UNIVERSITY VILLAGE — A new "one day, one love" fest dedicated to Reggae lovers will be jammin' on the Near West Side this summer.
The first-ever Reggae Fest Chicago will take over Addams/Medill Park on Aug. 13, promoters announced Monday. The iconic Toots & the Maytals and Lee “Scratch" Perry will headline the fest.
Curated by Subterranean, the fest will feature two stages of non-stop live ska, reggaeton, roots reggae and world music and is expected to attract reggae fans from across the Midwest.
Early bird general admission ($37.50) and VIP tickets ($75) go on sale online Friday.
The fest's debut will coincide with the legendary Toots & the Maytals' return to Chicago — the band hasn't played in the city since 2010 and hasn't played at all since 2013, after frontman Frederick "Toots" Hibbert endured a concussion after being struck by a bottle on stage.
California band Iration, reggae legend and Bob Marley collaborator Lee "Scratch" Perry, and ska/reggae band HEPCAT are also slated to perform.
The lineup includes:
North Stage
• Noon-12:30 p.m.: Akasha
• 1:30-2:15 p.m.: Keith & Tex
• 3:30-4:15 p.m.: Daby Toure
• 5:30-6:15 p.m.: Budos Band
• 7:15-8:15 p.m.: Iration
• 9-10 p.m.: Toots & The Maytals
South Stage
• 12:45-1:15 p.m.: The Prizefighters
• 2:30-3:15 p.m.: Charley Organaire & The Sunshine Festival Band
• 4:30-5:15 p.m.: Derrick Morgan
• 6:30-7:15 p.m.: Hepcat
• 8:15-9 p.m.: Lee "Scratch" Perry
The event will also feature local food vendors, food trucks, and handmade Caribbean wares made by artisans. Beer and island-themed cocktails will be available for purchase.
Reggae Fest Chicago is produced by Optimum Events LLC and Subterranean.
A portion of the Reggae Fest Chicago proceeds will be donated to local non-profits, A Safe Haven and the ABLA Local Advisory Committee.
Longtime fest African/Caribbean International Festival of Life, scheduled for July 1-4 at Union Park this summer, also features a number of reggae acts.
Addams/Medill Park, located at 15th Street and South Loomis Street, will also host the electronic dance Spring Awakening music festival and three-day Ruido Fest, a Latin alt music festival, this summer.
Lee "Scratch" Perry, a reggae legend and Bob Marley collaborator, will take the stage at the first-ever Reggae Fest Chicago in August. [Reggae Fest Chicago]
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