Ahead of a string of festival performances, we shined the spotlight on the group credited with the rise of reggae and dub in the UK. Check out Reggae Roast, the UK’s best reggae party starters!

Last updated: 16th May 2022

Originally published: 11th May 2022

Reggae was massive in the 70s and 80s in the UK. It was so popular that plenty of non-reggae artists recorded reggae and reggae-inspired tracks. Will reggae ever return to this level of prominence? We'll have to wait and see. But if it does, we're already certain that one group we can thank for it will be Reggae Roast -  a tune-bumping, party-planning, record-label-owning group of reggae lovers. 

Reggae Roast has been taking parties to another level since 2007 when it formed. Now, the reggae/dub/dancehall/jungle collective is credited as one of the main driving forces behind the expanding reggae/dub scene. To highlight just how respected the collective is, they very recently toured with UB40, a band that has sold over 70 million records around the world and landed over 50 singles on the UK Singles Chart over the years, including “Red Red Wine”. 

Reggae Roast released their first album, Turn Up The Heat, back in 2020 with Trojan Reloaded, the sister label of Trojan Records. This incredibly influential label specialises in reggae, dub, ska and rocksteady. The features and collaborations on the LP alone reveal just how admirable and influential Reggae Roast is, with Earl 16, Horseman, Mr Williamz, Brother Culture, XL Mad, Tippa Irie, Daddy Freddy, and many other crucial names to the genre making appearances. 

But, of course, that’s not all. In 2009, Reggae Roast Records was founded, signing artists including Earl 16, Kenny Knots, General Levy, Adam Prescott, DJ Kenny Ken, and many more. The label even won Mixmag’s “Label Of The Week” award back in 2012. 

More than just the UK’s best reggae party starters, Reggae Roast are fighting the good fight, bringing reggae to the masses by putting on unmatched, energetic events and helping artists spread their sound through their record label. 

As veteran party starters, is there any better place to perform at than a festival? Yep, you can catch Reggae Roast at a variety of fests this year, including Leighton Live, MADE (Wolverhampton), Hastings Reggae Festival, Reggae Land (Milton Keynes), and Summer Love (Reading). So if you’re going to be at any of these fests this year, stop by and skank your heart out! 

 

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Check out our What's On Guide to discover even more rowdy raves and sweaty gigs taking place over the coming weeks and months. For festivals, lifestyle events and more, head on over to our Things To Do page or be inspired by the event selections on our Inspire Me page.

 

 

  

 

 

Header image: Reggae Roast on Facebook