There will be no Montreal International Reggae Festival this year. Promoters of the event, first held in 2004, made the announcement on its Facebook page last week.

“We are sorry to announce that our scheduled 15th anniversary festival will be put on hold until next year, 2019. It became clear in May that staging a quality three-day festival was not going to be possible. During our time away, we will be revamping and restructuring major parts of the festival behind the scenes to obtain a more organised and dynamic event for all concerned,” the statement read.

Promoters say the Montreal International Reggae Festival consistently attracts 30,000 fans to the city’s historic Old Port of Montreal. It adds to Montreal’s diverse summer music scene and arts scene which comprises the Montreal International Jazz Festival, held in June/July, and Osheaga, which takes place in July.

Over the years, reggae’s biggest names have graced the Montreal International Reggae Festival stage, including Beres Hammond, Sean Paul and Maxi Priest. Last year’s show fielded a strong line-up, including: Sanchez, Konshens, Charly Black, Etana, Degree and Pressure Busspipe.

It is the second major Canadian reggae show cancelled this year. The Calgary ReggaeFest, also first staged in 2004, was shelved because promoters wanted to revamp it.

— Howard Campbell