JAMAICAN sound system culture will take centre stage at this year’s staging of the Montreal International Reggae Festival, which unfolds in the French-Canadian city from August 26 to 28.

The reggae festival, now in its 13th staging and dubbed ‘Festival with the Festival’, is scheduled for the Old Port of Montreal.

The sound system tribute — an integral part of Jamaica’s export — is scheduled for August 26. It will feature dub plates from some of Canada’s most popular sounds.

The offering is being bolstered by three of the most popular acts of sound system culture — deejays Josey Wales, Charlie Chaplin and Brigadier Jerry.

According to the organisers, each deejay will perform a special live set backed by a sound system in a segment dubbed ‘Three the Hard Way.’

Sound system tribute aside, the headliners at this years’ festival are Cocoa Tea, Mavado, Barrington Levy, Elephant Man, Sanchez, Spragga Benz, Vershon, Romain Virgo, and Jahmiel. In addition to the Jamaican acts, two-time JUNO nominee and Canadian songstress Ammoye will grace the stage as well as Sielle. Roots-influenced Kaisha Lee, upcoming singer Mel Dube, and soca act Olatunji and Vern Maytone also make the cut.

— Richard Johnson