Montreal Anticipates the Biggest Names in Reggae for Their 2004 Reggae Fest

Reggae celebrated Montreal almost 40 years ago when The Melodians sweetly sang, “Last train to Expo ‘67.” Now, Montreal returns the favor. On June 4, 5 and 6, the city celebrates reggae with a major festival on a historic, downtown waterfront area that borders—coincidence?—the site of that long ago “Class A” world exposition known as Expo ’67.

Yes, the Montreal International Reggae Festival has its poetry, dance and visual arts sides, but the emphasis is on music, with over 100 performers expected. Among them are many familiar names: Luciano, Buju Banton, Freddie McGregor, Coco Tea, Jimmy Riley, Culture, Junior Reid, Junior Kelly, Half Pint, Eric Donaldson, Dean Fraser, Mikey General, The Itals, Morgan Heritage, Mikey Dread and Rankin Scroo. But one of the Festival’s stated goals is to help deserving artists get exposure, thus the multitude of lesser-known names also appearing—it looks like value-for-money time.

For even more value while you’re in the city, if your tastes are eclectic enough, look up the electronic music festival known as MUTEK, or the Montreal Chamber Music Festival, both of which overlap the Reggae Festival by a few days. If you’re rich and/or carefree enough, you can hang around until early July and see Youssou N’Dour at the Festival International de Jazz de Montreal, followed a few days later by the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique, headlining Alpha Blondy. Montreal this year may be nearly as vibrant as it was during Expo ‘67.

Peace, unity, racial and religious harmony, an appreciation of Montreal’s multicultural society—these are the Festival’s underlying themes, all of which should ensure highly positive vibes as background to our dancing and listening enjoyment. So, to update the Melodians advice: “This is the last train to the Montreal International Reggae Festival/Jump right on, let’s go have a ball/Jump right on, lets’ go swinging on/For there is fun for all…choo choo.”

For more information, schuedule and line-ups, visit www.montrealreggaefestival.com