BelDUB's 2023 summer preview: a bubbling festival guide
Go back 22 June, 2023
Summer is here and so is the festival season! We at BelDUB headquarters wanted to give you a small guide of where to go as a soundsystem head during the Summer of 2023, both inside and outside of Belgium. In and outernational! Just scroll down to read all about it. Trust us. It’s well easy star.
Couleur Café (23-25/06/2023)
Kicking off with one gorgeous beauty of festivals with a long tradition: Couleur Café! Things seem all set to cook up a delicious pot of tasty musical delight. Lovers of live roots music will not be disappointed by the likes of Protoje, SOJA, Mortimer, and Kabaka Pyramid. So what’s out there for the lovers of a gutshaking bass? The Dub Stage of course!
For some years, the Brussels based festival has a Dub Stage as part of their line-up. The stage used to be hosted and programmed by the locals of The Roots Corner Soundsystem. But since 2022, Reggaebus took over the hosting duties. In all honesty, we’re noticing less variation in the line-up compared to The Roots Corner days. Reggaebus is hosting the Dub Stage with their own sound and most of the artists we see on the line-up seem to be chosen once more from the select group that appear at Reggaebus-related events.
Friday kicks in with some serious sound pressure and dub bangers, the line-up is filled to to the brim with hard digital dub producers by the likes of Bisou, Dub Engine, Mahom and Kanka. On Saturday, we’ll get a live show by Bristolians Joe Yorke and Eeyun Purkins, followed by DJ-sets by King Shiloh and Iration Steppas, and a set by Italian producer duo Wicked and Bonny. On the third and last day of the festival, Reggaebus programmed the French producer Atili and the Swiss Little Lion Sound, who’ll host an Anthony B showcase as well. Closing of the Dub Stage at Couleur Café 2023 is Vandal, who’s rather a hardtek than a reggae/dub artist, as far as we know… Looks like CC ’23 is the place to be for digital dub heads. With all respect due to the artists and the producers, but we personally feel like this line-up could use some variation and some excursions to more rootsy regions. Three days of heavy digi steppers might be a bit rich. But hey, maybe we’re just getting old. As they say in Brussels: des goûts et des couleurs on ne discute pas!
Roots Reggae Festival (30/06/2023 & 01-02/07/2023)
Up next, we’ve got Roots Reggae Festival in Ghislain (near Mons). Next to the award for the most original festival name, these guys are also contenders for the award regarding the most original festival line-up of Summer 2023. Focusing on live acts, with killer bookings by the likes of Queen Omega, The Cimarons and Linval Thompson , there’s somewhat less soundsystem activity on this festival. Nevertheless, it gets a mention in this article since organizers Jah My Vibration are hosting the soundsystem stage with their own sound for three days in a row. Guests on the sound are the Dutchies from Black Star Sound on Saturday and Dub-Up Hifi on Sunday.
Zion Station (Italy, 6-9/7/23)
Time to take this crazy roadtrip outernational! And what could be a better place for a holiday festival than Italy? We’ve been hearing positive rumors about Zion Station from the Belgian dub family for some years now. Alas, the first editions of the festival were always in June – one of the months yours truly is locked to his desk correcting exams. Since last year, the festival moved to the first full weekend of July, a decision gratefully applauded by us. Last year, we could finally reach, and we weren’t disappointed to say the least. What a wonderful place to meet likeminded idren and sistren from all over Europe.
Belgians like to call Zion Station “the Italian Irie Vibes, but with a lake”. If that doesn’t ring a bell for our international readers: it’s a cozy, small-scaled festival and the organizers try to keep it that way. The festival site is actually located next to a lake with a small hotel, a campsite and a swimming pool.
Zion Station is located in the village of Portomaggiore, a 1 ½ hour train ride away from Bologna. There’s a shuttle bush to the festival from Portomaggiore’s train station. If you would like to stay around after the festival and make a holiday out of it: the Mediterranean Sea is only a good hour drive away, and Emilia-Romagna is one of the most beautiful regions the cradle of Latin civilization has to offer. In may, parts of Emilia-Romagna were flooded by exceptionally heavy rains, with consequences comparable to the drama of the Vesder valley in Wallonia. Fortunately, Ferrara and Portomaggiore were spared from this disaster.
No stress running from stage to stage to see your favorite acts: Zion Station keeps it simple with a Lake Yard and a Night Yard. In the day, you can chill at the swimming pool and dance at the lake with local soundsystems and international artists. At night, you can jump and skank in front of the larger speaker stacks.
I tip my hat to the organization for the epic line-up they managed to assemble. Big reggae singers headlining the festival are no less than **Horace Andy, Ranking Joe, Vivian Jones, Martin Campbell, Rod Taylor, Jonah Dan, Dub Judah, Benji Revelation, Loubna ** and Belgium’s pride: singer Marijah longside Unlisted Fanatic and the Moonshine Horns. A pleasure to see these strongholds of the Belgian scene finally get the attention they deserve.
You don’t like singers, you’re one of these guys who like to put their head in a scoop? Then get ready to get your eardrums crushed (or you know, maybe just buy some earbuds if you want to keep enjoying music) by the likes of Iration Steppas, Imperial Sound Army (celebrating their 10th Anniversary, backed by MC Sammy Dreadlocks), Heavy Rootation, Black Star Line, Echotronix, Bass Healing Hi-Fi, Militant Youths and Black Lion Hi-Vibes Sound System.
By the way, Dan-I from Imperial Army organizes a dubplate recording room on the festival, so bring some money for these sound specials!
But that’s not all. On the campsite, you’ll find a little building that’s worth a visit. This is where the Italian Roots Rev Soundsystem strings up. Roots Rev is more than just a soundsystem, it’s an ongoing research project in vintage audio, speaker building, valve amps, preamps and sound effects with some history.
You wouldn’t believe how far they go to find the original equipment they operate. Original Errol valve amps, Barracuda pre’s, unique sound effects. These men are serious about investigating the history and traditions of soundsystem culture. This reflects not only in their outstanding selection of early reggae and roots, it’s also their entire attitude to playing the music in a traditional way. On Saturday evening, it will be a hard choice between the Night Yard and the set of Hitman & Fiza + a surprise guest. BelDUB has the honour to cover the festival, so expect some updates and interviews, ‘watch this space’! Even though that’s a boomer thing to say. Where have you gone so quickly, Myspace days.
Stepping Stone Festival (Belgium, 8/7/2023)
Can’t make it zo Zion Station? Belgium to the rescue. In Houthalen in ‘the’ Limburg, the 2nd edition of one-day soundsystem festival Stepping Stone takes place. We haven’t made it there ourselves yet but we have love for every outdoor festival! Hosted by Jezabel Soundsystem, different crews will come and share a vibe. Sure Solar Soundsystem, Eyez Clozed Soundsystem, Sailah Soundsystem, Lunatik Soundsystem and Limburg kings Equality Soundsystem will have the vibes to make you jump and skank.
Dub Camp (France, 12-15/7/2023)
For those driving back from Zion Station in Italy still hungry for bass: ztart zpeaking vit ee french accent and set sail to la douce France, because Dub Camp is ready for you! If you got used to the cozy atmosphere of a small festival, you’ll need some time to get used to the burning heat and dusty plains of Dub Camp. Just joking, but not really. Dub Camp grew expansively over the years and is up to its third location. The festival takes place close to the village of Joué-sur-Erdre, next to the banks of Lac de Vioreau. There’s a lot of nature on and around the festival site, and since Dub Camp claims to be an eco-event, they take care of a respectful approach to the environment. At the other hand, the festival site itself resembles the dusty plains of Dour Festival (BE). Take some good sunscreen with you because last year, it was hard to find some refreshing shade outside of the stage tents.
Enough complaining, because the impact of the efforts from **L’association Get Up! ** to spread soundsystem culture in Europe can’t be underestimated. Last year the festival gathered 29.000 dub hungry bredren, let’s see if they can round it up to 30.000 this year. They just might, because this is one hell of a line-up. With over 5 stages and dozens of soundsystems artists, animations and lectures, it’s hard to choose from this programme. But here are some highlights you cyaan miss.
Blackboard Jungle brings their entire 24 scoop soundsystem to the dance to the Camp Arena, where it all happens on wednesday. Who remembers these golden years with Blackboard Jungle in Reggae Geel’s 18 Inch Corner? Guests on BBJ Sound are Ranking Joe, Amoul Baji, Nish Wadada, One Nation Sound and a live concert from the players of instruments, Blackboard Dub Symphony.
How about the next day’s programme, with the last set EVER of King Earthquake in the Outernational Arena , who announced he plans to retire from the game? Speaking of coming in rough on a Thursday. Same day same Arena, French dub producer Zulu Vibes - who you might remember from his memorable set on Dub-Up Hifi a while ago- has a box full of bass meditation just for you. And if that wasn’t enough heavy dub for you, greedy bassjunkies as some of you are (just admit you might have a bit of a habit going on there), Concrete Lion feat. Kai Dub & Dubtronics will provide your precious bass shot. Yeah, we know where we would stick around. In the DubClub Arena, Brain Damage plays a live set, same place for Manudigital feat. Caporal Negus taking care of the needs of digiheads. And that’s just the second day!
On Friday, the program widens up with some welcome variation. Paolo Baldini Dubfiles mixes live dubs in the Outernational Arena. Iration Steppas revamps their 90ies dub-meets-house project Kitachi, with Russel Rubles and Dennis Rootikal on live instruments. If you never heard of Kitachi, check the documentary on Iration Steppas “Ina Vanguard style”. If you enjoy crossover style, Congo Natty feat. Blackout JA & Iron Dread is a good second to add. And if you’re up for roots and digi vibes inna UK meets JA style, go check man like Daniel Tuffs from Shaolin Sound in the Rootsman Corner.
Meanwhile, in the Dub Club Arena, Mark Iration’s apprentice Huw Williams strings up the green bass dragons from Sinai Soundsystem, eager to drop green fire in the dance. Sinai built a green monster of a soundsystem that’s able of shaking the foundations of small cities, but maybe in a friendlier way than Daenerys Targaryen did in GOT. Dracaris!
Get ready for some PROPER pressssssure, because O.B.F. Soundsystem deyah in the same Arena to celebrate their 20 years existence. Last but not least, Zion Gate Hi-Fi remains a firm favourite of the roots crowd in the Uplift Corner.
On Saturday, we applaud the Blakamix set from Mixman with singer Special A. inna killer combination. Come and dream away on these meditative 90ies UK vibes! In our humble opinion, some of the best dub music we know was made in this era, before it all became tik-tak-tik-tak-boom-boom-boommm. Mixman will make the dubby bed for you and when you’re all comfortable, Special A will take you away on a dream.
Can’t get enough of that sweet sweet UK dub music? Keety Roots will recharge your heart and soul in the Dubclub Arena. And if you like your roots vibes, head to the Uplift Corner for the raw valve power of Chalice Soundsystem. If Pablo and Youthman are planning to overclass the set we saw on Wadada Festival, it will be certified roots heaven. Sanga Mama Africa Soundsystem from Paris plays a home match. If you experienced one of their Belgian sets this year (Dub Unit and Guiding Step), you’ll be probably up for more of that killer conscious selection. As usual, roots empress Black Omolo is there to chant Rastafari and warm the hearts of the people.
Sadly, there’s one more retirement sessions we have to mention. 10 years after they started their journey, the French builders of RDH Hi Fi, decided to terminate the sound project. Dubcamp honors this stronghold of the scene with a final session in the Outernational Arena. Respect to this crew for spreading the culture and providing young builders with knowledge and equipment.
First-day Dubcamp followers might regret how big the festival has become, this is like a Dour of Dub. And when a festival grows this much, a new crowd comes with different drugs that don’t have much to do with the original inspiration of roots and culture. A lot of youths come for the rave experience powered by dubious chemicals. So if big crowds aren’t your thing, the centre of the Outernational Arena might not be your thing. At the other hand, the rave thing isn’t omnipresent and the festival offers enough alternatives, like the Jukebox Arena where smaller sounds play sweet roots music.
Dubcamp has something for everybody! And say hi to our reporter Bram Lembrechts if you see him.
Dour Festival (13-16/07/2023)
From 13th to 16th July 2023, Dour Festival takes place. Dour has been programming reggae and soundsystem acts for years and their Dub Corner has become a notorious stage over these years. This year, we have two big French soundsystem hosting the Dub Corner. On the first two days, Legal Shot will bring their boxes and on the last two days, Blackboard Jungle will do the same. Both sounds have played at the festival many times. In our humble opinion, Dour could’ve also dug a bit deeper to book artists that generally appear less at Belgian events and thus give their line-up the special push that lures a lot of die hard reggae- and soundsystem fans to the festival.
On day one, Legal Shot is joined by the Brazilian Feminine Hi-Fi collective, Stoneman and Congo Natty ft. Blackout JA and Iron Dread. These last ones being described on the festival’s website as ‘the best of London’s Jamaican scene,’ but that sounds a wee bit overgeneralized to our ears. Friday 14th July is without a doubt the most interesting day to make the trod to the Dour grounds as a reggae lover. Opening the Dub Corner are the Brussels based soundboys and -girls from 54 Sound, who are currently one of the main sounds in the capital and hosted the Dour Camping Stage in 2022. They’re followed by yet another Biga Ranx associate, Jael, and the Real Rockers collective out of Porto. If you’re in for an authentic rub-a-dub experience, Real Rockers are your main act for Dour 2023! Legal Shot will wrap up day two with a rather special showcase combination. On the one hand, they’ll feature reggae veteran Vivian Jones, who never fails to deliver; and on the other hand, young dancehall artist Vanzo will be on microphone duty.
For two days in a row, Blackboard Jungle will bring their friends from Rouen, Steppin’ Forward Hi-Fi, to join them in the Dub Corner. Steppin’ Forward brings an extremely versatile selection, from soul to rocksteady to rub-a-dub. On Saturday, we’ll witness performances by Unlisted Fanatic’s UFO Collective (Marijah & The Moonshine Horns), who are taking a stand internationally this year, and Leeds veteran Iration Steppas with his sparring partner Macky Banton on the mic. The final and last day of the festival brings us Reggaebus Sound, another 20th anniversary set by O.B.F. and a singer showcase by Blackboard Jungle with Nish Wadada and Ranking Joe.
RastaPlas (The Netherlands, 14-15/7 & 26/8)
Seems to be the one thing all our international recommendations have in common is the presence of a lake. Closer to home, you’ll find the RastaPlas Festival (best name ever) at the beach of recreational park Noord AA in Zoetermeer.
There’s a dubcorner, hosted by Masego Soundsystem with Danman and Ras Kayleb on the mic on friday and Indica Dubs on saturday. Indica Dubs invites Qualitex Roots Vibration, Forward Fever, Equality Sound and Dreadical Warriors. Sounds mucho decent to me already, but what’s even better is the line-up of the live stage. Shows of Twinkle Brothers, Marcus Gad, Linval Thompson, Rootsriders, Eazzup, Anthony Johnson and Manu Digital feat. Caporal Negus.
And don't worry if you have to miss this one, because you'll get a second chance at the 26th of August, when Culture headlines one day of Rastaplas Inna City. Culture you say? Didn't Joseph Hill pass away years ago? Sadly, he did. But his son, Kenyatta Hill now carries on his father's legacy as Culture's lead singer.
Why should we make things more complicated than they are? No need to book a flight, ask a bredda for a carpool and you’ll have a budgetfriendly festivalweekend with great music. What do you want more?
Irie Vibes Roots Festival (21-22/07-2023)
No weekend off for the true reggae travellers. Next up: Irie Vibes Roots Festival. As usual, the Irie Vibes line-up does not disappoint and offers your that extra special push we’ve mentioned above. Friday night is sound meeting night in Kortemark. This year, we’ll witness a meeting between Jah Youth Roots Ambassador, who’ll bring their full sound and crew over from East-London to West-Flanders, Masego Soundsystem out of Rotterdam and our very own Kingstep Soundsystem. A night that feels hot already!
On Saturday, live concerts will be interspersed with soundsystem acts, hosted by lamp-powered Rootsworkers Soundsystem from Dunkirk. The Ghent veterans of** Unfication Sound** and the younger Jah My Vibration Sound from Mons will play a set there. London dubplate master Ras Digby is also on hand this year. With some fifty years of soundsystem experience, first with Sir Jessus Sound from Shepherd's Bush, later with Great Tribulation Sound and to date as a solo artist, Digby always manages to charm the audience with the rarest dubplates from his collection; a must-see for sure!
It won't be a legendary afterparty like the one that went on until a decade ago, but Lille-based Chalice Soundsystem will be closing the festival in 2023. After their seven-hour set at Wadada Festival, the dance they will host at Irie Vibes promises to be a blast as well.
Wood U Dub (Italy, 29-30/7/2023)
While at Zion Station, we discovered a little recommendation for who might be around the region of Venice at the end of July. Above Udine lies Tramonti di Sotto, where Wood u Dub (great name) is taking place, an initiative of Italian soundsystems Black Lion Hi-Vibes and Rockers Dub Master, who meet on a soundsystem conference on Saturday. Located in a freash area by the river side, the festival headlines Alpha Steppa feat. Nai-Jah. Zion Station residents Heavy Rotation Soundsystem invite guests like Warrior Charge, on Saturday there’s a soundsystem conference with Black Lion Hi-Vibes and Rockers Dub Master.
Reggae Geel (05-06/08/2023)
Reggae Geel changed the name of their 18” Corner to ‘Dub Forest’ and cancelled their Tallawah stage. The latter fact meaning that we won’t get any soundsystem acts focused on ska, rocksteady and early reggae (like Sounds & Pressure in 2022) at all. On Friday, the Dub Forest will be hosted by Youth & Truth with their powerful Stakx Solutions Soundsystem. Fellow Belgians Metta Frequencies, West-London based King Alpha and Toulouse based Hitman & Fiza will perform as well.
On Saturday, King Shiloh Soundsystem is once again chosen to host the Dub Forest stage. Anyone who has been to Reggae Geel for years knows that this means that only the artists Bredda Neil deems worthy enough will play at a decent soundsystem volume, that he will still massively overpower them during his own sets AND that the artists unknown to him (and therefore often local Belgian) will play at a volume that rivals their own living room installation. Let's hope for the young lions of Uptown Hi-Fi that this prediction is incorrect, because it is and remains quite an honour to be booked as a Belgian sound crew at Reggae Geel. Next to these two names, the Dub Forest will also feature UK legend Dennis Bovell. Whether it was with his Jah Sufferer Sound System in the 1970s, as front man of the band Matumbi, with dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson or as producer of numerous lovers rock hits; Bovell is and remains a multi-talented and all-round performer. That being said, we’re not entirely sure if Mr. Bovell is worth spending your without a doubt limited budget on as a soundsystem selector nowadays. We’d rather see him perform with a live band.
Speaking of live bands, day two of Reggae Geel’s Dub Forest will also showcase live sets from Mad Professor, who never disappoints with his huge catalogue of Ariwa tunes and dubs, and Roberto Sanchez with Linval Thompson. The latter are highly recommended: the ever sharp-sounding Jamaican veteran Linval Thompson paired with Spanish virtuoso Roberto Sanchez, dubbing out riddims in a style worthy of Thompson Sound and Channel One.
Humble Festival (11-12/08/2023)
Speaking of composing an original and versatile line-up with a limited budget! Humble Festival is free of charge and takes place in a small field in the far west of Belgium, with a beautiful view on top. The lads from Studio Humble have succeeded in creating a wonderful concept and in 2023, they have once again put together a great line-up, combining both international guests, local heroes and lesser known, upcoming sounds. On both days, the festival is hosted by the Studio Humble Soundsystem. From the international camp, we’ll get DJ sets by producer and collector Shaolin Sound (UK), Handyman (FR) and Reemshot & Tosh (FR). Next to them, Kortrijk locals Rectitude and young guns Roots Retainers and Warre Warrior are on the line-up. Representing the dancehall front are Irie Nation & Jamafrican Crew. And last but not least, veterans Pirates Crew from Ghent will also perform at Humble Festival.
Him DUB Festival (Portugal, 30/8-3/9/2023)
We all know how dub festivals are at their best in their early days, because there’s some natural mystic in the air and the magic of people creating something new. In Portugal, HIM Dub Festival pioneers the roots & culture vibes and spreads the soundsystem culture. Unfortunately it takes place right at the start of the Belgian school year which makes it hard to reach, something we really regret because this one looks like a treasure to discover. We already heard very positive stories from bredda Roel, who was there with his I-Topia record stand last year.
You might think Portugal is too hot in these times, but think again. HIM Dub Festival is located in a mountainous area next to the beautiful Côa River. It might get hot, but you’ll find refreshment under the trees or you can even go skinnydipping in the river!
Him DUB has 3 stages of music, workshops, therapies, lectures, gastronomy, culture and art to offer. Rastaman Camp setting up! There’s time for music, but also for a break with meditation, connecting with one another and the environment. There are even separate areas for Healing (massage and reiki); Reasoning on subjects as rastafari, dub, permaculture, soundsystem, therapy and local culture; and one for Workshops. There’s a Rastafari Cultural Area, where the main goal is to make known and share the cultural history and the experience of Rastafari in Portugal. Plus a River Area, a Kids Area and a market. In their own words: “The Festival aims to develop an important human and social economic relationship with the participants and the audience of various nationalities and cultures as well as the collaboration with the region through activities that aim at its growth and development.”
On the music side, there are two stages. The Dub Temple is the main area, surrounded by greenery and powered by Blackboard Jungle and the locals from Nomad Embassy Sound System, established in 2020. The River Station focuses on the Portuguese reggae scene, powered by Jah Life International and Mindel Reggae Sound System.
The performing artists are the Amoul Bayi family with singers Galas and Saa Karim, Empress Shema, Higher Meditation with Nia Songbird, Gussie P, Jerry Lionz, Siren Sisters, Zofa, Zulu Vibes, 48 Roots, Jah Youth, DJ Kullar, Blakamix' Mixman, Nick Manasseh, Wise Rockers live, Micah Shemaiah, Earl Gateshead, Channel One, Belgium's very own Creative Dubs, and last but not least, expect some deep deep vibes from Robert Tribulation’s Word Sound & Power. Last time we saw Robert play in Europe he burned up his speakers and amps, so let’s hope he will go gentle on the Nomad Embassy Sound. For the Belgians looking for a little holiday to close off the summer with, I wouldn’t hesitate and just book that flight. Nice to know: HIM Dub offers tickets with a flight included.
Concluding this article, we can state that the die-hard reggae- and soundsystem fans will in 2023 find what they are looking for at the smaller core festivals by the likes of Irie Vibes Roots Festival and Humble Festival. These two prove that it’s perfectly possible to provide your audience with a diverse and interesting line-up, even if you have a limited budget to work with. Being certified reggae nerds, our humble advice to the bigger commercial festivals like Couleur Café, Dour and Reggae Geel is the following: don’t necessarily jump on the hype train, don’t forget your roots and don’t be afraid to invest in lesser-known, upcoming but promising artists. Playing it safe is always the easiest, but putting in research and work secures your name and reputation, and makes sure the core target audience you’re aiming for will return year after year.