Following on from our recent article and a subsequently amazing performance from Puerto Rico’s Calle 13 back in July, we are pleased to announce the line-up for the second installment of this year’s Ibiza Roots Festival on August 20th. The outdoor event will take place underneath the stars at the Recinto Ferial de Ibiza in Ibiza Town. Kicking off at 7pm, you can get a map of the location right here.
Reggae legend Alpha Blondy will be accompanied by multi-racial band The Solar System and it is hotly anticipated as a performance that will go down down in Ibiza music history. Hailing from the Ivory Coast, Africa’s most iconic living Reggae star has released no less than 17 albums.
Blondy is also a Peace Ambassador for the United Nations and his unique African style offers a reggae sound which plays with a series of fusions contributing enormously to the wider genre of World Music. We. Can’t. Wait.
Alpha Blondy will be joined by Gadjo Global Gypsy Collective. Originally from Gadjistan and currently based in Barcelona, this talented band combines grooves as diverse as gypsy-cumbia, balkanic-ska, reggae-swing and surf tango.
Also appearing are El Rosto de la Medusa (The Face of the Medusa) who, based right here in Ibiza, combine electronic and acoustic music with distinct psychedelic elements. Having seen the Rostro boys perform a couple of times here on our beautiful island, we’re looking forward to their infectious energy and addictive rhythms ripping up the dancefloor. Oh yeah.
Eagerly anticipated too is African dancer and choreographer Papson Sylla who hails originally from Alpha Blondy’s homeland, the Ivory Coast. Now based in Paris, this accomplished performer and teacher combines traditional and contemporary African culture to produce a unique fusion of African dance which is both precise and delicately beautiful.
Lovers of African percussion are in for a real treat with the appearance of Wontanara. Led by master percussionist Johnny Trama who is based right here in Ibiza, prepare to be rocked from the inside by hypnotically tribal rhythms that incorporate dance as a complementary expression of the music. We’re willing to bet our life savings (currently about €5) that you are absolutely incapable of keeping still.
Add a great mix of DJs, VJs and theatrical performances and you’re looking at a very tasty programme. Tickets cost an extremely reasonable €25 in advance and you can get them right here. Kids under 10 go free.
If you're currently in Ibiza, then you can also pick up at tickets from these outlets:
Ibiza: Delta Discos, Savia, Closer (by Burger King in the port).
Santa Eulalia: Disquería Holiday and Guaraná.
San Carlos: Las Dalias
San José: Es Racó Verd
San Jordi: Can Jordi
Santa Gertrudis: Musset
San Antonio: Tattoo Mystic
So there's no excuse to miss out on this amazing World Music gig. We’re going with bells on. See you there!
WORDS | Jane Charilaou
