Bangmix Stage – DJ Lineup Announced
David Katz, DJ Shunz, Kiki Slawter, Sistren Shirley, Warriah Force and Reverence Sound all feature on Wilkswood’s outdoor stage
The Bangmix Stage always boasts the most diverse lineup of the Wilkswood Reggae weekend. Acoustic guitars, tribal drums, dance troupes, singer-songwriters, comedians, DJs, soundsystems, poets and story-tellers all share the stage, bringing a multi-ethnic, cultural and illuminating range of acts.
Bangmix curator, Kim West, has again gathered another stellar lineup of over 30 eclectic acts, including some top drawer DJs and selectors. Alongside David Katz, DJ Shunz, Kiki Slawter, Sistren Shirley, Warriah Force and Reverence Sound, confirmed DJs include South Beach Recycling, Freedem Sound System, Higher Power Sounds, Ringo, Green Lion, Kipling Brown, Rankin Tom, Dan Sykes, Reggae Recipes, Roots Jukebox, Blackboard and DJ Boomslang.
David Katz
Wilkswood Reggae 2024 is pleased to be presenting high grade performances on both its Jah Spirit Stage and Bangmix Stage by eminent reggae writer and deejay, David Katz.
Born in San Francisco but long resident in London, David Katz has been running the original vinyl reggae night ‘Dub Me Always’ in Brixton for over 15 years, hosting a range of luminaries from the sound system scene, including Sir Coxsone Outernational, Dennis Bovell, Gladdy Wax, DBC, Tighten Up Crew, Wassie One, Jah Observer, Ras Kush, Pirate’s Choice, Moa Anbessa, Joe Ariwa and Ras Digby, among many others.
The author of People Funny Boy: The Genius of Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry and Solid Foundation: An Oral History of Reggae, Katz’s writing and photographs have appeared in various books and periodicals such as Newsweek, Mojo, The Guardian, Riddim, Wax Poetics and Caribbean Beat, and he has annotated over 100 retrospectives of Jamaican music. Katz has also co-hosted radio programmes on Jamaican music and culture for the BBC and Public Radio International, such as Ring the Alarm: A History of Sound System Culture and State of Emergency: Reggae Reflections of Jamaica’s Partisan Politics, and contributed to documentaries and feature films, including Dub Echoes, Dub Stories, Les Racines Du Reggae: Jah Rastafari and Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry’s Vision of Paradise.
As a DJ, Katz has supported Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, Mad Professor, Horace Andy, Aswad, Rico, the Heptones and the Twinkle Brothers, among many others, gracing stages throughout the UK and Europe, as well as the USA, Brazil and Japan. In the festival arena, he has appeared at the London International Ska Festival, Moogfest, Overjam and the International Dub Gathering, and Reggae Geel. Hosting panel discussions with numerous noteworthy performers and practitioners at Rototom Sunsplash, Overjam, Reggae Geel and other venues. During the last 15 years, Katz has also released original records in the UK, France, and Japan, the latest being a remix EP of material by Cornell Campbell and Soothsayers, reworked with Tokyo-based musicians for Kyoto’s Riddim Chango Records.
DJ Shunz
Wilkswood Reggae 2024 warmly welcomes DJ Shunz to this year’s Bangmix Stage for a highly anticipated set of Afrobeat infused vibes.
DJ Shunz is an award-winning international DJ and producer hailing out of south-east London, who has built an illustrious career and vibrant following. Shunz has had many years of experience within the radio industry and her musical journey began at age 17 working for Capital Xtra (formerly Choice FM) as a radio show producer and personal assistant to the infamous reggae presenter, DJ Natty B.
Since 2017, Shunz has played a widespread variety of party nights and diverse events – including for the Grammy award winning artist, Lecrae (Reach Records) in London and Rotterdam.
Kiki Slawter
After a stunning debut on last year’s Bangmix Stage, Wilkswood Reggae 2024 welcomes the return of devoted roots and dub selectress, Kiki Slawter. Kiki represents the best of the new generation in the UK and internationally. She is a seasoned selectress with a mission to spread uplifting and unifying vibes through roots reggae music.
Kiki’s journey began in 2017 with the introduction of the groundbreaking platform, AmpFreQQ. This resonant dub filter unlocked a universe of endless sonic potential and Kiki has mastered skills in live mixing and dubbing, adding an exciting extra dimension to her sets.
When she’s not performing at soundsystem events, festivals and party nights, Kiki Slawter proudly presents the monthly ‘FreQQ Show’ on Real Roots Radio. Always aiming to captivate and connect with live audiences in unique ways, Kiki maintains the vibe with engaging social media shorts that entertain and inspire her followers too.
Sistren Shirley
Wilkswood Reggae Festival warmly welcomes Sistren Shirley to the heartical connection on its Bangmix Stage. Shirley is a reggae selector and record collector from London whose sound has grown through a deep love and appreciation of early classics to tuff dubwise, roots rockers and ’90s steppas.
Inspired by pioneering soundsystem sessions from the late, great Jah Shaka and the inimitable music of legendary Black Uhuru, Shirley puts the heart and soul into uplifting selections. As a resident selector on Real Roots Radio (London) expect to hear a blend of conscious vibes and her strictly vinyl sessions can be found on Mixcloud too.
Sistren Shirley has performed at many unforgettable reggae events in the UK including Lambeth Country Show, Dub Me Always, Brixton Jamm, the Apex HiFi Empress Sessions and for Real Roots Sound System.
Warriah Force
Warriah Force – aka Dubette Naomi – returns with her heavy duty dub to the Wilkswood Reggae Festival. Keen to promote all artists and producers around the world, Naomi has worked with many artists, singers and sound crews over the years with dance promotions across the country. She is a member of the Artikal Vibes radio station and has worked with many notable sound systems, bringing this rich experience to her performance, mixing the old and the new into a fresh, exciting set.
Reverence Sound
Southampton’s much-loved Reverence Sound make the short trip up the south coast once again to light up the Bangmix Stage at this year’s Wilkswood Reggae Festival.
Inspired by original Jamaican sound systems, Reverence Sound delivers roots music as its meant to be heard: LOUD & CLEAR! Guaranteed to blaze it up whether inna sound system clash or bringing the vibe with guest selectors and MCs, expect Reverence to deliver the very best in roots ‘n’ culture, reggae and steppas.
