Jamaica’s Bull Bay coastline is set to come alive this February as the Wickie Wackie Music Festival returns for its 2025 edition, bringing together iconic reggae veterans and emerging talents for a two-day celebration during the country’s Reggae Month.
The festival, scheduled for February 14-15, will feature a historic performance by 80-year-old reggae pioneer Max Romeo, who returns to Jamaica as part of his worldwide farewell tour. The lineup also includes nine-time Grammy nominees Third World, who will showcase their 51-year legacy of hits.
“This year’s festival represents the pinnacle of reggae authenticity,” says festival co-founder Kumar Bent. “WWMF stands as a vital cornerstone in reggae culture, bringing foundation artists, emerging voices, and traditional Soundsystems together on the treasured shores of Wickie Wackie Beach.”
The event’s first day, themed “For the Love of Sound,” will spotlight Jamaica long long-standing sound system culture, featuring Germany’s SuperSonicSound and SoundQuake alongside Jamaica’s own Natural High Sound, Kingston Dub Club & Uncle Ronnie of 8Mile Sound.
Day two, “Play I Some Music,” will be headlined by Grammy-nominated Kumar, joined by special guests including Ras-I, Kahlia, and Christopher Ellis. Earl “Chinna” Smith’s 25-piece Binghistra Movement will perform traditional Rastafari chanting and drumming at sunset on Saturday, adding a spiritual dimension to the festivities. The event will also feature a craft village showcasing local artisans and authentic Jamaican cuisine.
New for 2025, the festival is introducing an immersive camping experience, complete with beachside accommodations, morning yoga sessions, and traditional drumming circles. The addition aims to enhance the festival’s cultural immersion aspect while providing attendees with a unique way to experience Jamaica’s musical heritage.
The festival’s roots trace back to 2011, when it began as a monthly series called Wickie Wackie Live. Since then, it has evolved into a significant platform for reggae artists, having helped launch the careers of now-prominent performers like Chronixx and Koffee.
As an officially endorsed Reggae Month event by the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC), the Ministry of Culture, Gender, Entertainment and Sport, and the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association (JaRIA), the festival continues to serve as both a cultural preservationist and an economic driver for the local community.
Tickets are available online and at the following local outlets throughout Kingston: Jacana, Kamila’s Kitchen, RItuals Coffee Shop, Cooyah Clothing, Kingston Dub Club & Pon Top Seafood and Grill.
The festival organizers expect this year’s Wickie Wackie Music Festival to draw both local and international reggae enthusiasts to the picturesque Bull Bay setting, where, as Bent puts it, “the rhythms of roots music blend with ocean waves.”
