The 2024 Reggae Geel Festival, dubbed Europe’s baddest reggae festival, provided a flush, engaging experience of reggae, dub, dancehall, and roots. The two-day festival from August 2nd to 3rd featured an expansive line-up on four curated stages, representing every aspect of the reggae music genre. Dancehall and ragga in the bounce dancehall section, roots reggae on the main stage, and dub in the Dub forest.
The four stages offered a unique soundsystem and live-on-stage experience. The 2024 Reggae Geel Festival in Belgium included a live-on-stage lineup of heavyweight legends and promising sensations, hosted by Sheldon Shepherd.
On Friday, the Gold Stage saw performances from Etana, Blvck H3ro and the Kasha Makka Band, Cimarons, Bnxn, Skip Marley, Postmen, Julian Marley and The Uprising, T.O.K., and Alborosie. The Dub Forest stage, as the name implies, was a section surrounded by tall trees.
There were performances by Kingstep Soundsystem feat. Joseph Lalibella and Rueben Gondor, Shikoba Sound feat. Dub Tubbie, Zulu Vibes, Pura Vida Productionz, Freedom Masses, Concrete Lion, and Iration Steppas feat. Mackey Banton.
You’d think that was it, but the two other stages were packed with as much energy. DJ Gajoy, Twinroot, YNG Cptn, Jamie Rodigan, Team Damp, Brooke Bailey, Dunrich World Sound, and Silly Walks Discotheque all set up and performed in the Bounce Dancehall Tent.
The Yaga Yaga section was a fusion of a yoga workshop and good music. The Reggae Rita Yoga Workshop was led by Reeta, a certified yoga instructor cum DJ.
The session blended traditional yoga asanas with the rhythmic beats of reggae music. Sjak Soundsystem, Soulboys vs. Rudeboys, Helea Louison, Leline Park, and Texas Ranger provided additional performance for Yaga Yaga attendees.
For the duration of the festival, which technically began on Thursday with a free official launch party, Reggae Geel festival made provisions for a camping site. Camping tickets cost €25 for a camping spot, access to sanitary facilities, recycling bin bags, and other necessities.
On Saturday, the Gold Stage reopened with new performances that transported attendees to the height of reggae music. The Gold Stage lineup, which was also hosted by Sheldon Shepherd, included Omar Perry and the Asham band, Jah Lil, YG Marley, Stonebwoy, Arrested Development, Luciano and the Messenjah band, D-masta, Marla Brown and the new generation family, Duane Stephenson and the new generation family, Dezarie, Christopher Ellis, and the Messenjah band.
King Original, Roots Explosion, Roots I-Vories, Ras Kush Black Redemption Sound, and Blackamix feat. Robbie Valentine entertained guests in the Dub Forest section. Furthermore, the Dub Forest bar was manned by deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals on Saturday, allowing attendees to order using only sign language. This was done to raise awareness about hearing damage at festivals. DJs such as Shar Perez, MJ, Selecta Killa, D-Masta, Masai and the Roots, Warrior Sound, and Massive B performed sets.
The section was not left out of live-on-stage performances, as Skillibeng took the stage and gave a performance that made the crowd go wild. The Yaga Yaga stage line-up for Saturday was quite similar to Friday’s but had new performances from Kris Van Beethoven, Raphi Scorcher, Sugar Charly, David Katz/Ras Digy, and Gladdy Wax.
Since its inception in 1978, Reggae Geel Festival has blossomed and grown into a culture more than just a festival. Still going strong after 45 years, all for the love of reggae music.
