Known as one the country's premier reggae and roots festival, Island Vibe Festival (SE QLD) is also home to a kaleidoscope of musical styles – from soul, folk, world music to bass-heavy glitch-hop, dancehall and drum & bass.
And the first round of acts introduced to be performing at the 2018 event (the 13th Island Vibe) are headlined by French reggae superstar Naâman, who'll be bringing his band to Australia for the first time.
Other musical additions are percussionist extraordinaire Ben Walsh performing a new solo show, electronic trio The Bird, featuring Bobby Singh and Si Fixion, Torres Strait's mesmerising guitar virtuoso Chris Tamwoy and Sydney's very own rocksteady legends King Tide.
Click here to read our 2017 article about Island Vibe's environmental-friendly initiatives.
The 2018 Island Vibe Festival takes place at Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island, 25-28 October. Click here to purchase tickets.
Naâman
It should no longer be necessary to introduce Martin Mussard better known as Naâman to the reggae massive. The 27-year-old singer from the north of France has been touring the world from China to Hungary, from Russia to Jamaica. Naaman’s music is upbeat, high energy and with a conscious message. His YouTube hits total over 50 million views.Benjamin Walsh
Constant international touring and away from his musical family and home in Australia, Benjamin Walsh turns to technology to create a new solo project. Part art piece, part dancefloor event, REMIX EXPERIMENT is one of those endeavours that could only possibly explode from the mind of an artist such as Benjamin Walsh, a human bomb of rhythm, melody and alternative approaches.Benjamin Walsh is a drummer known for his jungle and live electronic beats from over 20 years rocking dancefloors with Australian live electronic mavericks The Bird, allowing him a platform to deliver his high-energy, frenetic drum style. He also composes and creates a plethora of different projects that range from movie soundtracks to circus.
Click here to view photos from the 2017 Island Vibe event.
King Tide
King Tide are a band with their hearts overflowing with heritage reggae. Fronted by the audacious Tony Hughes, King Tide feature a stellar crew of Sydney’'s reggae greats including singing drummer Declan Kelly.King Tide have appeared at just about every major music festival in the country, released a high charting compilation album, leased tracks and albums in the UK and Japan and been one of the most played rocksteady reggae, soul bands on Australian radio. If you have a love for vintage reggae sound, King Tide bring it like no other.
The Bird
What's there to say? This underground act can only be experienced to be believed. The Bird are formed by the exploding atomic fission created by the proximity of drummer Benjamin Walsh to MPC and synth lord Si Durrington. This year they will be joined by master tabla player Bobby Singh.The Bird take you on the most epic high-octane, beat-fuelled adventure through raga, D&B, dubstep and future tribal soundscapes.
