various productions for other prominent Canadian and US artists such as Swollen Members, K-OS, SNOW, Pitbull, Fito Blanko & Tanika Charles.