Montreal RISE Reggae Festival will have Caribbean music in the spotlight for its inaugural staging at Bassin Peel quay in Griffintown, August 8 –10.

The event is co-presented by Taste of the Caribbean (TOTC) and Nouvelle Vie, in co-production with The Mahaba Youth Alliance. The three-night celebration of Caribbean music will feature top artistes from the reggae, dancehall, and soca genres.

“Bringing RISE Reggae to Montréal is a dream come true,” says Orlando Newton, CEO of Nouvelle Vie.

 He added: “We’ve watched this city’s appetite for authentic Caribbean culture grow, and Bassin Peel is the perfect stage to unite communities through music and create memories that last a lifetime.”

The organisers promise an “unforgettable” experience with “electrifying performances”. Moreover, they said the festival will offer an intimate, yet full-scale production featuring major international headliners.

Among the headliners billed for the festival are reggae crooners Anthony B, Kranium, and Romain Virgo. Soca queens Alison Hinds of Barbados and Patrice Roberts of Trinidad & Tobago will create a fete with St Vincentian Skinny Fabulous. Representing dancehall will be Demarco, Sister Nancy, Lady G, and Massive B.

Each evening will also spotlight special performances by Quebecois and Canadian artistes, celebrating local talent alongside global stars.