The breezy, jovial rhythms of reggae are set to fill the air at The First International Reggae Music Festival in Manila, which will gather some of the genre’s most well-loved acts, both foreign and local, on April 16 at the Mall of Asia Concert Grounds in Pasay (call 470-2222 or 891-9999).
The event will be topbilled by Inner Circle, the Grammy-winning Jamaican group behind the songs, “Bad Boys” and “Sweat (A La La La La Song),” as well as Big Mountain, best-known for its hit version of Peter Frampton’s “Baby I Love Your Way.”
“We are grateful for the love from Filipinos,” vocalist Joaquin McWhinney said in a video posted on the official Facebook page of Big Mountain, which played shows in Cebu and Boracay last year.
The group has also recorded a Taglish cover of “Kapayapaan” by local reggae luminary Tropical Depression.
Aside from Tropical Depression, other local acts joining the musical event are Cocojam, Indio-I, Coffeebreak Island, Skarlet, Brownman Revival, Reggae Mistress, Bahaghari, Chocolate Factory, Collie Herb, The Blanc and I-Dren Artstrong. Allan Policarpio