Roots Reggae

Roots Reggae: 34 upcoming festivals, including 15 with tickets on sale.

Roots Reggae is characterized by its deep, meditative grooves, often featuring a prominent bassline, skank guitar, and a one-drop drum rhythm, creating a conscious and often spiritual atmosphere. Emerging in Jamaica during the 1970s, it grew directly from the burgeoning Rastafari movement, reflecting themes of spirituality, social justice, poverty, Black pride, and resistance against oppression. Iconic artists like Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, and Burning Spear are quintessential representatives of the genre. Its profound cultural impact extended globally, advocating for peace, unity, and repatriation to Africa, and influencing countless musicians worldwide.

Parent genreJamaican / Reggae