Event Description

After nearly a decade, American ska legends THE MIGHTY MIGHTY BOSSTONES are finally making a triumphant return to the Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest stage! One of the most recognizable and enduring acts of the North American ska movement, the Bosstones were instrumental in introducing legions of new fans to the sounds of ska, infusing the classic sound with high-octane punk and incredible ears for hooks. With their new album "While We're At It" re-energizing the group, the Bosstones are ready to get the music-lovers of Victoria jumpin' and skankin' once again. This is their only stop in Western Canada this year, so you better not miss your chance to see these icons in action once again!

Joining the Bosstones for this Saturday celebration is powerful WESTERN STANDARD TIME SKA ORCHESTRA. It's only been a couple of years since this incredible band blew away a packed crowd at Ship Point with their unstoppable wall of horns playing some of the greatest ska music of all time. Also making the trip up from California are reggae superstars FORTUNATE YOUTH. For nearly a decade these laid-back reggae troubadours have been touring relentlessly, establishing themselves as one of North America's most reliably entertaining reggae bands. Highlighted by the phenomenal voice of lead singer Dan Kelly, a Fortunate Youth set is going to help you chill out and get irie while making you gasp with their insane level of musicianship as the band trades instruments and roles like nobody's business.

Also making their return to the Festival stage are Victoria ska legends THE HILLSIDE HOOLIGANS! Fresh off their incredible return at our St. Paddy's Day Throwdown, the Hooligans are re-energized and refocused after some needed time out of the spotlight. We're so proud to have these longtime festival friends and family on this massive bill for all our true Ska lovers! Holding things down between sets is one of Victoria's most reputable party-rockers and haver-of-incredible-taste THE FUNKEE WADD. Armed with a seemingly endless arsenal of funk, reggae, glitch-hop originals and remixes of eternal classics, your party life is in good hands when the Wadd is behind the decks.