“This one gonna be lively”, Gemma Brown’s latest blog post predicts a hot summer (whatever the weather) as JA Live and Fire in Babylon team up again, this time they will be hitting the road with a series of ruff and tuff West Indian infused events!  

Promoter JA Live who is known for bringing the biggest and best reggae stars to Scotland has joined forces yet again with Fire in Babylon the Glasgow based social enterprise; “Bringing people together through West Indian food, music and culture” as their mission statement says.

Through their Roots and Culture Roadshows they will be jointly hosting a series of events all over Scotland promoting West Indian culture, food and most importantly music.

JA Live and Fire in Babylon have been creating some of the best cultural events in Glasgow for the past little while (they were responsible for the Reggae Burns supper featured on our blog back in February). Now The Roots and Culture Roadshow will be launching with a weekender event in Glasgow –  a free, three-day event from Friday May 31 till Sunday 2 June at DNA Glasgow on South Frederick Street. The line up includes Law, ESA, and Argonaut Sounds, reggae set by Harri from Sub Club plus legend Tippa Irie powered by Samson Soundsystem! More acts are to be announced. No such thing as half measures with these guys. This one gonna be lively!

The first roadshow event will be in Edinburgh on June 24 at Studio 24. Reggae greats The Congos will be the main musical attraction plus an authentic Caribbean cook up and BBQ.  The Congos and the Roots and Culture team will be heading to Glasgow the following day to do it all over again at the event in SWG3. And more events will be taking place at locations all over Scotland, so to keep up to date with what is going on be sure to like Fire in Babylon Presents on their  Roots and Culture Facebook page.

West Indian influence is as strong as ever in Glasgow, there are so many events taking place across the city all the time. JA Live is constantly putting on big events; he just had the Abyssinians playing O2 ABC, he’s still hosting regular events at MacSorleys Music bar and there is also a JA Live blog coming soon. Meanwhile Argonaut Sounds are in charge of respectable events ( did you catch Earl Gateshead as selector of riddims at Blackfriars on 17th May?). They also host the Dutchy Pot every Thursday in the 78. The big rig breddahs Mungo’s Hi Fi still have their weekly residency at The Berkley Suit with Walk and Skank as well as travelling the world playing events and festivals.  So many things going on just now!  If this is your styleee then these events will be right up your street.

PS: Remember Glasgow Music Tourers are entitled to 10% discount on main meals at MacSorley’s – all you have to do is present the app or MP3 player to a member of staff. Just the once mind 🙂