The 2024 Coconut Festival is set for Saturday, August 24, at 3 Deanery Road in Vineyard Town, Kingston, Jamaica. Organized by Jasmin McIntosh and her team at Brojahtosh Label, this event is more than just a music festival; it’s a family fun day and a treat for children. The festivities for families and kids will run from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., followed by a two-hour intermission before the live performances begin.

Leading the lineup this year are 70s roots reggae singer Fred Locks, famous for his mid-1970s single “Black Star Liners” and the album of the same name, and Rastafarian vocalist Turbulence. They will be joined by a host of artists, including Jah Thunder, Booba Starr, Yahdeen Essence, Michelle Irie, Jah Gideon, Karamanti, and Jennifer Barrett, among others.

The 2024 Coconut Festival is being sponsored by Suncity 104.9 FM, Nicies, Roots 96.1 FM, Reggae to Reggae Radio & TV, Bung Bang, DJ String Promotion, and more. Admission is J$1,000.

SDMC Entertainment Inc. presents Kings in Action, a reggae concert headlined by the one-and-only Luciano. It will be held at Club Amazura in Jamaica, New York, on Friday, September 6th. The starting time is 9:00 p.m.

Even though Luciano is the main act, other artists are also on the program, namely Lil Twitch and Khalia. All performers will be supported by Derrick Barnett and his band of musicians. Kings in Action will be hosted by Davhed Levy, and Road International will provide the juggling.

General admission for this event is US$60, but early bird tickets are currently going for US$40 via All Events and Eventbrite.

Since the late 1970s, VP Records has been instrumental in getting reggae, dancehall, and soca music on platforms usually reserved for mainstream genres. This year, the New York-based record label and distribution company celebrates its 45th anniversary.

One of the events on their agenda is the Peetah Morgan tribute concert, scheduled for Saturday, August 10th, at Central Park in Manhattan. It will feature performances by Morgan Heritage and friends. This show is also a part of the Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage free outdoor festivals.

The city of Miramar will present an Ole Time Fair on Saturday, August 3rd, in honor of Jamaica’s Emancipation and Independence. It’s a free event that will be at the Miramar Amphitheatre at Miramar Regional Park in Florida. It will start at 3:00 p.m. and end at 11:00 p.m.

As this is a live music, entertainment, and cultural showcase, it will feature performances by Ernie Smith, Ed Robinson, Richie Spice, Super Cat, and Gramps Morgan. They will also have a kids zone and a farmers market.

North Andros, one of the largest of the 31 districts of The Bahamas, is gearing up for a major event on Friday, August 2nd. The 1st Annual Big Yard Fest will be held at Off Da Road Bar and Grill (Queens Highway, North Andros), and it is expected to attract Bahamians from all islands and stimulate economic growth in North Andros.

The festival will be headlined by international reggae artist Richie Spice, who hails from Jamaica. Bahamian performers Jah Hem, Shine, and Bobo Tino are also on the lineup, as well as top DJs Unruly Ajay, Fresh International, DJ Kozmo, DJ Melody, and DJ Ting. Click here to buy tickets.

On Sunday, July 28th, the 14th edition of the Simmer Down Festival was staged at Handsworth Park in Birmingham, United Kingdom. Known as one of the UK’s largest music and arts festivals, the event is all about celebrating the rich cultural diversity of the city of Birmingham.

This year, Miss Beverley Kelso, the only surviving member of the original Wailers, was honored with a lifetime achievement award. She was a backing vocalist who sang on approximately 25 tracks with the group between 1963 and 1965. The deaths of Junior Braithwaite in 1999, Cherry Smith in 2008, and Bunny Wailer in 2021 have left Beverley Kelso as the only living person from that ensemble.

In addition to honoring Beverley Kelso, Simmer Down also featured Grammy artist Julian Marley, who performed with The Uprising Band, Queens of Lovers Rock, Janet Kay, and Carroll Thompson, as well as Peter Hunnigale, Peter Spence, Keisha White, Macka B, Mad Professor, and many more.

Unfortunately, as Beverley Kelso was unable to attend, Kelvin Grant, of the 70s British reggae band Musical Youth, received the award on her behalf. That said, click here to see her response to getting the Lifetime Achievement Award.