By Matt Grube & Todd Judd

It was a hot and humid weekend, both from the weather and the performances. The Ithaca Reggae Fest returned for its 7th year, this time as a three-day event. Once again, the festival took place at the picturesque Stewart Park in Ithaca, NY, with Cayuga Lake as the backdrop. This festival is like no other; it has a sweet, laid-back vibe where everyone enjoys the atmosphere and has an unforgettable time. I heard someone say that it’s like a day in Jamaica. While I may not go that far, there are certainly some great Jamaican vibes flowing throughout the festival. 

Thousands of people gathered in the spirit of reggae to promote connection and love within the community. “The vibe of Reggae Fest is really about peace, love, reggae, and community,” said Russ Friedell (one of the festivals organizers). “The message of reggae music is pretty universal — peace, love, love one another, come together. In these times, that message has never been more important for us all to remember.” And that is precisely what these three days provided us: peace, love, and unity.

Friday night kicked off the festivities with a free block party featuring Carter Van Pelt spinning reggae tunes that kept the crowd dancing. We also enjoyed performances from Evoevolution, Ononkwa Medicine, and the GIAC Jumpers. What a fantastic way to start the weekend fun!

Saturday began with some yoga sessions, followed by the first performance of the festival, the Gayogo̱hó:nǫˀ Cultural Celebration. Tribal members shared songs, stories, and dances with the crowd, even inviting them to join in some of the dances. It was a great experience for everyone involved. Throughout the day, the Flatland Freestyle US Pro/AM Championship skateboarding runs took place, showcasing some amazing athletes. DJ Mike Judah energized the crowd with fantastic reggae tunes, setting the stage for a lively atmosphere.

The Analogue Sons kicked off the party with a performance that included Cha Cha from Ghana, who contributed fantastic vocals. They brought an energetic reggae fusion to the stage, with a talented keyboard player and accompanying horns that added a sweet touch to their sound. Personal Blend later took the stage with their upbeat energy and harmonious sound. Both singers complemented each other beautifully, keeping the party atmosphere going strong.

The vibe shifted when Gun Poets hit the main stage, bringing a hip-hop groove. These artists know how to captivate the audience with impressive verse after impressive verse, and the energy soared as they engaged the crowd, who danced wildly in response.

Next up was SingTrece, who showcased a powerful and beautiful voice reminiscent of Etana. Her band was fantastic, bringing a funky R&B and reggae vibe to the audience. The background singers contributed to the energy with their stunning vocals. She concluded her set with a lovely rendition of “Signed, Sealed, Delivered.”

Mihali, who had a significant following at the festival, especially impressed a young fan who got the chance to meet him and receive an autograph. Mihali and his band delivered an incredible jam session, energizing the crowd and taking the party to another level. The audience thoroughly enjoyed his performance.

Black Lion from Malawi was accompanied by his band, Heatwav. Despite being a three-member group, they produced an incredible amount of sound. Their performance brought a roots reggae vibe that set the perfect stage for the main act, Kabaka Pyramid. Black Lion showcased fantastic guitar skills while delivering meaningful lyrics full of emotion.

Next up was Kabaka and The Bebble Rockers. This band is one of the best to grace the stage in today’s reggae scene. With Shane “Fyah Keys” on keyboards, Shackair on lead guitar, Jhada on rhythm guitar, Craig “Grizzlebassy” on bass, and Christopher on drums, they brought an immense sound and energy to the performance, capable of entertaining on their own.

As Kabaka stepped onto the stage, the crowd erupted with excitement. His performance was outstanding—possibly the best I have ever seen from him. He commanded the stage, the night, and the audience. He delivered many of his hits and even included some fantastic songs from other reggae artists (mimicking their styles) like Sizzla, Stephen “Ragga” Marley, and John Holt. Kabaka demonstrated why he is known as the lyrical deity and King Kabaka, dominating the stage with his powerful presence. He has quickly established himself as one of the top live performers on the scene!

It was truly the perfect way to end the night.

On Sunday morning, we woke up to rain and dark skies, which didn’t look promising. However, by noon, the skies cleared up, and we were ready for the final day of the Ithaca Reggae Fest at Stewart Park. Although the Yoga and Skateboard championships were canceled for the day, the festival continued! 

As we arrived at Stewart Park, the rain began to let up, so we stayed in the car for a while until we heard the bass resonating in the air. Steel Pulse was doing their sound check, and we quickly jumped out of the car and rushed to the stage to catch some of their music. Steel Pulse is known for being perfectionists, and their sound check seemed to go on for quite a while, which was fantastic. 

We noticed a guy standing nearby, soaking it all in, and the joy on his face was evident. We ended up spending the afternoon with him and his wife, Lynn and Patrick. They were really cool, and we felt like we made friends for life. That’s the beauty of a reggae show, strangers becoming friends. 

After Steel Pulse finished their sound check, DJ Art-V took over and played some incredible music to get the crowd energized. Steel Pulse had already done a great job of that, but Art-V really cranked it up another notch.

The first group to take the stage was the Notorious Stringbusters, a bluegrass six-piece that had the crowd dancing. Although I’ve never been particularly into bluegrass, I really enjoyed their energy, and the audience did too. What stood out was their unique twist on Toots songs with a bluegrass vibe—it was refreshing and interesting!

Next up was Ithaca’s own Metasequoia, who brought a distinctive blend of reggae fused with rock, alternative, pop, blues, and a psychedelic touch that came together beautifully. Star led with the keyboard and showcased a lovely voice, while Roo entertained the crowd by walking around the crowd and playing his guitar solo. Their performance had an ’80s vibe that everyone was really enjoying.

Double Tiger took the main stage with their roots reggae sound. These musicians are true virtuosos, and Jay’s reggae vocals are so perfect it feels like they came straight from JamRock. He commands the stage, and the band has complete control of the crowd. They were clearly a favorite, with the audience dancing and singing along to all their hits. Horns filled the air, and the drums delivered fantastic beats as New Planets took the stage, bringing their unique blend of a funk and reggae groove. Cha Cha joined them, adding some enchanting vocals to the mix. New Planets is undoubtedly a party band, and they got the crowd celebrating.

Next up was Giant Panda Guerrilla Dub Squad, and the excitement for Steel Pulse was palpable in the crowd. What can be said about GPGDS? They are masters of their craft, with each band member being an excellent musician who delivers an incredible performance. They jammed all night with boundless energy, combining world beats and reggae rhythms with jam band aesthetics for a perfect sound. The crowd fed off this energy, with everyone dancing and grooving to all their hits. Dylan and James sounded fantastic, sharing lead vocals and creating an amazing sound together.

Another band has joined the party: Thousands of One takes the stage with their exceptional blend of reggae, funk, afrobeats, hip-hop, and soul. The drums and congas create an upbeat groove, while the bass, saxophone, and keys fill the air with pure enjoyment. Meanwhile, DJ Lightyear showcases his skills with impressive cutting and scratching. Jhakeem not only delivers powerful rhymes but also possesses an incredible vocal sound that ties everything together. They definitely got the crowd hyped up for Steel Pulse, if they weren’t already excited.

Celebrating 50 years of music, 50 years of legacy, Steel Pulse, formed by David Hinds and Selwyn Brown, has created not just a band but a legacy that has brought bliss to the world through their music. Their songs convey significant messages about love, respect, visionary ideas, unity, and positivity. Each member of the group is a master of their instruments and vocals, and even after five decades, they continue to strive for and achieve greatness.

David Hinds stands out as possibly the greatest frontman for any band, delivering powerful vocals along with boundless energy and love. Selwyn Brown adds a mix of toughness and seriousness on stage, especially when he takes center stage to showcase his own vocals and dance moves. 

Since joining the group in 2012, David Elecciri Jr. has contributed electrifying guitar performances that are unmatched in excitement. Wayne “C-Sharp” Clark, who joined Steel Pulse in 2005, brings thrilling and inspiring drumming to the band, earning the title of a legend and perfectionist in his craft. Also joining in 2005 was Amlak Tafari, whose bass playing and energy are unparalleled in the reggae scene. He not only keeps the beat alive but also dances and entertains the crowd, jumping into the audience, who circled around him in admiration. Truly and inspiring moment.

With amazing saxophone and trumpet players, Steel Pulse delivered a perfect night of music. The band’s appeal spans generations, as shown by the diverse audience at the packed festival, which included both young fans and senior attendees. As the night drew to a close, they invited Jay from Double Tiger and Cha Cha, along with other performers from the festival, to jam with them on stage, bridging the gap between legends and emerging artists. The electrifying energy brought a perfect end to an incredible weekend.

As we were heading to our car for the three-hour drive home, we didn’t say much to each other. Although we have seen and photographed Steel Pulse several times in recent years, there was something special about this performance. There was something special about this weekend. This weekend was also unique. This festival is like no other; the atmosphere is different, the vibe is distinct, and the crowd is diverse. It has an easygoing feel, a relaxed ambiance, and a different kind of fun. Perhaps it’s the picturesque setting by Cayuga Lake, the hard work of Russ, Mike, and the rest of the crew who organize the event, the wonderful people attending, or the talented artists and bands performing. Maybe it’s all of this combined, but we left the festival with love in our hearts, peace on our minds, and a strong sense of community. We can’t wait for next year!

By Matt Grube & Todd Judd