The programme for Wee Dub Festival 2018 once again showcases a world class line-up covering reggae, dub, dancehall and bass in many forms. We’ll be giving the stage to established artists alongside upcoming talent. As always the vibe will be 100% on point in pure Wee Dub fashion. See below for the full artist line-up and check the daily programme.
Plus: Family Social, Workshops, Record Stall, Film Screening, Good Vibes!
Young Pistols Sound are a Selecta + MC collective from Poland, which includes two notorious bandits M. Borecki and Kapitan K.I.V.I. Their main focus is a sound of dub, dubstep and raggastep with a large dose of Jamaican origin vibes infused with solid pinch of modern digital sounds. Despite the unorthodox amount of new school vibe pistols sessions are done the way it always has been done. Counscious sounds sizzled with counscious toasting on the mic.
Beside playing on sessions YP actively work on promotion of other artist and widely understood sound system scene. On pistols parties perform both known international artists as well as local, foolproof selectors and producers. Mission is clear. Love is the key. United we strong. Burn Babylon.
Hailing from Geneva, Rico and G. started collecting music in the late 90’s from revival roots to UK dub style. They then realised they need a powerful sound system to play their selections in Swiss and French underground venues. In the early 2000’s they decided to build their own soundsystem. Inspired by the UK and Jamaican soundsystem, heavy bass scoops were built, to drop some heavy bass pressure, sharp mid and top range section to get the proper feeling of the reggae and dub music as it should be.
Since then their parties and productions have drawn a worldwide following – the O.B.F. mixes proper dubwise bassline with digital style and top MC collaborations for a deadly result. Their music with the likes of Mr Williamz, Charlie P and Sn Wilson kills the dance worldwide.
O.B.F. perform at Wee Dub for a second time, alongside Charlie P and Mungo’s Hi-Fi Soundsystem at Session 3.
Session: 3
Date: 3rd March
Venue: Liquid Room (Basement)
After a long career in the reggae music business as a top soundman & producer, Solo Banton began as a recording artist in the late 90’s after linking with Kris Kemist of Reality Shock Records. Solo was immediately recognised for his vintage deejay style and intelligent (often comical) lyrical content, and soon found himself in great demand for his talents, working with the likes of Jahtari, Maffi, Mungos Hifi, Zion Gate Hifi and many other sounds & labels worldwide.
Solo has also been touring extensively in Europe, performing both on soundsystem and with Reality Shocks’ resident Upper Cut Band. He is now seen as one of the top soundsystem MCs in the game, and will take any dance by storm.
Session: 3
Date: 3rd March
Venue: Liquid Room (Basement)
Mungo’s Hi-Fi need no introduction to Wee Dub massive. The Glasgow legends have been taking the world over in recent years with big tune after big tune and hugely successful tours as far afield as Brazil, Japan, the US, Asia. Recent albums “Serious Time” and “Boom Sound” with YT has seen the Mungo’s sound reach mainstream radio play – and they can now count themselves as one of the biggest reggae acts on the planet.
So its a great honour to have the full Mungo’s Hi-Fi crew and soundsystem back in Edinburgh to shake the city to the core once more. They will be supplying bass and tunes at the massive Session 3 alongside Solo Banton, OBF, Charlie P and Manudigital.
Session: 3
Date: 3rd March
Venue: Liquid Room (Basement)
Miss Red performs with The Bug at Wee Dub 2018. Miss Red cut her teeth MCing as a teenager in Haifa Israel as a member of the Easy Rider dancehall crew before jumping on stage for an impromptu freestyle with The Bug in Tel Aviv in 2011. Inspired by the likes of Sister Nancy, Lady Ann and Toyan, her slamming flow on ‘Diss Mi Army’ dropped on The Bug’s Acid Ragga imprint of Ninja Tune in 2012 and she jumped stages with her live band 3421, and The Bug, including Outlook, Fusion, Unsound, Sonar, and Supersonic to name a few.
Following more singles on Acid Ragga and Scotch Bonnet, Sharon Stern a.k.a. Miss Red, dropped her first mixtape, ‘Murder’ in 2015 featuring production by Andy Stott, Mumdance, Stereotyp, Mark Pritchard and Evian Christ, alongside The Bug which garnered massive media and DJ support and established her as a force to be reckoned with. Now with her own label RED LABEL launched in 2016 via Boomkat with the single ‘Fever’ and more upcoming for labels including Soul Jazz, Dubstoy, and Mungo’s Hi-Fi to start, she is forging a global following for herself! Watch out Edinburgh!!
Session: 1
Date: 1st March
Venue: La Belle Angele
Kevin Martin has used many aliases and collaborated with a wide variety of musicians including Justin Broadrick of Godflesh (most notably as Techno Animal), DJ Vadim, The Rootsman (as Razor X Productuctions), Kevin Shields, El-P, and John Zorn, since 1997 before dropping his seminal album “London Zoo” as The Bug on Ninja Tune in 2008. It was a record grown out of the heart of London sound-system culture and multi-cultural meltdown, as much as product of witnessing the early dub-step scene in the UK, as well as a unique detonation of dancehall, grime, hip-hop, and noise onslaughts. Vocalists Warrior Queen and Flowdan featured prominently on “London Zoo”, and would be followed by collaborations including Death Grips, Earth, Grouper, Mala, Daddy Freddy, Copeland, Miss Red, Manga, Lady Chann and Riko Dan, on his equally ferocious 2014 LP “Angels & Devils”, “Acid Ragga” singles, and subsequent EPs. “The Bug” has since toured the world, including supporting Nine Inch Nails across the US, with his monstruous dub-noise shows featuring an array of fresh and rough MCs packing loads of heat on top of his famously body-slamming beats.
Session: 1
Date: 2nd March
Venue: La Belle Angele
Hailing from Southend, Charlie P has been singing since the very young age of 5, starting off as a Motown/blues singer, but quickly realising his real love was reggae music. He joined the infamaous ska collective Goldmaster All-Stars at the age of 11 and his passion for reggae soon turned into a well known talent. A meeting with Nick Dubateers, a man who owned a local sound system in his town turned Charlie P onto soundsystem culture, and some studio recordings followed.
Charlie P is now a familiar face and voice at dances and recordings around the world – his youthful looks belying a voice of true soul and gravity – and one of the most captivating MCs working today. We welcome him to Wee Dub where he will appear with long-time partners O.B.F.
Session: 3
Date: 3rd March
Venue: Liquid Room (Basement)
The Mellow Chants is the project of Zimbabwe-born Einstein Hakutambwi. The band deliver well crafted reggae covers and original material that complements Einstein’s deep vocal delivery. Catch the band warming up for The Mellow Chants at Session 2.
Session: 2
Date: 3rd March
Venue: Liquid Room
Mrs Magoo discovered the clubbing scene at the age of 17, where she was absorbed in the atmosphere and found herself obsessing over the craft of DJs like Nicky Blackmarket, Kenny Ken and Randall to name a few. She learnt to DJ in 2007 and her passion soon zoomed in on the Jungle/DnB scene: as soon as she started mixing the sound, she knew that this was the direction she wanted to go. Mrs Magoo is known for demolishing clubs with her deep, heavy basslines and crazed amen breaks, as well as her energetic and vibrant stage presence.
Session: 1
Date: 2nd March
Venue: La Belle Angele
Mighty Oak are a roots soundsystem based in Edinburgh and the borders in Scotland. Their hand crafted speakers and music has grown a devoted following and their productions have reached as far as Jah Shaka and around the world. Once again Mighty Oak will be hosting Room 3 at Session 1 upstairs at The Mash House with special guest selections from Brother Most Righteous and Cecil.
Session: 1
Date: 2nd March
Venue: Mash House (Upstairs)
Youthman roots sound outta Glasgow, Scotland, promoting conscious music and positive vibes through strictly roots music selections in a soundsystem style and running dances with more authentic sounds throughout the UK including; Explosion Sound System, Bass Warrior Sound System, Decades of Dub, Aba Shanti I and soon Conscious Sounds and Messenger Sound System. They are joined at Wee Dub on the microphone by Babascum, hailing from St. Lucia.
Session: 4
Date: 4th March
Venue: The Bongo Club
Electrikal Sound System is a 26kw custom built PA and is comprised of high quality audio components sourced exclusively from the UK. Specialising in deep bass frequencies, it represents the next step in sound system culture, seeking to bridge the gap between Jamaican sound clashes and the fast evolving electronic music scene.
Since its mobilization in early 2010, it has traveled length of Britain and has appeared at over 400+ events both indoor and outdoor, amplifying the sound of many established artists as well as a whole host of newly discovered talents. The distinctive blue horns and speaker grills combined with a glossy wooden finish ensure Electrikal Soundsystem is one of the most recognisable systems operating in the UK today.
Electrikal power Session 1 at La Belle Angele, where heavyweights such as The Bug and Aries will perform, and Electrikal will also play one of their famed dub-laden DJ sets.
Session: 1
Date: 2nd March
Venue: La Belle Angele
Edinburgh’s original roots sound Messenger Soundsystem return to Wee Dub to host our traditional Sunday festival closing dance. Stevie Messenger has been running dances in the city since 1987, beginning at the original Bongo Club on New Street, and moving with the venue as it has changed location in the city.
Messenger has never wavered from their calling – delivering fine foundation dub, steppas and roots rock reggae vibrations with a long line of guests and vocalists, including the don Jah Shaka. They host the mighty Young Warrior, son of Jah Shaka alongside Crucial Roots at Session 4.
Session: 4
Date: 4th March
Venue: The Bongo Club
A Wee Dub regular by now, Glasgow-based producer Escape Roots joins Friday’s heavyweight bill with his hard hitting digital and junglist inspired sound, ready made for the soundsystem, performed live alongside long-time collaborator Tom Spirals on the mic. Since last year Escape Roots has been busy playing around Europe and building a following for his productions, working with vocalists such as Parly B, Shanti D, Coppa Stone and 2018 will see his debit album release via Nice Up! Records.
Session: 1
Date: 2nd March
Venue: The Mash House
Royal Sounds are a roots reggae band with a unique sound hailing from London who have been riding the authentic roots reggae revival spear-headed by Chronixx and Protege. The five piece band includes: Carlalou 1 Drop on drums, and brothers Ajani on bass and Gyasi on guitar, a legendary piano player Phil Ramocan on keyboards, . Powerful lead vocals delivered from Hannibal (Ajani and Gyasi’s cousin).
The production side of Royal Sounds is mainly carried out by the brothers. They have been producing/arranging/composing/playing music from about 13yrs old. Ajani deals with the bass and the keyboards and Gyasi handles the drums and guitar side of things, creating a tight live feeling! To help spread the message they discovered more young talent with potential in their local area, so upcoming artists’ ‘RAspect Fyabinghi’ and ‘Ras Sempah’ teamed up with the Royal Sounds band. Their music can be described as ‘authentic’ roots reggae music with a message which the UK reggae scene has lost over the years but they hope to bring it back; spreading the message that unity for all is the way forward.
Session: 2
Date: 3rd March
Venue: Liquid Room
Bristol’s Aries is a hugely prolific DJ and producer who has been making waves for many years as a solo artist and with the Born on Road and Chopstick Dubplate crews. Aries’ sound combines vintage bass music sensibilities with traditional reggae music polished off with modern day production techniques. The finished product is his own Dubwise strain of the UK’s one true homegrown genre, Jungle.
Session: 1
Date: 2nd March
Venue: La Belle Angele
From their creation in 1995 Vibronics have been at the forefront of the UK roots and dub explosion. They served their apprentice through a series of exclusive heavy-weight cuts for Sound Systems such as Jah Shaka, Iration Steppas and Aba-Shanti-I before moving on to releasing music through Zion Train’s Universal Egg label. Vibronics have been playing live and DJing across Europe since 1997 where they have earned a reputation for kicking up a musical storm. An exhausting itinerary has taken them from Portugal to Finland with visits to just about every country in between.
Their studio work leads the way in contemporary dub productions and has included collaborations with Zion Train, Ranking Joe, Macka.B and The Mad Professor. They thrive on collaborations across genres and have worked with artists as diverse as Fun Lovin’ Criminals and the Warsaw Village Band. They run their own ‘SCOOPS’ record label and have a created a sell-out back catalogue of over 20 releases in just five years. They have released three albums on the Universal Egg label, including the highly praised CD/LP ‘Dubliftment’, as well as two albums in France for the Soundsaround label.
Vibronics played the inaugural Wee Dub Festival in 2009 and we are delighted to welcome this legendary crew back to Edinburgh.
Session: 1
Date: 2nd March
Venue: Mash House
Riddim maker, bass player and producer specialized in digital Reggae. Manudigital has been involved in Reggae music for more than 15 years now and has worked with many artists such as Biga Ranx, Babylon Circus, Sizzla, General Levy, Lt Stitchi, Papa Michigan. He has gained a worldwide following for his hugely popular videos featuring his casio keyboards and influencial MCs giving impromptu performances on his riddims.
We’re very excited to host Manudigital’s Scottish debut alongside Solo Banton on Mungo’s Hi-Fi Sounfsystem
Session: 3
Date: 3rd March
Venue: Liquid Room (Warehouse)
Young warrior is son of the historic dub legend Jah Shaka, at once channeling the spirit and raw energy of the UK reggae godfather while also developing his own hevyweight roots sound which he regularly tours around the world on his own custom made reggae soundsystem. The Young Warrior has worked as a producer for many years with the likes of Jah Shaka, Gussie P, Mafia & Fluxy, Ras Muffet and many more. He has recorded soon to be released tracks with ever rising UK female artist Lexxy and South East London’s well known Rockaway, Sandeeno, Sister Beloved and many more to be added to his list. Many of the Young Warrior’s productions have been played by sound systems like Iration Steppas, Jah Voice, Tabot sound and most of all the great Jah Shaka sound system.
The Young Warrior’s DJ sets of which he started his public career taking him far & wide has a very new however old school sound playing roots & culture dub music from the 70′s till now in the traditional Shaka warrior style connecting with the elders who attend Shaka dances but also with the younger and new generation so they can also get a piece of his own musical message.
Young Warrior makes his Scottish debut on the mighty Messenger Soundsystem for Session 4. An unmissable session.
Session: 4
Date: 4th March
Venue: The Bongo Club