Legends Of Roots Reggae 2024
13th October 2024

This show has moved to 13th October 2024 from 28th April 2024. All tickets bought for the original date remain valid. 

Following on from last years sold out show Irie Heights proudly present the hugely anticipated second edition of Legends of Roots Reggae featuring for the first time together on stage in the UK, living legends Big Youth, Linval Thompson, The Meditations and Little Roy alongside the Mafia & Fluxy band

These trailblazing Artists are part of a golden generation of Jamaican artists who have played an important role in the evolution of Reggae into a global phenomenon

Big Youth is an internationally acclaimed ‘Toaster’ whose lyrical dexterity has influenced artists from various types of dance music such as hip hop, dancehall, jungle and grime. In a career spanning 6 decades he has released countless singles and albums, toured internationally, and helped set the standard for a whole generation of Toasters/DJs to follow. He also starred in the iconic film ‘Rockers’ in 1977 and more recently in 2019 he appeared in the musical documentary “Inna De Yard .

Linval Thompson is a legendary Reggae singer and pioneering record producer who has worked alongside Dennis Brown, the Wailing Souls, Eek A Mouse and Freddy Mcgregor. His seminal album “Don’t you cut offf your Dreadlocks “ was released in 1975 at the height of the era of militant Pan-Africanist lyrics and Rastafarian consciousness and to this day endures as one of the essential roots classics of the 1970’s. He also produced a number of excellent dub albums with Sly & Robbie and the mercurial Scientist.

Revered as one of Roots Reggae’s finest harmony trios the Meditations have captured the hearts of Reggae fans across the world. They recorded their first hit single Woman is Like A Shadow in 1974 at Channel One Studio followed by the release of their first two albums “Message from the Meditations” and “Wake Up” which have become timeless classics. They have collaborated with the iconic producer Lee Scratch Perry and it is said that they were Bob Marley’s favourite group singing harmonies on songs Punky Reggae Party, Rastaman Live Up and Blackman Redemption and it was at his request that they performed at the historic One Love concert in Jamaica in 1978.

Little Roy released his first song cool it at the tender age of 13. In 1969 he teamed up with the legendary Prince Buster and recorded the Rastafarian anthem “ Bongo Nyah” which became a number one hit in the Jamaican charts. A prolific singer and song writer he penned roots reggae classics Tribal War (with Reggae icon Dennis Brown on bass) and Prophecy which have inspired many versions and covers.