THE BLACK SEEDS return to Tofino Community Hall for the first time since their first Canadian west coast tour back in 2016! Longtime friends of our festival family and reggae lovers around the world, The Black Seeds are proof that the beating heart of reggae lies with the people, from whichever nation or part of the world they call home. For over two decades, The Black Seeds have been putting in the work and channeling the sound and heart of reggae, making some of the most diverse and dynamic reggae anywhere on the planet. It's been too long since we've seen our friends and we're excited to remedy that soon.
Joining them will be none other than ILLVIS FRESHLY! Hailing from Victoria, BC, Illvis Freshly blends Hip Hop, Funk, Rock, and Bass Music into a signature West Coast sound. After the definitive 2025 album "Illvis Has Left the Building" and a farewell performance in Victoria that left fans reeling, many thought the legend had finally ascended. It turns out, the afterlife was too quiet for this band of misfits. Haunted by the siren call of the subwoofers, the boys have clawed their way back from that great green room in the sky to reclaim their throne. The rumors of their demise were greatly exaggerated… Illvis is back in the building, back on the stage, and ready to prove that the encore is always better than the main set.
All Ages/Licensed for 19yrs + w/ID Kids 10 and under free with adult.
Thu Jun 25 2026
7:00 PM
$37.02
All Ages
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VICTORIA BC SKA & REGGAE SOCIETY
THE BLACK SEEDS & ILLVIS FRESHLY IN TOFINO!
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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. -
ILLVIS FRESHLY LIVE
Hip-Hop/Rap
Illvis Freshly proudly representing BC's capital (Victoria BC) consists of two emcees, a live guitarist, a live drummer, and a DJ / singer. Fusing live, electronic,and classic hip hop elements, makes Illvis both a unique and widely accessible act. Jesus Estevez (Doc Zoo) produces the beats, using a combination of synthesizers, live instrumentation, and the classic funk and soul samples quintessential to 90s hip-hop. The newest addition to the band, drummer Mike Cooper, is a karate master; his Bruce Lee level nun chuck skills are matched only by his super human drumming abilities and infectious live energy. Guitar wizard and crowd surfing aficionado Phil Lyons (Phillionaire) is a wildly entertaining performer; he is also well known for his ludicrously catchy riffs and face melting solos. Doc Zoo and Dan Howse (Danimal House), the two MCs, are all about live energy and stage presence, captivating the crowd with lightning fast flows and dynamic lyricism. In addition to spinning beats and scratching, Justin Doyle (DJ Mt. Doyle), has the voice of an angel, singing falsetto leads and backup vocals while holding it down on the turntables. In an industry where it has become increasingly difficult to be original, the boys have created something special with this project. Their sound can best be described as, Beastie Boys meets Jurassic 5, with some bass heavy flavor in the mix.
Their albums and numerous remixes released from 2015 - to the present have received local and international attention in the world-wide hip hop, funk, and electronic scenes, establishing them as one of the most progressive, accessible, and fun acts in Canadian Hip Hop. Illvis Freshly is, “one of those bands you have to see live”. They have had the opportunity to bring their feel good party vibes to a number of amazing festivals including: Shambhala, Rifflandia, Astral Harvest, Electric Love, Fozzyfest, Boogaloo, Kamp Festival, High Times Cannabis Cup, Quadrapalooza, Victoria Ska and Reggae Festival, and, Tall Tree Music Festival (to name a few). They have played countless shows across the West Coast of Canada and have begun to branch out into international markets. They have had the honour of sharing the stage with some of their mentors such as: Souls of Mischief, Ghostface Killah, Merkules, De La Soul, The Beatnuts, Stylust Beats, DubFX, and Grieves. A new addition to their live show is the formation of, ‘IllvisFreshly LIVE’, a full band show featuring bass guitar, keys, horns, and a second guitarist. The full live band made it’s grand debut in the summer of 2018 and will be playing at Victoria's 19th Annual Ska & Reggae Festival and other select shows across the West Coast of Canada. In conclusion, to sum it up, the boys are here to play some dope music, eat pizza, and have a good time... and they are most definitely succeeding at all three.
$37.02 All Ages
THE BLACK SEEDS return to Tofino Community Hall for the first time since their first Canadian west coast tour back in 2016! Longtime friends of our festival family and reggae lovers around the world, The Black Seeds are proof that the beating heart of reggae lies with the people, from whichever nation or part of the world they call home. For over two decades, The Black Seeds have been putting in the work and channeling the sound and heart of reggae, making some of the most diverse and dynamic reggae anywhere on the planet. It's been too long since we've seen our friends and we're excited to remedy that soon.
Joining them will be none other than ILLVIS FRESHLY! Hailing from Victoria, BC, Illvis Freshly blends Hip Hop, Funk, Rock, and Bass Music into a signature West Coast sound. After the definitive 2025 album "Illvis Has Left the Building" and a farewell performance in Victoria that left fans reeling, many thought the legend had finally ascended. It turns out, the afterlife was too quiet for this band of misfits. Haunted by the siren call of the subwoofers, the boys have clawed their way back from that great green room in the sky to reclaim their throne. The rumors of their demise were greatly exaggerated… Illvis is back in the building, back on the stage, and ready to prove that the encore is always better than the main set.
All Ages/Licensed for 19yrs + w/ID Kids 10 and under free with adult.
Joining them will be none other than ILLVIS FRESHLY! Hailing from Victoria, BC, Illvis Freshly blends Hip Hop, Funk, Rock, and Bass Music into a signature West Coast sound. After the definitive 2025 album "Illvis Has Left the Building" and a farewell performance in Victoria that left fans reeling, many thought the legend had finally ascended. It turns out, the afterlife was too quiet for this band of misfits. Haunted by the siren call of the subwoofers, the boys have clawed their way back from that great green room in the sky to reclaim their throne. The rumors of their demise were greatly exaggerated… Illvis is back in the building, back on the stage, and ready to prove that the encore is always better than the main set.
All Ages/Licensed for 19yrs + w/ID Kids 10 and under free with adult.
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