Reggae Fest changes are fine with promoter

By John Benson

The producer is expecting 3,000 reggae music lovers to attend this year’s event.

11111“It was always in Huntsburg, but year after year more and more people said they wanted to camp out,” Malley said. “A lot of people wouldn’t get there until 3 p.m. or 4 p.m. in the afternoon and then it ended at 9 p.m. It was over so quick, so that was the idea behind the decision to really stretch it out and make it a weekend.

“Plus, I like the idea that it really is one of the premier reggae festivals in the United States. It has me very excited. So now it’s a three-day festival with lots more headliners and it’s a much bigger reggae festival.”

Mid West Reggae Fest starts Friday and goes through Sunday at Nelson Ledges Quarry Park.

While last year’s event attracted roughly 2,000 people, Malley is expecting this year’s festival attendance to reach 3,000 reggae music lovers.

“By far, this is the biggest project I’ve ever undertaken,” Malley said. “I’m super-confident this year because based on the last 16 years’ experience, plus with the strength of this year’s lineup, this will be the biggest reggae festival I ever put on.”

Among this year’s featured acts are veteran reggae bands Shinehead and Culture, as well as up-and-coming St. Croix-based outfit Midnite.

However, there are two big hitters in Malley’s lineup that have him really excited.

“Beres Hammond is arguably the biggest name in reggae for the last couple of decades, and that can be proven by just looking at the Jamaican music charts,” Malley said. “Hammond is just a giant in Jamaican music and one of the biggest acts I’ve ever booked for the reggae festival, so I’m very excited about him.”

He added, “And then Yellowman brings a smile to everyone’s face because anyone who is into reggae has certainly heard of Yellowman. He’s been big on reggae charts since the late ’70s. He has tons of records out and is a great entertainer. He’s very amusing and he’s a legend. In Jamaica they call him a DJ, which is like what we call a rapper in the United States. He made that style very popular.”

Other live acts scheduled to perform include Marty Dread, Carlos Jones & The PLUS Band, The Ark Band, Deighton Charlemagne, Taj Weekes & Adowa, Umojah, Newleaf and more.

What’s interesting to Malley are the preconceived notions people may have regarding a weekend-long reggae festival taking place at a campsite.

“I think the biggest misconception that people have about reggae is that it’s somewhat dangerous,” Malley said, laughing, “Anytime I’ve ever been involved with reggae, security guys always laugh and say we didn’t even need any security. There’s never even been a fight at this festival in the last 16 years.

“There have been zero altercations. So I think some people say, ‘reggae’ and then chuckle like something crazy is going on out there, and it’s just not true. It’s very family-friendly and very fun.”