The Selecter
Ahead of this year’s Positive Vibration festival Getintothis’ Dave McTague caught up with Paul Duhaney of Africa Oyé – who gives us his picks from this year’s jam-packed reggae line-up.
In 2017, Oye is working with Positive Vibration, supporting them as part of the Oye25 – the 25th Anniversary Celebrations, and here, Paul takes us through a few of his personal highlights from the upcoming Positive Vibration festival.
Now in his 18th year of working for Africa Oyé, he has been responsible for the development of the Oyé festival, organising tours, educational workshops and other events across the UK, as well as representing Oyé, Liverpool and the UK internationally.
Headlining this year’s Positive Vibration festival will be legendary 2-Tone band The Selecter and king of the sound system – Jah Shaka.
The Selecter – Missing Words
“The first type of music I was into growing up in Tottenham was dub and reggae so it’s great to see some real heavyweights on this lineup.
“Out of the headliners you could really pick any of them and not go wrong, but the nostalgic side of me has to go for Scientist. I remember buying everything he ever did when I was growing up – just for the album artwork! His set should be unreal.”
Scientist – Space Invaders
Speaking of artwork, this year’s festivities also see the return of ‘The Art of Reggae’ exhibition – a successful collaboration between Positive Vibration and the International Reggae Poster Contest (IRPC), celebrating the global achievements of reggae and its impact on the world. Posters will be on display – and for sale in a blind auction – at Constellations.
“Dennis Bovell is one of the real pioneers of the London reggae scene and again brings back some great memories for me so he’s definitely one of my highlights.” Paul continues.
He’s not wrong. As well as being a reggae pioneer, Bovell’s influence is profound, and the acts this prolific musician and producer has worked with are eclectic and influential to say the least; the Slits, Orange Juice, Madness and Linton Kwesi Johnson to name but a few.
Jah Shaka in Babylon, with soundtrack by Dennis Bovell
“Don Letts is a living legend and his DJ sets always go down a storm. If you missed him at The Shipping Forecast, make sure you don’t miss him at Positive Vibration!
“The Shipping Forecast show was part of our ‘#Oye25′ year too, with support from two of Oye’s regular DJs – Richie Vegas and Keith Marley, and there are some amazing Liverpool-based DJs at Positive Vibration again this year.
“Look out for No Fakin’ – we’ve worked with them for the last two decades, they’re always keeping the hip-hop, funk and soul vibe going strong in Liverpool. I’m also looking forward to seeing One A Penny take the stage again – a much loved and long established Liverpool 8 soundsystem.”
With Channel One Sound, Aba Shanti-I, and many more also on the bill, the line-up is fit to burst; Positive Vibration 2017 is not to be missed.
Positive Vibration takes place in the Baltic Triangle at various venues on June 9 and 10.
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