Mortimer ADD

Best Moments... Reggae Land 2025

08/06/2025 by Angus Taylor

REGGAE LAND 2025: VIDEOS | PHOTO REPORT

Go back ten years and UK reggae festivals were small, scrappy affairs, often moving nomadically from venue to venue, as their patrons looked with envy at what was happening in Europe. On August 2nd and 3rd, in a difficult climate for reggae festivals in general, Reggae Land in Milton Keynes, brought 95,000 fans across 2 days (Saturday 50,000 & Sunday 45,000) to the Milton Keynes Bowl and boasted a lineup that attracted comment internationally - being spoken of online in the same league tables as Rototom Sunsplash and Summerjam. With 5 stages and a circular - M25 inspired - walking route around the main bowl, the sheer number of people, particularly on the sold-out Saturday, was intense.

The crowds, the queues, and the simultaneous scheduling of some acts and the distance between stages meant that tough choices had to be made. But it was also an historic occasion that showed the UK's love for reggae and dancehall can reach the hallowed levels of legendary festivals of the 80s and 90s. While many visitors to London were punching the air or downing pints to Oasis at Wembley, Milton Keynes was pushing up its collective lighter. Here are some top moments of the weekend.

EARL GATESHEAD @ CARNIVAL STAGE | SATURDAY - AUGUST 2, 2025
It's nice to start the day with the snap, crackle and pop of real vinyl selections. Veteran selector and personality Earl Gateshead, alongside toaster Ben Cutter, harmonica player Bookie and dancing vibesman Skanking Star provided this on the Carnival Stage, dropping vintage 12 inch roots including Pablo Gad's Bloodsuckers and Barry Brown Natty Dread Nah Run. Mixer issues during soundcheck had potentially put the session in jeopardy so you could see the joy on the faces of Earl and his crew as they performed.

PROTOJE & LILA IKÉ @ MAIN STAGE | SATURDAY - AUGUST 2, 2025
Protoje and the Indiggnation band hit the Main Stage hard and woke up a crowd still settling into their afternoon. Starting with their traditional Godfather Part 2 intro, they played a fast cut tour of a syn drum heavy I And I Pass Through, Flames, and Resist Not Evil on the Birth Of Reggae Music rhythm, Protoje’s voice sounding powerful over the hefty basslines. “I'm really sorry marijuana is illegal in the UK. I feel so sorry for you” was his segue to Weed & Ting. Before him, Lila Iké had done her part to thaw the vibes with the same band, paying tribute to Beres Hammond and showcasing her forthcoming album Treasure Self Love - the new songs like her cover of Patra’s Romantic Call grabbing the people's attention. Protoje brought her back to sing on new collaboration single All Over The World. "Make some noise for Protoje", she said "You definitely bring me all over the world".

JANET KAY & CARROLL THOMPSON @ ONE LOVE STAGE | SATURDAY - AUGUST 2, 2025
This was literally a beautiful moment: where the sun came out as lovers rock queens Janet Kay and Carroll Thompson, both in matching yellow hats, sang Bill Withers’ Lovely Day. As mentioned, the numbers of people at the festival on the Saturday could be gruelling at times so the smaller but appreciative gathering actually made this one of the most relaxing and enjoyable respites. As the music wafted through the air, a red tailed kite, the now-thriving bird of prey, circled above.

MORGAN HERITAGE @ ONE LOVE STAGE | SATURDAY - AUGUST 2, 2025
The death at age 46 of Morgan Heritage lead singer Peetah Morgan in 2024 left reggae fans reeling. So witnessing Gramps Morgan's son Jemere take the lead alongside his dad was always going to be poignant. A gigantic crowd filled every available crevice of the area in front of the One Love Stage so that seeing and hearing the Morgans at their traditional “turned up to 11” volume was all but impossible (with hindsight, putting them on the Main Stage might have been wiser). Yet the emotion travelled all the way to the back. Whistles blew and hands waved in unison as Nothing To Smile Bout got a massive forward. Jemere definitely proved he is the right choice to step into Peetah's role, shouting “Dada” so Gramps could make hairs stand up on skin with his verse on Inna Dem Ting Deh. "Who would like to go to Jamaica with Morgan Heritage? We're gonna take you on a flight to St Thomas" was the intro to Down By The River, on the What Kind Of World rhythm, which had everyone singing along.

CAPLETON @ MAIN STAGE | SATURDAY - AUGUST 2, 2025
Capleton has played many times in the UK. But headlining to a huge audience at such a prestigious event was a unique experience. And the people were there for him: holding up their phones to illuminate the bowl at his command, while the screens depicted cities like New York and Paris in flames. Backed by his Prophecy band from Jamaica, the now white-bearded veteran showed vigour and crowd control with much of his set being a series of exhortations to the masses to show their righteousness and verve.

"Let me tell you something about Capleton”, he roared “Mi nah like lazy people. Tired people.

This is energy". He also called out racism, sexism, violence and a litany of diseases including bird flu, Ebola and COVID. His voice was powerful and his stage craft impeccable during his classic songs Or Wah, Small World, Jah Jah City and Mi Deh Yeah. “A long time mi a bun the fire. Are you ready for some old school?” he said before a fervent Slew Dem. This was one of his most impressive outdoor displays since his appearance at the 3 Mills Green Peace And Love concert 25 years ago.

SEVANA @ MAIN STAGE | SUNDAY - AUGUST 3, 2025
Sunday’s opening act on the Main Stage Sevana was an elegant, humble and sincere presence. When so many of the foundation reggae acts that headlined festivals in previous decades are no longer with us, and the 90s artists who were once the new guard are now the veterans, it was reassuring to see Sevana ask “Who remembers Junior Byles?” before a rendition of the beloved departed singer’s Fade Away. She also showed her love for her brother, who she said makes her stage outfits, with her own Carry You.

JAH LIL & KHALIA @ ONE LOVE STAGE | SUNDAY - AUGUST 3, 2025
Tall and lanky with a stunning heartfelt voice, Jah Lil gave a relaxed but emotional performance on the One Love Stage reminiscent of Chronixx’ debut at Summerjam 2013. His youthful Alchemy band were tight and on point. The bass player tuned a string while playing. The keyboardist created realistic brass sounds from his laptop. A highlight was the echoing rub a dub of Warn Yuh replete with myriad crazy effects. “I always like to introduce people” said Jah Lil, bringing on London-based artist Khalia, who also impressed with “Love song to Mary Jane” High. “I'm going to be in UK again in November, Manchester, London. We can do this again in an intimate setting” was his invitation to new followers, before ending with Head Above Water. It’s likely many who saw his set will be buying tickets.

KABAKA PYRAMID @ MAIN STAGE | SUNDAY - AUGUST 3, 2025
The previous weekend at Bababoom Festival in Italy, Kabaka Pyramid chanted on a sound system when a storm stopped play on the main stage. So it was all the sweeter to see him so soon afterwards with his Bebble Rockers band, braving lower grade wet weather. Like Sevana, he hailed Junior Byles with Faded Away from his Grammy-winning The Kalling album. He also gave a short burst of Johnny Nash/Jimmy Cliff’s I Can See Clearly Now to Mi Alright when the rain began falling, saying “We not used to rain but we give thanks for life”. Even in the damp he was getting a strong response to Reggae Music and his rework of Michigan & Smiley Nice Up The Dance.

“Do you love Peter Tosh? This one my favourite song by Peter Tosh.” he said as an intro to his do over Mystik Man from The Kalling. As Tosh’s sampled tones rang out, and Kabaka reminded us of his commitment to equal rights and justice worldwide, the the downpour subsided. After self production Jamaica, he called on Irie Soulja, Khalia and Jah Lil, to sing their songs on his Pon Di Island rhythm, showing the message of Unity in The Revival is still strong.

MORTIMER @ ONE LOVE STAGE | SUNDAY - AUGUST 3, 2025
Meanwhile, at the One Love Stage, Mortimer was reaching an unhurried, very hymn-like finale to his set. As Chronixx would also show, later, sometimes less is more. Dressed in baggy shirt and jeans, he spread his arms out wide, holding attention with his rich, soulful, yearning voice. As the sun shone ironically during Lightning it was clear the people were loving him. Since his early days doing a guest feature for Protoje on Protection in 2015 he has risen to become a heavyweight artist in his own right.

REGGAE LAND 2025: VIDEOS | PHOTO REPORT

ABA SHANTI @ THE DUB STAGE + CHANNEL ONE @ ROMPA'S REGGAE SHACK | AUGUST 3, 2025
As the Main Stage was heaving for Mavado, veteran soundman Aba Shanti was playing the Black Survivors’ Come Away Jah Jah Children at the Dub Stage. “It’s an honour and a pleasure to be here” he said, peeking over the massive oil drums in front of the decks. He sang the words to Hugh Mundell’s Let’s All Unite on top of the dub, giving us two roots anthems for the price of one. Earlier, at Rompa’s Reggae Shack, Channel One Sound were laying it down with similar vibes. Rompa’s Reggae Shack has previously showcased variety but the lineup on the Dub Stage was more mixed than last year, with many different reggae and dancehall styles, so it was good to hear some foundation roots closing the day.

MARCIA GRIFFITHS @ ONE LOVE STAGE | SUNDAY - AUGUST 3, 2025
Marcia Griffiths has always been upfront that when you watch her, you don’t just get her own rousing standards such as Feel Like Jumping and I Shall Sing, you also get the full Jamaican songbook. Backed by the Uppercut band, her tributes included Cocoa Tea and Leroy Gibbons (on the Far East riddim) Toots (with 5446) Bunny Wailer (with her Sonia Pottinger cover of Jah B’s cover of El Tempos’ Dream Land) and her one time partner Bob Andy (with Fire Burning). “Talking about icons, we could never leave stage without paying tribute to this brother” she said, launching into Desmond Dekker, Israelites. “I am privileged to be a part of the Three Little Birds” she continued, “Help me bring the spirit of Bob” as everyone sang Buffalo Soldier with her.

FLABBA HOLT @ ONE LOVE STAGE | SUNDAY - AUGUST 3, 2025
There was only time to catch the first 3 tunes of Wiss from Israel Vibration’s excellent set with the Roots Radics, before heading to Chronixx on the Main Stage. But prior to Wiss, who was in fine voice, the Radics, including legends Flabba Holt, Dwight Pinkney and Steve Golding, played two instrumentals to warm up the crowd. Of particular interest was their beautiful version of Night Nurse, with Pinkney expertly picking the vocal melody. It served as a reminder that it was Flabba who co-produced the iconic Gregory track. Even though he didn’t say so, those who knew, knew.

CHRONIXX @ MAIN STAGE | SUNDAY - AUGUST 3, 2025
There couldn’t have been a more contrasting Main Stage closing set to Capleton’s on Saturday than Chronixx on the Sunday. He generally stood still, smiling, often only saying a few words (“Reggae Music” was his intro to Skanking Sweet). It was an extraordinary masterclass in how you can hold a huge throng with minimal movement or urging, due to sheer love for the songs. Huge outpourings erupted for modern classics Here Comes Trouble, Capture Land and Spanish Town Rocking. He saluted the foundation artists that came before him as a segue into Jacob Miller refashioning News Carrying Dread. The use of flute in the Zinc Fence band to garnish these favourites was nothing short of inspired. Occasionally, he strapped on a Strat and chopped a little guitar himself.

But just as exciting were his new compositions. He unveiled the classical sounding drum and bass driven Don’t Be Afraid, the blissful Family First, the already anthemic Saviour (with a deejay segment part-inspired by Papa Levi Mi God Mi King), the funky fast chat Go Ah Market, the breezy, swinging Love Is On The Mountain. All were revealed to be from forthcoming album, Exile, which he announced will be out this year. In a soulful interlude he brought on his wife Kelissa who shared her recent ballad The Way You Make Me Feel. A little later, he sang his own high register cover of Marvin Gaye’s Inner City Blues. As the final statement of the Reggae Land weekend, Chronixx delivered.