Victoria Ska & Reggae Fest - Reminding the world of the importance of community, through music.

Thursday afternoon in Victoria’s inner harbour: clear skies, cool breeze off the water, and all the funky beats a music fan could ask for. As the warm sounds of Trippycals, a band fronted by siblings from Mexico, kicked off the first day of Ska Fest 2026, I realized how much I’ve come to love the festival, and its commitment to being first and foremost a festival about community. Trippycals were followed up by Alpha Centauri, a Canadian MC by way of Zimbabwe with a smooth flow and an even smoother backing band, and the festival was officially underway.

Alpha Centauri doing the damn thing. Photo courtesy FOTO (Filter Out the Ordinary).

Now entering its 27th year, the festival is as much a part of the fabric of a Victoria summer as tourists downtown or Canada Day fireworks at the parliament buildings. And how could it not be? With some of the most affordable ticket prices for a festival anywhere, the free inner harbour shows on Wednesday and Thursday, and a killer lineup of musicians from around the world, Ska Fest has something for everyone. Watching the crowd on Friday during Melafrique's incredible set (I really dug them. If you get a chance to check them out, do it!) and then Clinton Fearon's excellent reggae jams, it was like looking at a cross-section of the city – old folks rocking out, parents with their kids, teenagers, that one guy with the stuffed monkey who I've seen at every single Ska Fest I've attended – music lovers of all stripes represented.

Against All Authority basking in the power of musical communion. Photo from FOTO (Filter Out The Ordinary).

Saturday night at the curling club, as the thunderous sounds of Five Alarm Funk washed over the crowd, looking at the people around me, sweaty, joyful, alive, some of them friends, some strangers, all of us joined together in a singular experience, it served as a strong reminder that events like this are important, especially in the sometimes dire times in which we live. Tanika Charles singing about relationships in her inimitable voice is a thing everyone can understand, an experience that resonates with everyone. The Black Seeds came all the way from New Zealand, half a world away, but their music bridges that distance with ease.

I had at least three people reach out directly to tell me how much they loved Tanika Charles’ performance. Photo from the big dawg, FOTO (Filter Out The Ordinary).

This then is my review of the 27th annual Victoria Ska and Reggae festival: in this, the year of our lord 2026, music is important, the arts are important, shared experiences are important, community is important. If you can look at the person next to you and realize they too are rocking out to the same damn song you are, then you have recognized in them and in yourself your shared humanity, a thing as important now as it's ever been.

I had a glorious time.

But did have you as glorious a time as Thomas Towers? Probably not. Photo courtesy FOTO (Filter Out The Ordinary).

I come out of a long slumber.

Hey friends.  It's been too long since I've been posting all my real talk and dope-ass interviews here. But really, I've been quite busy. So this is just a quick little update to let you know what I've been up to.

Last weekend was the Phillip's Backyard Weekender here in Victoria and I was there doing coverage for Exclaim!. If you weren't there you should read up on the shows there, highlighted by De La Soul completely destroying. But I shouldn't be surprised, it's how they do.

Night 1 with Cat Empire, the Dirty Heads and the Expendables. 

Night 2 with De La Soul, Buck 65 and SonReal 

The week before that was the Victoria Ska Festival  , which remains, hands down, the best week of music here in Victoria each year. It's just a ton of fun, which is always great because I don't really like ska music. Well, ska revival music. But the lineup is always diverse and lots of fun. The organizers are also great people who just love music. Sure, there's money involved, but it's a whole lot more love. I've worked pretty closely with the Ska Society over the last couple of years doing interviews in the run-up to the festival and reviews during the festival. This year was no different. Here is a roundup of ALL my Ska Fest-related pieces that have kept me away from you lovely people.

Interview piece with Logan Bell from Katchafire. 

Interview piece with Dub FX. 

Interview piece with Kris Wood of Blackberry Wood. 

My Ska-Fest listening primer. 

Days 1 and 2 of Ska Fest with Sierra Leone Refugee All-Stars, Blackberry Wood and the Revivers. 

Days 2 and 3 of Ska Fest with Blitz the Ambassador, Tanya Stephens, Dope Soda and David Hillyard's Rocksteady 7.

Much respect to Yasiin Bey. Headliner at the 14th annual Victoria Ska Fest. Photo by me.

The final day of Ska Fest with Yasiin Bey (Formerly Mos Def) and Dub FX. Also, why I love Ska Fest so much.

And just a couple of weeks before that was the Victoria Jazz Fest, always a stellar time. I only did one interview leading up to it, but it was a real doozy. I also did media coverage for my home publication, the Martlet.

Interview piece with soulman Lee Fields. 

Review of Five Alarm Funk's set at Centennial Square. 

Review of Vieux Farka Touré at Sugar Nightclub. 

Review of David Gray Infinity Quartet feat. Macy Gray.  

I've also done up a couple of reviews for LyfStyl Music. Big ups to them for giving me another place to talk music. There's never enough space.

My review of Kanye West's Yeezus .  (In retrospect I would like to re-rate this record at like a 6.5 or maybe 7.)

Review of the Uncluded's Hokey Fright .

Same props and respect for the Coastal Spectator. The place I got my first paid article published. I've been doing some reviews around town for them as well. Much respect, Andrea and Lynne. 

 Review of Eddie Spaghetti's sweet new record, The Value of Nothing .

 Review of Victoria all-girl rock band White Hot Jet's debut performance.

Review of Blackberry Wood at Logan's Pub.  

So there it is. When it's all laid out in front of me it's actually kind of amazing how much I've been doing lately. But it's not enough. I love writing and I love being forced to do it.  There's more on the way, as always, so stay tuned. And as always, if you know of some awesome music that needs my attention, please leave a comment or drop me a line.  

Much respect,

Rags

Lee Fields at Victoria Jazz Fest. Taken by Kim Jay with my camera.