Wah yuh ah duh dis weekend? Yuh a guh Dorset fah kick up rumpus?

Well, after the phenomenal success of last year’s inaugural Wilkswood Reggae Festival, an awful lot of people will be doing just that... heading to the middle of the beautiful Purbeck countryside on the outskirts of Swanage to enjoy a family-friendly weekend of roots, dub, ska and dancehall from Friday to Sunday, 14-16 July.

Bringing together more than 40 reggae and ska artists, the entertainment at Wilkswood spreads across three stages that'll also feature an eclectic range of acts including sound-systems, DJs, acoustic performers, comedians and poets.

The Main Stage features an all-star line-up that includes Brinsley ‘Aswad’ Forde, Tippa Irie and the Lockdown Band, Janet ‘Silly Games’ Kay, Mad Professor and the Ariwa Posse (featuring Sister Aisha, Sister Audrey and Chukki Starr), plus fresh roots rockers Dubheart, ska sorcerers Bombskare, the world fusion of Afro Tallawah and pioneering producer Prince Fatty

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The Selector Stage brings together some of the country’s mightiest sound-system setups (imagine the deep bass rhythms of Notting Hill Carnival relocated to the great outdoors) and includes Mikey Dread’s majestic Channel One Sound, the heavyweight dancehall of Bristol’s Unique Star and the live percussive dub of Gavin ‘Fullness’ Sant.



Finally, the DJ Derek Memorial Stage – named in honour of the legendary Bristol DJ who sadly passed away last year – will be showcasing an eclectic mix of sound-systems, selectors, DJs, acoustic acts and spoken-word artists.

As well as a compelling and varied lineup of live acts, the festival will feature a Kid’s Zone, including story-telling, lessons in pottery, stone carving and jewellery making, bushcraft skills and even a cinema showing family favourites.

There'll also be some after-hours fire-pit areas for winding down into the small hours once the little ones are safely tucked up.



With streetfood stalls – including the genuine Jamaican cuisine of the Jerkshak (jerk chicken, curry goat, rice and peas, callaloo, patties, akee and saltfish), Purbeck Paella’s Spanish dishes, wood-fired pizzas and the Wilkswood Farm barbecue – plus a bar serving ice-cold Red Stripe, Purbeck Cider and real ales from the Dorset Brewing Company there's everything you need for righteous rocksteady rumpus.

Tickets to Wilkswood cost £80 for full adult festival admission and three nights camping (including camper vans, caravans and parking). To encourage families, it’s just £40 for under-17s, £10 for under-13s and under-threes go free!

For more details visit the Wilkswood Reggae Festival website.