The preliminary list of talent for the 2012 Austin Reggae Festival is as follows:

The headliner for Friday, April 20 is the dancehall star Collie Buddz, who is best-known for the single “Come Around.” Although born in New Orleans, he was raised in Bermuda — but he now calls Toronto home. Buddz brings a very strong international following to the Austin Reggae Festival.

Also performing on Friday, April 20 is New Kingston. Pioneering a new sound they call “reggae crossover,” New Kingston consists of three brothers. Tahir a.k.a. SLIM, the youngest member on keyboards/vocals; Courtney on drums/vocals; and Stephen a.k.a SUKI, the oldest on guitar/vocals.

The headliner for Saturday, April 21 is South African outfit Tidal Waves, who write and perform original reggae music with traditional African music influences like Maskandi and Mbaqanga. The sound is original roots reggae with strong rock, ska and blues influences. They are renowned for performing music in English, Afrikaans, Setswana and Tshivhenda.

Also performing on Saturday, April 21 is Dubtonic Kru. Originally from Jamaica, this band’s songs and spoken words are consciously thought-provoking, while their rhythm/dub section walks through the passage of time with a gritty sound that rolls stones and break fences.

Also performing on Saturday, April 21 is Black Gandhi, a Barcelona-based act that had developed a solid fan base in Europe and entered the US market at the 2011 SXSW Music Festival. Black Gandhi has released two albums to date: “Joy” and “Into Light.”

The headliner for Sunday, April 22 is Grupo Fantasma. This electric Austin-based orchestra plays everything from jazz to funk to (yes) reggae. Grupo Fantasma gained a Grammy for “Best Latin Rock, Alternative or Urban Album” for their latest album, El Existential.

Also performing on Sunday, April 22 is another Texas favorite, Cas Haley. The the runner-up on Season 2 of America’s Got Talent, Haley turned heads with his amazing acoustic version of the long-time Police favorite “Walking on the Moon.”

For Sunday, April 22, each Single Day ticket allows two-for-one admission. In other words, purchase a ticket for yourself and your friend can get in free (if he / she accompanies you to the event). This two-for-one deal is only good for Sunday, April 22 — and patrons must enter Auditorium Shores at the same time.

Advance tickets allow you to save. Cost of day-of-show ticket sales will be $20 each. All ticket sales are final — no refunds.

Remember that a portion of ticket sales for the Austin Reggae Festival benefits the Capital Area Food Bank. In 2011, the Austin Reggae Festival raised $207,484.12 to help this worthy charity end hunger in Austin and surrounding communities.

More talent (as well as day-by-day schedule) for the 2012 Austin Reggae Festival announced soon via this website.

Austin Reggae Festival patrons can also purchase tickets for the 2012 event beginning at noon Central Standard Time on Wednesday, February 1. If purchased in advance online, single day tickets are $15 plus service charge. Or, buy a 3 Day Pass for the 2012 Austin Reggae Festival for just $35 plus service charge.

Tent Permits will also go on sale on Wednesday, February 1 at noon via this website. Cost for Tent Permits for 2012 are $10 per day plus service charge. Tent Permit is NOT valid for entry unless accompanied by a matching Single Day Ticket or by 3 Day Pass. Tent Permits are limited. These Tent Permits will sell out very quickly, so we encourage you to buy yours immediately. Tent Permits are NOT for overnight camping — no overnight camping is allowed at Auditorium Shores.

Stay tuned to the Austin Reggae Festival website for complete details on bands and ticketing information.

Remember that a portion of ticket sales for the Austin Reggae Festival benefits the Capital Area Food Bank of Texas. The 2011 Austin Reggae Festival raised $207,484.12 for this worthy cause.

Last year, the Austin Reggae Festival raised $207,484.12 to help the Capital Area Food Bank end hunger in Austin and surrounding communities. These funds helped provide nutritious meals for more than 650,000 hungry families. The Austin Reggae Festival firmly believes that access to food is a basic human right.

The Capital Area Food Bank nourishes hungry Central Texans by providing food and grocery products to more than 355 Partner Agencies in 21 Central Texas counties. Additionally, the Capital Area Food Bank provides free educational programs for these Partner Agencies, as well as various other organizations.

Wow — $207,484.12 to fight hunger!! You guys rock!!

For lots of great memories from the 2011 Austin Reggae Festival, browse the Photos and Videos sections of this website. For information on ordering 2011 Austin Reggae Festival t-shirts, e-mail austin reggae fest at gmail dot com.  Dates for the 2012 Austin Reggae Festival are Friday, April 20 thru Sunday, April 22! Stay tuned to austinreggaefest.com for specifics.