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

FRIDAY, APRIL 20
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.

SATURDAY, APRIL 21
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.”

SUNDAY, APRIL 22
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 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.”

More acts announced soon!

Click here to buy advance tickets for the 2012 Austin Reggae Festival.p.

PAST PERFORMERS
Acts that have performed at the Austin Reggae Festival since 1994 include Ashes of Babylon, Az One, Cas Haley, Culture, D.R.U.M., Easy Star All Stars, Grimy Styles, Israel Vibration & the Root Raddics Band, Josh Heinrichs, Killer Bees, Luciano, Mau Mau Chaplains, Mystic Roots, Qwiksand, Roots Revealers, Sierra Leone Refugee All Stars, Skampidia, Skatalites, Spiritual, Spoonfed Tribe, Subrosa Union, Taj Weekes, Tribal Nation, Tribal Seeds, Wailing Souls and many many more.

CHARLIE’S DUB CORNER
Charlie’s Dub Corner is an on-going reggae soundsystem party that happens every year during Austin Reggae Festival, featuring some of the finest selectors, DJs and performers of reggae music in Texas, showcasing roots reggae, dub, dancehall, dubstep and more on the mighty Dub Organic Soundsystem.  Charlie’s Dub Corner is brought to Austin Reggae Festival attendees as a free bonus by Austin Reggae Festival and Charlie’s Records, a place to chill out in the shade, eat some food, meet up with old and new friends, hear some music and feel the vibes.  At Dub Corner we present music in the roots reggae tradition and pride ourselves on a diverse selection of styles and sounds.  Even the most seasoned reggae lover will hear something new and interesting “pon the corner.” 

Charlie’s Records is a label based in Buda, Texas, focused on reggae and dub music, releasing quality sounds by local and international artists on vinyl, CD and digital download. The label is run by artist and producer McPullish, and CEO Charlie the Cat, and has been organizing and running the Dub Corner at Austin Reggae Festival for the last 4 years.